MARGINALYSING THE MARGINALIZED: BORROWING OF THE CPEC DISCOURSE BY POLITICAL AGENTS FROM POLITICAL ELITE

Abstract

This study aims to explore the: use of linguistic features; political discourse borrowing by media agents; and representation of the marginalized (i.e. Baluchistan, KPK, and Sindh provinces) in media and political discourse. In this regard, the content of three programs of a TV talk show (Report Card), and three political speeches (by Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, an ex. Prime Minister of Pakistan) about China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) have been analyzed by applying a critical discourse analysis (CDA) models. Results reveal: the skillful use of linguistic features (e.g. modality, personal pronouns, repetition, self and other markers etc.); discourse borrowing by media agents from political elite; and the marginalization of the already marginalized. The study concludes that: linguistic manipulation is central to political and media discourses; power, ideologies and context play significant roles in the selection of linguistic devices; and media agents borrow ideologies from the political elite to win public sympathies and shape socio-cultural practices through discursive strategies