Short Paper 3: Gordon Brown | Villacarlos| Novermber 6, 2023

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INTRODUCTION
In this paper, the Critical Discourse Analysis uses a critical framework to expose the deeper layers
of meaning and ideology by analyzing and criticizing the language used in the speech. The
prevalence of CDA is a valuable tool for scrutinizing discourse in various social contexts. It allows
us to deconstruct language, uncover hidden agendas, and shed light on the power relations and
socio-political factors at play within a given discourse (Wodak, 2009). Additionally, it also helps in
identifying the significance of CDA in language practice by highlighting its role in understanding
the meanings and messages conveyed within specific situations (Mullet, 2018). The basic aim of
critical discourse analysis is to investigate the object of analysis, socio-historical conditions, and
the process. As such this was mentioned by Janks (1997) by stating the three kinds of analysis:
1) Text analysis (description); 2) Processing analysis (interpretation); and 3) Social analysis
(explanation). Most of this paper will be on text analysis as this is the way that will help me
determine and describe what kind of parts of speech are used by the speaker. The data used is
taken from a Ted-Talk video by the former prime minister of the United Kingdom, Gordon Brown.
The speaker presented a topic entitled "Wiring a Web for Global Good". Since the speaker is a
political entity, I must also note the words of van Dijk (1998) as he emphasized that the influence
on the thoughts and actions of political actors is less about the direct impact of the social and
political economy and more about the symbolic economy of language and discourse. However, if
certain extracts of speech show connections between nuanced aspects of textual and
conversational elements and the diverse facets of the political environment, then I, as a
researcher, must also analyze the text in a political context.

FINDINGS
The linguistic features of Gordon Brown have been analyzed first by identifying Parts of the
Speech with a specific focus on the modality of personal pronouns. This facet of the framework
examines how pronouns are employed in the text, distinguishing between inclusive pronouns (our
us, we, etc.) or exclusive (they, their, them, he, she, it, you, your, etc). Additionally, it delves into
the way the author situates the reader and other participants, either as allies and in-group
members, implying a common ground in terms of knowledge, beliefs, and values, or as outsiders
with distinct beliefs and agendas, thereby marginalizing them. Wodak and Meyer (2001),
mentioned that pronouns play a pivotal role in naming individuals and groups, and as such, they
inherently possess political significance in how they define power dynamics. Below are extracted
paragraphs examined in the content of personal pronouns.

Example 1.

What they have in common is what we see unlocked and what we cannot see. What we see
unlocked: the invisible ties and bonds of sympathy that bring us together to become a human
community. What these pictures demonstrate is that we do feel the pain of others, however
distantly. What I think these pictures demonstrate is that we do believe in something bigger than
ourselves. What these pictures demonstrate is that there is a moral sense across all religions,
across all faiths, across all continents -- a moral sense that not only do we share the pain of
others, and believe in something bigger than ourselves but we have a duty to act when we see
Short Paper 3: Gordon Brown | Villacarlos| Novermber 6, 2023
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things that are wrong that need righted, see injuries that need to be corrected, see problems that
need to be rectified. (See table 1)

Table 1. Usage of Personal Pronouns (Inclusive) in Example 1.

Inclusive Pronouns
First Person We (8 times) I (1 time) Us (1 time)
Second Person -
Third Person -

The inclusive pronoun “we” is used most. However, as the speech transversed deeper, the first
person usage of “we” was switched to “I” and “us” once and went back to “we” again, minimizing
the gap between the speaker and the audience disregarding the disparities in age, gender, and
social status. Wang (2010) also cited, this is an approach fostering a sense of proximity between
the audience and the speaker. The speaker insinuated in the paragraph that revealing of the
tangible and intangible aspects of our common humanity is what unites these shared experiences.
On the one hand, they highlight the invisible strands of empathy and connection that bind us
together and create a strong sense of human community. It is because of this, the speaker used
“we”, a politically advantageous pronoun that helps in political speeches to convey a shared
responsibility (Beard, 2000).
Example 2.

I believe there is a moral sense and a global ethic that commands attention from people of every
religion and every faith, and people of no faith. But I think what's new is that we now have the
capacity to communicate instantaneously across frontiers right across the world. We now have
the capacity to find common ground with people we will never meet but who we will meet through
the Internet and through all the modern means of communication, that we now have the capacity
to organize and take collective action together to deal with the problem or an injustice that we
want to deal with, and I believe that this makes this a unique age in human history, and it is the
start of what I would call the creation of a truly global society. (See table 2)

Table 2. Usage of Personal Pronouns (Inclusive) in Example 2.

