A Critical Discourse Analysis: Uncovering Gender and Institutional Stereotypes in President J.P. Magufuli's Speech
Presenter Status
Adjunct Professor, Center for Intensive English Program
Presentation Type
Oral presentation
Location
Buller Hall, Room 250
Start Date
24-5-2019 2:55 PM
Presentation Abstract
Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) provides a conceptual framework for political discourse and other types of discourse to uncover gender stereotypes and unfair presuppositions. This paper demonstrates how gender and institutional stereotypes, unfair presuppositions, and power abuse can be investigated and uncovered using CDA, by analyzing President John Magufuli’s speech delivered on Thursday, June 22, 2017. This speech was delivered at the occasion of inaugurating the new Msata road in Bagamoyo. The analysis shows the President’s misuse of power when he uses the occasion to advance his agenda on the policy of banning pregnant girls from school. While President Magufuli seems to be concerned with poverty as has been his motto since his presidential campaigns, in reality, his rhetoric has the effect of driving teen girls and all women further into poverty, by denying them their right to formal education. The President’s unfair presuppositions uncover his ideologies and stereotypes towards gender and certain institutions in Tanzania.
Biographical Sketch
Ruth Mwashinga, M.A, is an adjunct at the Center for Intensive English Program (CEIP) where she teaches and help students who studies English as their second language.
A Critical Discourse Analysis: Uncovering Gender and Institutional Stereotypes in President J.P. Magufuli's Speech
Buller Hall, Room 250
Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) provides a conceptual framework for political discourse and other types of discourse to uncover gender stereotypes and unfair presuppositions. This paper demonstrates how gender and institutional stereotypes, unfair presuppositions, and power abuse can be investigated and uncovered using CDA, by analyzing President John Magufuli’s speech delivered on Thursday, June 22, 2017. This speech was delivered at the occasion of inaugurating the new Msata road in Bagamoyo. The analysis shows the President’s misuse of power when he uses the occasion to advance his agenda on the policy of banning pregnant girls from school. While President Magufuli seems to be concerned with poverty as has been his motto since his presidential campaigns, in reality, his rhetoric has the effect of driving teen girls and all women further into poverty, by denying them their right to formal education. The President’s unfair presuppositions uncover his ideologies and stereotypes towards gender and certain institutions in Tanzania.
Acknowledgements
I thank Dr. Eun-Young Julia Kim for her encouragement and motivation.