Lexical innovation and linguistic continuum as discursive strategies in the Shiite political discourse in Lebanon
Résumé
Hassan Nasrallah, the indisputable leader of a movement entirely committed to his presentation of political news, was known for his exceptional oratory talent. His frequent speeches were the subject of passionate attention. Their broadcast by various local and regional channels guaranteed him an audience spanning the Arab world, regardless of political or religious orientation. A knowledgeable preacher, this popular speaker, whose political discourse was tied to the history of the Shiite community and marked by Islamic references, mastered every code of oratory to perfection. Shifting with ease, depending on the moment’s demands, from Modern Standard Arabic to the most characteristic dialect of southern Lebanon, Hassan Nasrallah always knew exactly which methods to use to reach his audience. Based on a corpus of some thirty live-transmitted speeches, this study presents the discursive strategies employed to persuade the masses.