Symbol in Kurdish Political Discourse (A Pragmatic Analysis)

Abstract

Symbols serve as powerful tools for conveying complex or abstract meanings, placing them at the core of language, communication, and cultural expression. Symbolic language is a mode of expression that relies on symbols to convey meaning, acting as substitutes for direct words and literal expressions. In political discourse, political figures utilize linguistic tools and symbols to influence the audience and public opinion, as well as to legitimize power. This study, titled "Symbol in Kurdish Political Discourse," aims to conduct a pragmatic analysis of the impact of symbolic strategies in Kurdish political discourse, based on Abner Cohen's model of political anthropology. It highlights their organizational and pragmatic functions by conducting a detailed analysis of the speech delivered by Masoud Barzani to the public in Sulaymaniyah on September 20, 2017, during the independence referendum campaign. The study adopts a descriptive-analytical approach and utilizes speech act theory. The most significant finding is that the speaker transformed the referendum from a mere political process into a struggle for dignity and existential survival. He positioned the public opinion in Sulaymaniyah such that voting "No" to the referendum implied saying "No" to their own history; this proved to be an effective strategy for mobilizing votes and silencing dissenting voices.