Abstract:

This study examines Pakistani politicians’ gender and professional identity negotiations through mediated conflicts in Pakistani television talks. The central focus is on the impact of linguistic (im)politeness through lexical/syntactic choices, distractions from the focal point of debate, allegations, discourse of taboos and use of profane language in live TV talk shows in the cultural context of (im)politeness. Furthermore, how the dialogic tactics that male and female politicians adopt at the time of conflictual debate either overcome the conflict or assist them win the floor. More noteworthy is how do the (im)politeness maneuvers they follow during the speech help in negotiating and enacting their gendered and professional identities? How does (im)politeness discourse impact the gender-based, cultural and sociocultural conventions based power relationship between participants while engaging in political debates? The researchers used the genre approach as the guiding lens and the in-depth analysis of four TV talks reveals that female politicians adopt aggressive discourse strategies to challenge male politicians’ power in the media and political arena. Besides, politicians’ impolite and rebuttal conduct serves as an effective strategy for negotiating gendered and professional identities in mediated politics. Still, it can also result in a diminished unity and alienation from the target audience due to the impropriety of particular cultural and social norms.

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