Critical discourse analysis of the second inaugural speech of Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to investigate language use in Abiy Ahmed’s second inaugural speech. The study aims to identify the critical discourse analysis elements reflected in the text, as well as the specific socio-cognitive elements used to facilitate communication. To meet these objectives, the study employs CDA as a research method and theoretical framework. As analytical frameworks, Van Dijk’s multidimensional critical discourse analysis and socio-cognitive model were used. The study revealed that at micro-level analysis, lexical items, pronouns, figures of speech, and sayings were used to construct unity—the dominant ideology. Similarly, themacrostructure analysis has shown that topics and macro structures were designed to show unity ideology. To create a unity discourse, cognitive elements such as authority, evidentiality, polarization, and victimization were used by the speaker. However, the text represents the in-groups positively and the out-groups negatively. In short, the language used in the inaugural speech has been used to build unity discourse. The speaker used history as a source of unifying rhetorical devices to persuade the audience and to achieve, exert, and maintain power over them. Furthermore, Abiy’s inaugural speech is primarily comprised of praise for his inner circle and criticism for his outer circle.

Keywords:

• CDA
• Ethiopia
• inaugural speech
• socio-cognitive model
• speech

PUBLIC INTEREST STATEMENT

The article reveals the ideals that Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed conveyed to the people in his second inaugural address following the country’s general election of 2021. This paper attempted to examine the text that the premier made using Van Dijk’s socio-cognitive theory employing CDA as a theoretical framework and as a research methodology. This study unearths how speech functions in Ethiopia during a public address to convey one’s attitude, belief, and ideological position.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The authors received no direct funding for this research.

Notes on contributors

Biset Ayalew Nigatu

Biset Ayalew Nigatuis an assistant professor in the Department of Journalism and Communication at Bahir Dar University. He obtained a BA and a PhD in teaching English as a foreign language and an MA in journalism and communication. He has been teaching different journalism, communication, and English courses at BDU since 2004.

Migbaru Tadesse Admassu

Migbaru Tadesse Admassu is a lecturer in the department of Journalism and communication at Selale University. He obtained a BA in journalism and communication and an MA in media and communication at Bahir Dar University. He has been teaching different courses in Journalism and communication, and English. He is currently working at Selale University, Ethiopia.