The Communicative Force of Utterances in US President Joe Biden`s Interview: Context Based Analysis

Abstract

The language users may vary their use of language and therefore there may be
different meanings for one utterance. In presidential speech, communication could be
more problematic if certain characters (listeners) violate or flout the cooperative
principle. Accordingly, the present study seeks to analyze the pragmatic aspect of
communicative force of utterances in six Joe Biden`s interviews in the context and
content of coronavirus, politics, racism, leadership and social relation that were
randomly selected via YouTube. The study aims at discussing Grice's maxims of
conversation, the cooperative principle and how they are sometimes violated or
flouted, and direct vs. indirect speech.
As starting point in this study, the researcher should raise the questions: what
are the factors that affect interlocutors to flout or violate the principles? What are the
possible consequences on interlocutors and listeners when CP maxims are violated or
not violated during the process of interview? It hypothesizes that there are some
linguistic and non-linguistic factors that participate with Cooperative Principles.
According to the results, speakers' uncooperative attitude is mostly influenced by
psychological factors like frustration, irritation, nervousness, anxiety, conflict of
interest, and other factors such as politeness, cheap praise, lack of adequate
information, entertainment, and sometimes deliberate violation. Also, it was evident
that, albeit speakers might not be aware of Grice’s maxims and its Cooperative
principles yet they habitually conform to it in communication process.