Language & Power Podcast: Recent Episodes
Michael Farrelly & Tom Bartlett
Language is crucial to understanding societies. It’s crucial to recognising the ecological, social, political, and economic conditions in which we live. We use language to frame problems, formulate solutions, negotiate, and communicate political and economic pitfalls.
Language is interaction that can accelerate action. But language is also performance, and performances can be used to distract from inaction, to avoid action, or postpone it, as much as to accelerate it.
And language is what we focus on in this second series of the language and power podcast.
In this episode of the Language and Power Podcast, we discuss COP29 held in Azerbaijan in 2024. We analyse media coverage from CNN, BBC, and the New York Times, focusing on the portrayal of Azerbaijan as a 'petrostate' and issues surrounding the credibility of the conference. Analysing the representation of social actors, we compare these media narratives with academic insights from Hayley Walker, who emphasises the role of effective negotiating teams in achieving climate goals. The discussion highlights varying perspectives on the intersection of geopolitics, media representation, and the procedural aspects of COP29.
Hayley Walker research insight
CNN article:Analysis Climate leaders were worried…
BBC article:Climate change - Former oil executive…
NYT article:Why is a Petrostate Holding This Year’s Climate Talks?
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We take a step back from COP28 to discuss what makes a successful text for climate change and sustainability. We analyze different speakers and their approach to addressing these issues, including speakers like Txai Suruí, an indigenous activist; Arnold Schwarzenegger, former California governor; and Jeremy Clarkson, a motor journalist. We examine how these speakers utilize their cultural capital and contextualize their messages for their audiences. We also discuss concepts like intertextuality and positive discourse analysis, ultimately emphasising the importance of a diverse network of voices promoting environmental change.
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A final text from COP 28 has been announced - including the phrase ‘fossil fuels’ for the first time. We discuss this and some of the reaction to the text.
COP28 Final text
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Food, Agriculture & Water was the theme of COP 28 on 10th December 2023. We discuss a new document published at COP28: ‘Achieving SDG2 without breaching the 1.5C threshold: A Global Roadmap - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations’ - in particular, the topic of sustainable fisheries.
COP26 Alok Sharma Opening Speech
COP27 Sameh Shoukry Opening Speech
COP 28 Al Jaber Opening Speech
FAO Document: Achieving SDG2 without breaching the 1.5C threshold: A Global Roadmap
See the podcast on YouTube or join us on Patreon to access discussion boards for every episode; take part in polls on podcast content; see exclusive posts on upcoming episodes; get transcripts of the main episodes.
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Just transition is a theme at COP 28. We discuss the definitions of ‘just transition’ found in documents related to a ‘high level ministerial roundtable on just transitions’ held at COP28:
UN Article: Ensuring No One is Left Behind: First High-Level Ministerial Roundtable on Just Transition
UN Agenda: First Annual High-level Ministerial round table on just transition
UN Powerpoint Slides: First Annual High-level Ministerial round table on just transition
ILO: Guidelines for a just transition towards environmentally sustainable economies and societies for all
US Vice President Harris speech at COP28
See the podcast on YouTube or join us on Patreon to access discussion boards for every episode; take part in polls on podcast content; see exclusive posts on upcoming episodes; get transcripts of the main episodes.
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Dr Sultan Al Jaber opened COP 28, with some media controversy, on 30th November 2023; UK Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, flew to the UAE and gave a press conference. We discuss the two speeches in terms of argumentation strategies - both appeal to pragmatic and moral arguments.
Rishi Sunak press conference speech transcript
Sultan Al Jaber COP 28 opening address transcript
Rishi Sunak press conference video
Sultan Al Jaber COP 28 opening address video
See the podcast on YouTube or join us on Patreon to access discussion boards for every episode; take part in polls on podcast content; see exclusive posts on upcoming episodes; get transcripts of the main episodes.
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We’re back with series 4 on COP28. In this episode we preview our plans for this series and also announce:
A YouTube channel
A Patreon page
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BBC: COP28: UAE planned to use climate talks to make oil deals
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In this third and final episode of our mini-series, we discuss Just Transitions with Jamie Cooke, head of engagement at the RSA (Royal Society for the Encouragement of the Arts Manufacturers in Commerce). We discuss some new research on Just Transitions that the RSA have carried out and their new report: Rural and Post-industrial perspectives on the just transition: participatory futures in Dumfries and Fife.
