The language of terror: exploring speech acts in official English-language ISIS videos, 2014-2017

Yuanbo Qi

Small Wars and Insurgencies, 2020, vol. 31, issue 6, 1196-1241

Abstract: This study provides an empirical analysis of 79 official ISIS English-language videos and uses Quentin Skinner’s analytical approach to examine the prevalence of and changes in the speech acts used in the videos. The results show that directive, expressive, and assertive were the most common classes of speech acts and that threatening speech acts were featured most prominently. This study concludes that the fundamental semantic intention of the videos is to mobilise the addressees to align with the group’s demands and the video might serve more than simply recruitment, but as a diplomatic/negotiating tool for real-world events that ISIS faces.

Date: 2020
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DOI: 10.1080/09592318.2020.1775055

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