The Language of Manipulation: Linguistic Manifestations of (Inter)Subjectivity and Affect in Distorted Communication in the Lithuanian Political Discourse

Abstract

In post-truth times, information manipulation permeates public and political discourse on an increasing scale. Under post-truth conditions, populists and disinformation purveyors have found a fertile ground to flourish. The aim of the paper is to look systematically at the linguistic properties of ‘populist politics as a discursive practice’ [Gidron and Bonikowski (2013). Varieties of Populism: Literature Review and Research Agenda (Working Paper Series). Cambridge, MA: Wheatherhead Center for International Affairs, Harvard University., no. 13-0004] in Lithuania. Linguistic manifestations of (inter)subjectivity and affect in an interview from a media outlet circulating disinformation are investigated from the perspectives of the Discourse-Historical Approach [Wodak (2002). The Discourse-Historical Approach. In: R Wodak, ed. Methods of Critical Discourse Analysis. Sage Publications, 63– 94. GBR], the Appraisal theory [Martin and White (2005). The Language of Evaluation. Appraisal in English. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan] and the affiliation framework [Inwood and Zappavigna (2023). Attitudes About Propaganda and Disinformation: Identifying Discursive Personae in YouTube Comment Sections. In: S. M. Maci, M. Demata, M. McGlashan, and P. Seargeant, eds. The Routledge Handbook of Discourse and Disinformation. Milton Park: Routledge. doi:10.4324/ 9781003224495]. The findings indicate that the populist actors who build their discourse on certain elements of disinformation may employ a repertoire of complex linguistic tools targeting the sensitivities and insecurities of the target audience. An effective interplay between the language of affect, (inter)subjectivity, communing affiliation, and discursive strategies may result in the increased persuasiveness of disinformation and populist discourse (especially before and during intense pre-electoral and electoral periods such as before and during 2024) and, subsequently, in gaining parliamentary seats or public positions, or, at least, gaining more target audience attention for paving the way for the desired future political career.