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Pre-Election Statement of Bilawal
Bhutto in ‘The Nation’: A Critical
Discourse Analysis of his Statement
Using Fairclough’s 3D Model
What is CDA?
It is an approach to discourse analysis
which seeks to discover how inequalities are
encoded in and reproduced through language use
(Wardraugh & Fuller, 2015). Critical discourse
analysis is a useful tool to extract and reach the
underlying meaning of the text. It aims to
understand ideologies, inequalities and power
relations in a text.
Now it’s Larkana’s turn to
get PM’s slot: Bilawal
Bhutto ( The Nation, 7th
Feb,2024)
Text Dimension:
The text dimension of Fairclough’s model focus on
the language and linguistic features. Bilawal
Bhutto's statement is concise and direct. He states,
"Now it’s Larkana’s turn to get PM’s slot." The
language is assertive and conveys a clear message.
The choice of words, such as "turn" and "PM's slot,"
suggests a political context and implies a sense of
entitlement or expectation.
Discourse Practice Dimension:
In the discourse practice dimension, we examine
how the discourse is produced, circulated, and
interpreted within specific contexts. Bilawal
Bhutto's statement was likely made during a
political event or interview, where his words would
be disseminated through media channels and social
platforms.
Continued:
The statement reflects a political strategy or agenda aimed
at mobilizing support from the people of Larkana, possibly
indicating a political campaign or a bid for electoral
success. The statement could also be interpreted as a way
to position himself or his party favorably in the political
landscape.
Sociocultural Practice Dimension:
In the sociocultural practice dimension, we consider
the broader social and cultural context within which the
discourse occurs. Bilawal Bhutto belongs to the
prominent Bhutto family, which has a long-standing
legacy in Pakistani politics. Larkana is significant in
this context as it is the ancestral home and stronghold
of the Bhutto family.
Continued:

Therefore, when Bilawal Bhutto mentions Larkana in

relation to the Prime Minister's slot, he is invoking the
historical and cultural significance of his family's
political influence in that region. Additionally, the
statement reflects broader political dynamics in
Pakistan, where power struggles and electoral politics
are deeply intertwined with social and cultural factors.
Conclusion
Overall, using Fairclough's framework, we can see
how Bilawal Bhutto's statement operates on multiple
levels, from the linguistic choices in the text to the
political strategies and sociocultural contexts shaping
its meaning and significance.