Information structure of diplomatic speeches of the UN Security Council in January and February of 2025
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.28925/2311-259x.2025.4.5Keywords:
diplomatic discourse, diplomatic speeches, informational structure of the speeches, diplomatic themesAbstract
The article investigates how the information structure of diplomatic speeches at the UN Security Council in January and February of 2025 influences the outcomes of the discussed issues, focusing on both neutral / formal speeches and those containing inaccuracies or alternative narratives. The study analyzes a corpus of diplomatic speeches using the Sketch Engine tool to identify thematic dichotomies, rhetorical strategies, and discourse markers, with both quantitative and qualitative methodological approaches to reveal speech structure and thematic emphasis. The article’s relevance lies in the demonstration of the direct impact of speech themes and information structure on diplomatic outcomes, highlighting how language shapes consensus and the international decision-making process.
This study aims to uncover how the information structure of diplomatic speeches can change the outcomes of discussed issues in cases when 1) speeches are neutral and formal (378 speeches); 2) speeches have signs of inaccuracy, supporting the alternative version of reality (59 speeches). The more generally discussed an agenda is, the higher the chances of a neutral speech are. Thus, discussed themes have a direct impact on the speech — what will be said, how it will be said, why such information will be given, which details will be revealed, etc.
In terms of diplomatic themes, a set of conceptual-semantic complementary antonyms of the concepts of good vs bad has been identified, which clarifies the dichotomy of themes in all diplomatic speeches that can have influence on the final decisions of the UNSC. Hence, an attempt to explain the frequency of discussed themes is presented. Analysis of the corpora gathered via Sketch Engine reveals that the strongest opposition is peace (1090) and war (352), while helping (0) and hindering (0) is the weakest and was not mentioned at all between January and February of 2025.
Special attention is given to the rhetorical strategies and their tactics, discourse markers which shape the persuasive power of communicators. Ultimately, the findings reveal how the information structure of diplomatic discourse at the UNSC not only reflects broader trends in international negotiation but also serves as a catalyst for shaping consensus and collective action on the world stage. Thus, it has been proven that an average diplomatic speech consists of: 1. A protocol formula; 2. A semantic core; 3. The argumentative part; 4. Statement of facts; 5. Closing remarks, possibly in the form of gratitude / compliment / accusation / instruction for further consideration of the issue, etc.
The novelty of this article lies in the study of the frequency and nature of conceptual-semantic oppositions in recent UNSC speeches, systematically describing the compositional structure of an average diplomatic speech, providing new insights into the persuasive and organizational dynamics of contemporary diplomatic discourse.
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