LEGITIMISING POTENTIAL OF SUBJECTIVE MODALITY IN REGIONAL POLITICAL DISCOURSE

Abstract

The article deals with the ways in which subjective modality is used in political discourse and their influence on the formation of non-professional political discourse. The study reveals the epistemic modality is the most powerful tool for legitimizing claims in professional political discourse. The research quantifies the relationship between different types of subjective modality and legitimizing statements. The specific speech acts where politicians use subjective modality are identified and the statements of a regional politician are analyzed to build a model of legitimate political discourse based on dominant features. Based on the interpretation of positive internet comments, a legitimizing model of political discourse is presented. The linguistic means used to verbalize each of the model’s components are considered. The findings offer valuable insights for understanding how political actors construct persuasive narratives and cultivate public trust.