Rural and Post-industrial perspectives on the just transition: participatory futures in Dumfries and Fife
Sharm el-Sheikh Implementation Plan
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In this second episode of our mini-series that responds to themes around COP27, we discuss ‘greenwashing’ in relation to COP 27, which was recently was held in Egypt. This topic is inspired by an article that we found in The Guardian authored by the well-known writer, Naomi Klein: “Greenwashing a police state: the truth behind Egypt's COP 27 masquerade”. With us on the podcast is special guest. Dr Michael Kranert from the University of Southhampton.
Greenwashing a police state: the truth behind Egypt’s Cop27 masquerade
Sharm El-Sheikh Mangroves and Sustainability
Three protected areas you need to visit if you’re a nature-lover travelling to Sharm El Sheikh for COP 27 this November
Welcome Message From President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi
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In this first episode of our mini-series that responds to themes around COP27, we discuss sustainable consumption and sustainable production. With our guest, Alex Caveen, we look at four articles from The Guardian newspaper in the UK. Each of them addresses some aspects of consumption, and some raise issues of sustainable production.
Cut meat consumption to two burgers a week to save planet, study suggests
Enormous emissions gap between top 1% and poorest, study highlights
Embrace what may be the most important green technology ever. It could save us all
Lab-grown food is no way to nourish the planet
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In the final episode of series 2, Tom and Michael discuss some of the text of the 2022 reports on climate from the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change. We discuss abstract written style, the apparent absence of people in describing many processes in the reports, and the potential effect of this on presenting human agency in the causes of, and solutions for, climate change.
AR6 Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability
AR6 Climate Change 2022: Mitigation of Climate Change
Communicating Sustainability Conference, Glasgow, September 2022
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In the seventh episode of series 2, Tom and Michael discuss the discourse of public apologies. We look at the example of actor Will Smith apologising for assaulting comedian Chris Rock at the Oscars ceremony. Chris Rock had made a joke at the expense of Smith’s wife.
The Independent: Read the Best Actor winner’s full apology to Chris Rock over Oscars slap
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In the sixth episode of series 2, Tom and Michael discuss the way football club ownership is represented. We look at a news report on the Glazer brothers - owners of Manchester United and a report on Dublin club, Bohemian FC. Why are the Glazers not referred to as ‘oligarchs’ as Roman Abramovich is? How are fan identities constructed?
The Daily Mirror: Man Utd owners the Glazers set £4bn asking price to sell club amid fan protests
Bohemian FC: The club with Bob Marley on the shirt and working class values at heart
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In the fifth episode of series 2, Tom and Michael discuss the way erstwhile owner of Chelsea football club, Roman Abramovic, is described in news reports following the impositions of sanctions on individuals over the invasion of Ukraine.
The Daily Mirror: Roman Abramovich's private jet lands in Russia as Chelsea owner seen at airport
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In the fourth episode of series 2, Tom and Michael discuss Sue Gray’s (UK senior civil servant) update to her investigation in ‘partygate’- the allegations that senior members of the UK government held numerous illegal parties and social events, in government buildings, throughout periods of COVID lockdowns. How does she use the generic conventions of the ‘report’?
INVESTIGATION INTO ALLEGED GATHERINGS ON GOVERNMENT PREMISES DURING COVID RESTRICTIONS – UPDATE
Wikipedia: Partygate
In the third episode of series 2, Tom and Michael look back at the Glasgow Climate Pact. What kind of document is it, what is its purpose? We discuss some of the limitations of the pact.
The Times: We must turn historic Cop26 words into action, says Alok Sharma
The Glasgow Climate Pact (COP26)
In the second episode of series 2, Tom and Michael examine some of the semantics of the UK political scandal ‘partygate’. Powerful people at the centre of the Westminster government are accused of repeatedly having flouted and broken their own ‘lockdown’ rules by having social gatherings and parties in Downing Street and other government offices.
