Framing the Nation: Emotion and Authority in Slovak Political Language

Ivana KAPRÁLIKOVÁ 

https://doi.org/10.53465/JAP.2025.9788022552806.211-227

 

Abstract: Our research examines how Slovak political leaders construct emotional authority and implicit power through language. Using Critical Discourse Analysis, it analyses statements by Robert Fico, Peter Kmec, and Tomáš Taraba, representing populist, technocratic, and far-right perspectives, focusing on metaphor, modality, repetition, and pronoun use. Fico employs nationalist metaphors and confrontational rhetoric, Kmec uses reassuring, procedural language, and Taraba draws on fear and moralistic appeals to frame national issues. These patterns show how linguistic choices shape ideology, national identity, and political legitimacy. The research also highlights the educational value of discourse analysis, demonstrating how integrating CDA into university programs can foster critical literacy, helping students recognize manipulation, bias, and power in political and professional communication.

Keywords: emotional framing, implicit power dynamics, critical discourse analysis, Slovak political rhetoric

Fulltext: PDF

Language of the paper: English

Online publication date: 23 December 2025

Pages: 211 – 227

 

ISBN: 978-80-225-5280-6 (online), 978-80-225-5279-0

ISSN: 2729-8973 (online), 2729-8981

Publisher: Bratislava University of Economics and Business, Vydavateľstvo Ekonóm

 

How to cite this conference proceedings paper (APA 7^th Edition):

Kapráliková, I. (2025). Framing the Nation: Emotion and Authority in Slovak Political Language. In R. Štefančík (Ed.), Jazyk a politika. Na pomedzí lingvistiky a politológie X (pp. 211–227). Vydavateľstvo Ekonóm. https://doi.org/10.53465/JAP.2025.9788022552806.211-227