Document Type
Paper presentation
School Name
De La Salle University Integrated School
School Code
ARCH00088
Abstract / Executive Summary
Power plays a crucial role in politics; in most cases, the majority would say that those in power would always dominate. However, Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) can tell people otherwise. This study looked into the interview of Philippine President Bongbong Marcos and Sarah Ferguson in an ABC in-depth 7.30 interview. The study aimed to identify how socio-cognitive factors played a role in the powerplay of the president and the interviewer during the interview and how power was demonstrated by both individuals in the discourse. Through CDA, the researcher also used the Cognition-Discourse-Society Triangle framework to analyze the interview. Findings have shown that President Marcos continues to be powerful as a power elite due to his access to various situations and discourse; however, his identity as a Marcos remains questionable in international politics. Conversely, Sarah’s identity as an Australian has highlighted her white supremacy, and this gave her the power to ask controversial questions during the interview. Her access to social knowledge and facts has augmented her power as an Australian interviewer. Lastly, this study contributes to the field of English Language Education as it teaches educators and learners to be critical thinkers for themselves and society.
Keywords:
Critical Discourse Analysis, Critical Discourse Studies, power, dominance, political discourse
“May I Just Ask You Why That’s Funny?”: Exploring Power and Dominance in BBM’s 7.30 Interview
Power plays a crucial role in politics; in most cases, the majority would say that those in power would always dominate. However, Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) can tell people otherwise. This study looked into the interview of Philippine President Bongbong Marcos and Sarah Ferguson in an ABC in-depth 7.30 interview. The study aimed to identify how socio-cognitive factors played a role in the powerplay of the president and the interviewer during the interview and how power was demonstrated by both individuals in the discourse. Through CDA, the researcher also used the Cognition-Discourse-Society Triangle framework to analyze the interview. Findings have shown that President Marcos continues to be powerful as a power elite due to his access to various situations and discourse; however, his identity as a Marcos remains questionable in international politics. Conversely, Sarah’s identity as an Australian has highlighted her white supremacy, and this gave her the power to ask controversial questions during the interview. Her access to social knowledge and facts has augmented her power as an Australian interviewer. Lastly, this study contributes to the field of English Language Education as it teaches educators and learners to be critical thinkers for themselves and society.
