Imran Khan’s Speech at UNGA: A Reflection on Us vs. Them Divide Using Fairclough’s 3D Model in CDA

Abstract

Critical Discourse Analysis views language in use as a kind of social practice, it is often applied to political language (discourse— text, talk, and/or visual), including public speeches. This paper critically analyzes the speech by the Prime Minister of Pakistan, delivered at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on September 28, 2019. The study uses Fairclough's Three-Dimensional Model, to reflect upon "Us" and "Them" in the context of four major themes of the speech: climate change, money laundering, Islamophobia, and Kashmir. The study uses a mixed-method approach for a thorough review of the speech and discusses power within the discourse and power behind discourse. The findings reveal how language reflects the ideology of the political leaders, and how discourse can form and be formed by social practices. The Prime Minister used language effectively to present the ideological dichotomies between "Us" and "Them" in the context of developing countries-developed countries (powerful politically and economically), Muslims - anti-Muslims, and Pakistan/Kashmir - India. He urged the world-leaders at UNGA's highest political forum, after drawing the line of demarcation, to take steps to resolve the differences to achieve harmony and peace in the world. This research enables the common public of Pakistan to understand their leader in terms of the concept of power by comprehending the profounder meaning that language conveys.