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From Complexity to Clarity: The Evolution of Language and Populism in Swedish Parliamentary Debates Through the Four Phases of Mediatization

Andersson, Anna LU (2024) SKOM12 20241
Department of Strategic Communication
Abstract
This paper investigates the intricacies of language complexity in political discourse within the Swedish parliament, with a focus on understanding the impact of mediatization. Drawing on Strömbäck's four-phase framework of mediatization, the study examines whether the internalization of media logic has led to a simplification of language in parliamentary debates. Using a quantitative approach, the study analyzes linguistic features and readability indices in parliamentary statements spanning a 30-year period. Contrary to expectations, the results reveal a statistically significant increase in language complexity over time, challenging the notion of a linear trend towards simplification. Furthermore, the study examines the relationship... (More)
This paper investigates the intricacies of language complexity in political discourse within the Swedish parliament, with a focus on understanding the impact of mediatization. Drawing on Strömbäck's four-phase framework of mediatization, the study examines whether the internalization of media logic has led to a simplification of language in parliamentary debates. Using a quantitative approach, the study analyzes linguistic features and readability indices in parliamentary statements spanning a 30-year period. Contrary to expectations, the results reveal a statistically significant increase in language complexity over time, challenging the notion of a linear trend towards simplification. Furthermore, the study examines the relationship between populism and language complexity, finding no significant difference in language complexity between parties with populist features and others in the sample. These findings suggest a nuanced understanding of mediatization dynamics in political communication and highlight the need for further research to explore alternative dimensions of mediatization and its implications for political discourse. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Andersson, Anna LU
supervisor
organization
alternative title
Navigating Political Complexity: Mediatization, Populism, and Rhetorical Strategies in Contemporary Discourse
course
SKOM12 20241
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
language simplification, LIX readability test, political communication, four phases of mediatization framework
language
English
id
9171064
date added to LUP
2024-08-05 13:47:37
date last changed
2024-08-05 13:47:43
@misc{9171064,
  abstract     = {{This paper investigates the intricacies of language complexity in political discourse within the Swedish parliament, with a focus on understanding the impact of mediatization. Drawing on Strömbäck's four-phase framework of mediatization, the study examines whether the internalization of media logic has led to a simplification of language in parliamentary debates. Using a quantitative approach, the study analyzes linguistic features and readability indices in parliamentary statements spanning a 30-year period. Contrary to expectations, the results reveal a statistically significant increase in language complexity over time, challenging the notion of a linear trend towards simplification. Furthermore, the study examines the relationship between populism and language complexity, finding no significant difference in language complexity between parties with populist features and others in the sample. These findings suggest a nuanced understanding of mediatization dynamics in political communication and highlight the need for further research to explore alternative dimensions of mediatization and its implications for political discourse.}},
  author       = {{Andersson, Anna}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{From Complexity to Clarity: The Evolution of Language and Populism in Swedish Parliamentary Debates Through the Four Phases of Mediatization}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}