Matrix constructions such as "I think/mean that..." (cf. Günther/Imo 2003, Hohenstein 2004, Rehbein 2007) play an important role in oral communication, because the speaker can use them to clarify the illocutionary value of his utterances for the listener. By naming the intended speech action (assertion, justification, etc.) in a matrix sentence, the listener is made aware of how the message conveyed to him is to be processed. To this extent, matrix constructions can be a form of communicating "in your face" and accomplish positioning goals.
The paper investigates forms and functions of matrix constructions in oral political discourse. Previous studies on political speeches concerning sensitive issues such as migration have highlighted that rhetoric strategies of the speakers are based on a strong polarisation of the positions in debate (Carobbio 2018). The present study focuses on how polarisation and political positioning are realised in morally-committed political communication by means of matrix constructions. Empirical base of the analysis will be a selection of public speeches of German and Italian politicians, in order to point out interlinguistic and intercultural aspects in the use of matrix constructions as instrument of political positioning.
Bibliography
Carobbio, Gabriella (2018) Strategien der Konsensstiftung im politischen Diskurs zur Flüchtlingskrise im Mittelmeerraum, in: Zanasi, Guisi et at. (eds.) Das Mittelmeer im deutschsprachigen Kulturraum. Grenzen und Brücken. Tübingen: Stauffenburg, 461-478.
Günthner, Susanne / Imo, Wolfgang (2003), Die Reanalyse von Matrixsätzen als Diskursmarker: ich-mein-Konstruktionen im gesprochenen Deutsch. In: Orosz, Magdolna / Herzog, Andreas (eds.): Jahrbuch der ungarischen Germanistik. Budapest: DAAD, 181–216.
Hohenstein, Christiane (2004), A comparative analysis of Japanese and German complement constructions with matrix verbs of thinking and believing – to omou and ich glaub(e). In: House, Juliane / Rehbein, Jochen (eds.): Multilingual Communication. Amsterdam: Benjamins, 303–341.
Rehbein, Jochen (2007), Matrix constructions. In: Rehbein, Jochen / Hohenstein, Christiane / Pietsch, Lukas (eds.): Connectivity in Grammar and Discourse. Amsterdam: Benjamins, 419–447.
