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Article published In: Language and Dialogue
Vol. 7:2 (2017) ► pp.163–188

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A rhetorical change that changed reality

Rouhani vs. Ahmadinejad at the UN

 | Wingate Academic College, Netanya (Israel)
Published online: 27 October 2017
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https://doi.org/10.1075/ld.7.2.02kay
Abstract
This paper is the first to explore the development of Iranian rhetoric from former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to the current president Hassan Rouhani, in messages delivered to the international community. The study compares eight speeches given by Ahmadinejad at the UN, to two speeches given on the same platform by Rouhani. The speeches were explored by qualitative research of the prominent rhetorical strategies employed by each president, as well as by quantitative research of the frequently used words in each president’s speeches. The findings reveal a radical change in Iran’s rhetoric since Rouhani succeeded Ahmadinejad in 2013. The newly elected president adopted a moderate, modern and rational discourse regarding both Iran’s attitude to the West and the Iranian nuclear program. The findings suggest that this change made the new president and the “new” Iran possible partners to negotiating with the West, and eventually enabled the historic nuclear deal in 2015.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Research method
  • 3.Theoretical background
  • 4.Analysis and discussion
    • 4.1The speaker
      • Ahmadinejad speaking as the Iranian president
      • Ahmadinejad speaking as a world leader
      • Ahmadinejad speaking in the name of God
      • Rouhani speaking as the newly elected president
      • Rouhani speaking as a world leader
      • Rouhani speaking as a representative of the Middle East
    • 4.2The addressee
    • 4.3The UN
    • 4.4The West
    • 4.5Iran’s nuclear program and the sanctions
    • 4.6Solutions
  • 5.Quantitative analysis
  • 6.Conclusion
  • Notes
  • References
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