Power Relations in Courtroom Discourse: Transcripts of trials in a criminal court - Softcover

Mutambwa, John; Kutsaru, Nhamo

Softcover

ISBN 10: 3844397620 ISBN 13: 9783844397628

Verlag: LAP Lambert Academic Publishing, 2011

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Reseña del editor:

The study was conducted to analyse power relations in courtroom discourse with reference to trial transcripts at Mt Darwin Magistrate‟s Court. The objectives of the study were to describe the power relations that exist between the courtroom participants. In addition, this study made an analysis of how language is used as a symbol of power in courtroom interactions. The study adopted a qualitative approach and used participant observation as a data gathering technique. The analytical framework used was Fairclough‟s (1989) Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) and Brown and Levinson‟s (1987) politeness theory. From the study, it emerged that courtroom conventions constrain the content, form and style of the language used by lay persons. Also, the courtroom conventions impose a degree of politeness to be observed in the court and this has a direct effect on language use. Among the legal professionals themselves, power imbalances exist and the magistrate seems to wield a lot of power and has the overall and final say in all courtroom proceedings.

Biografía del autor:

John holds a Certificate in Education from Morgan, an associate college of the University of Zimbabwe, a bachelor of Education degree in English and A Master of Education degree in Language Education:English. He is employed as a substantive lecturer at UZ. Nhamo holds a BA honours Degree in Enlish from the UZ and teaches English at High school.

Über diese Auflage

• Verlag: LAP Lambert Academic Publishing
• Erscheinungsdatum: 2011
• ISBN 10: 3844397620
• ISBN 13: 9783844397628
• Einband: Tapa blanda
• Anzahl der Seiten: 80