Inclusive Pronouns
First Person We (4 times) I (4 times)
Second Person -
Third Person -

In this, the first person singular “I” is used equally with “we”. Bramley (2001) stated that in political
speeches, the utilization of the pronoun "I" serves as a means for the speaker to express their
perspective, lending a subjective tone to the speech. It also underscores the speaker's authority
and can be a means to demonstrate empathy towards the audience or to engage in storytelling.
Politicians find the pronoun "I" particularly compelling in their speeches when they aim to convey
Short Paper 3: Gordon Brown | Villacarlos| Novermber 6, 2023
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a sense of competence and responsibility, present a positive self-image, and emphasize their
personal attributes (Bramley, 2001).
According Meyer (2002), categories such as pronouns can be subject to analysis through various
linguistic methods, but he emphasizes their pivotal role in Critical Discourse Analysis. CDA, relies
on the concept of what is referred to as the linguistic surface whether implicitly or explicitly.
Additionally, Chilton and Schäffner (2002) noted that pronouns with a special focus on the first
person plural forms possess the capacity to prompt interpreters to envision notions of group
identity, alliances, political affiliations, and similar concepts, either positioning them as integral
participants or as external entities. These extend beyond mere personal proximity. We will
examine the following excerpts that focused on the third person’s point of view since the speech
is in absent of second person’s pronouns.
Example Set 1.

This is Kim, a nine-year-old Vietnam girl, her back ruined by napalm, and she awakened the
conscience of the nation of America to begin to end the Vietnam War.
This is Birhan, who was the Ethiopian girl who launched Live Aid in the 1980s, 15 minutes away
from death when she was rescued, and that picture of her being rescued is one that went round
the world
This is Neda, the Iranian girl who was shot while at a demonstration with her father in Iran only
a few weeks ago, and she is now the focus, rightly so, of the YouTube generation.
Example Set 2.
Go back 200 years when the slave trade was under pressure from William Wilberforce and all
the protesters.
They protested across Britain. They won public opinion over a long period of time. But it took 24
years for the campaign to be successful. What could they have done with the pictures they
could have shown if they were able to use the modern means of communication to win people's
hearts and minds?

Table 3. Usage of Personal Pronouns (Exclusive) in Example Sets 1 and 2.

Exclusive Pronouns
First Person -
Second Person -
Third Person She (3 times) They (5 times)

These pronouns are part of excerpts that relate to individuals who have experienced a tragedy
and emerged from it to achieve tremendous success. Poggi (2005), noted that Aristotle introduced
three persuasive methods: logic (using rational arguments), trustworthiness (speaker's
credibility), and emotion (appealing to feelings) and that these three persuasive techniques seek
to encourage the recipient to willingly pursue a goal desired by the communicator. This is achieved
by influencing the recipient's beliefs in order to persuade them of the important importance of the
intended objective. The pronouns were used in persuasive methods in Aristotelian concept.
Short Paper 3: Gordon Brown | Villacarlos| Novermber 6, 2023
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CONCLUSION
Gordon Brown's speech in TEDTalks have linguistic elements which have been examined, with
particular focus given to personal pronouns and their function in persuasion. These techniques
are used to instill in the audience a sense of unity and shared accountability. Analysis shows that
there is a change in the speech's pronoun usage. The plural pronouns "we" are used most
frequently at first, but eventually they also contain "I" and "us," which helps the speaker and the
various audience members feel connected to one another. This approach seeks to highlight the
invisible strands that attach us together, thereby strengthening our sense of community. In
addition, the speech uses "I" equally with "we," an approach that gives the speech a more
subjective tone, emphasizes the speaker's authority, and permits the expression of empathy and
narrative. Additionally, there are also excerpts of the speech that utilized third person pronouns in
engaging with the audience and convey the intention of persuading the audience. There were no
second person pronouns used in the speech. This shift in pronoun usage is a common practice
in political speeches is frequently used to communicate competence, accountability, and a
favorable self-image This study also highlighted the importance of pronouns in Critical Discourse
Analysis, where the linguistic surface plays a pivotal role in understanding discourse.

REFERENCES
Ulfah, R. (2020). A Critical Discourse Analysis of Parts of Speech from Ted-Talk Video: How
Language Shapes the Way We Think. Unimed.
https://www.academia.edu/68780580/A_Critical_Discourse_Analysis_of_Parts_of_Speech_from
_Ted_Talk_Video_How_Language_Shapes_the_Way_We_Think

Discourse analysis. (n.d.). CORE Reader. https://core.ac.uk/reader/17278240

Yin, Y., Wakslak, C. J., & Joshi, P. D. (2022). “I” am more concrete than “we”: Linguistic
abstraction and first-person pronoun usage. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology,
122(6), 1004–1021. https://doi.org/10.1037/pspa0000285

The Use of Personal Pronouns in Political Speeches A comparative study of the pronominal
choices of two American presidents. (n.d.). Linnaeus University, 9–18.

The linguist Institute. (n.d.). TED Talks, Gordon Brown: Wiring a web for global good.
https://www.lingq.com/en/learn-english-online/courses/58847/gordon-brown-wiring-a-web-for-
global-g-138657/
Short Paper 3: Gordon Brown | Villacarlos| Novermber 6, 2023
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