Audio clip: 'Because we followed the guidance' thinking.
In the first episode of series 2, Tom and Michael examine some of the reporting on the invasion of Ukraine. We use ideas about conversational implicature in our discussion of the racist discourse apparent in some of this reporting.
Audio clip: Trevor Noah saying what we’ve all been thinking.
Partly Political Podcast: Paddington and the Bear
In the final episode of the series we discuss some of the language of the ‘Glasgow climate pact’ and a range of responses to it.
Glasgow Climate Pact
Michael Mann tweet
BBC - COP26: Climate deal sounds the death knell for coal power - PM
Sharma apology
BBC - How might decisions at the climate summit change our lives?
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What could 2050 look like? In today’s episode we are joined by Catherine Happer, of the University of Glasgow, to discuss social media communication on the climate crisis. We look in detail at a TikTok post which described a bleak future.
TikTok: What does 2050 look like?
Catherine Happer has also spoken on the University of Glasgow Spot Light podcast and works with the Glasgow University Media Group
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How are emotional responses to climate change represented, especially those of young people, an to what effect? For today’s episode we are joined by Kate Smith, of the University of Hull, to discuss representations of anxiety, anger and caring.
UKRI: Programme launched to tackle climate anxiety in young people
BBC: Climate change: Young people very worried - survey
BBC: COP26: Obama tells young people to stay angry on climate fight
Twitter: Dr Lucky Tran - Carl Sagan
National Youth Theatre: On the Edge
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What part does social media have to play in the politics of COP 26? For today’s episode we are joined by Johnny Unger, of Lancaster University, to talk about critical social media and the ‘official’ social media of COP 26.
Twiter: Greta Thunberg 'Total emissions of the richest' tweet
Tik Tok: Sophia Smith Galer · Squid game meets #climateaction
Twitter:Alok Sharma 'Obama' tweet
Man announces he will quit drinking by 2050
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How is protest at COP 26 reported? We look at how the weekend demonstrations at COP 26 in Glasgow were reported in two very different news outlets: Democracy Now and The Daily Mail.
Democracy Now: “We Are Not Responsible”: Youth Climate Activists Rally in Glasgow to Demand World Leaders Act Now
Daily Mail Online: More than 50,000 protestors march in Glasgow, London and other British cities to demand action on climate change from COP26 conference
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What part do celebrity interventions have in the public debate on climate crisis around COP 26? In this episode we focus on comments by a consortium of sports stars, including Andy Murray and Tom Daley and a BBC interview with Arnold Schwarzenegger. Do the interventions raise the ‘background noise’ calling for action? To which audiences do they speak?
BBC Report: Climate change: Andy Murray and Tom Daley join call to COP26 delegates for climate action
BBC Report: COP26: Arnold Schwarzenegger angered by world leaders' climate policies
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In the final episode of the week we look at the speech given by Txai Suruí - an activist from the Amazon - and a response to it from Jair Bolsonaro. We talk about myth, intertextuality and the power of discourse.
YouTube video of Txai Suruí's speech
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We look back at the inspiring speech given at the opening plenary of COP 26 by the Prime Minister of Barbados, Ms. Mia Mottley. Tom discusses the speech in terms of appraisal theory and Michael contrasts the representation of social actors here with that in the speeches of Boris Johnson that we looked at in episodes 1 and 2. We observe the great discomfort of other world leaders in the room.
Speech: Mia Mottley (at 1hr:20mins)
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Tom and Michael discuss speeches given by the UK's Boris Johnson and Antigua & Barbuda's Gaston Brown. We see how they use personal pronouns to present very different 'leader' personas and how we can see contrasting conceptions of climate change through their use of metaphor. Sound bite of the day comes from Alexandria Villaseñor's tweet on limits to access experienced by civil society delegates at the COP.
Gaston Brown Speech
Boris Johnson Speech
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In this episode, we discuss the language of Boris Johnson's pre-COP 26 speech at the G20 in Rome. What are the purposes of the speech? What are the effects of vague language? Are the claimed commitments really commitments? We also discuss Greta Thunberg's performance in Govan.
Johnson’s G20 speech
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