International Journal of Philology

Linguistic and stylistic features of translating political speeches as an element of political discourse

Svitlana Khrystiuk
Download article
Abstract

The linguistic and stylistic features of translating political speeches, a vital component of political discourse, play a pivotal role in shaping public opinion, influencing political decisions, and reflecting the ideologies and power dynamics inherent in political processes. By focusing on the translation of political speeches, the research aimed to classify and systematise the linguistic and stylistic features inherent to this discourse, identify core terminology and types, and analyse translation strategies. This enabled a deeper understanding of how political messages are adapted across languages and how translation mediates the communication of power, ideology, and public engagement in the modern world. The research, grounded in a broad and diverse set of primary and secondary sources, employed qualitative and quantitative text analysis, comparative, discourse and pragmatic analysis, case studies, surveys, back-translation method, stylistic annotation, observation, selection, systematisation, description, classification, provided a comprehensive examination of the linguistic and stylistic features involved in the translation of political speeches. By analysing original political texts and their translations – including addresses by Presidents G.W. Bush, B. Obama, J. Biden, D. Trump, and V. Zelenskyy – the research offered insight into how political intent, rhetorical strategies, and ideological nuances are preserved, adapted, or transformed in translation. It proved that the functional specificity of political discourse – suggestive, persuasive, informative, and expressive – highlights its role in articulating national ideologies and engaging with global audiences. It is substantiated that evaluation, as a central feature, bridges emotionality, expressiveness, and affectivity, offering insights into how political messages resonate with or challenge societal values. The findings revealed that political language remains a vital medium for articulating values, shaping ideologies, and navigating the complex interplay of history, culture, and governance. The research findings can be practically applied by political communication specialists, translators, diplomats, and international relations analysts to more accurately convey the content and stylistic features of political speeches, thereby enhancing intercultural communication and improving the understanding of political intentions globally

Keywords

political communication; translation strategies; pragmatics; political rhetoric; comparative analysis; audience perception

Suggested citation
Khrystiuk, S. (2025). Linguistic and stylistic features of translating political speeches as an element of political discourse. International Journal of Philology, 16(2), 55-78. https://doi.org/10.31548/philolog/2.2025.55
References
  1. Address by the prime minister of Great Britain Boris Jonson to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. (2022). Retrieved from https://www.rada.gov.ua/en/news/News/top_news/222489.html.
  2. Akgün, Y., & Yetkin Karakoç, N. (2024). The different aspects of diplomatic mediation: The extralinguistic motives of having an interpreter in the diplomatic settings. İletişim Ve Diplomasi, 12, 75-89. doi: 10.54722/iletisimvediplomasi.1488687.
  3. Al-Azzawi, Q.O., & Saleh, A.K.A. (2021). Power in American presidential speeches: A critical discourse analysis. Psychology and Education, 58(5), 4063-4076.
  4. Amaghlobeli, G. (2018). Types of political discourses and their classification. Journal of Education in Black Sea Region, 3(1), 18-24. doi: 10.31578/jebs.v3i1.117.
  5. Ashwaq, J.M. (2023). Commissive speech act in Joe Biden’s selected speech. Journal of Tikrit University for Humanities, 30(12(2)), 185-194. doi: 10.25130/jtuh.30.12.2.2023.19.
  6. Ashwaq, J.M., & Al-Aadili, N.M. (2023). The pragmatics of bias in American political speeches. Journal of Tikrit University for Humanities, 30(6), 60-81. doi: 10.25130/jtuh.30.6.2.2023.24.
  7. Aydinli, E., & Aydinli, Ju. (2024). Exposing linguistic imperialism: Why global IR has to be multilingual. Review of International Studies, 50(6), 943-964. doi: 10.1017/S0260210523000700.
  8. Balogun, S., & Murana, M.O. (2018). Language in political discourse: A pragmatic study of presupposition and politeness in the inaugural speech of President Donald Trump. Bulletin of Advanced English Studies, 1(1), 64-76. doi: 10.31559/BAES2018.1.1.6.
  9. Barack Obama: Inaugural Address. (2013). Retrieved from https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2013/01/21/inaugural-address-president-barack-obama.
  10. Cheng, F., Zili, H., & Xiaoqiang, C. (2025). Exploring polarizing political discourse among U.S. Congressional members with large language models. Journal of Systems Science and Information, 13(1), 102 -115. doi: 10.21078/JSSI-2024-0086.
  11. Dudko, I., & Faraponov, V. (2023). President Biden’s foreign policy doctrine and advancing US assistance to Ukraine. American History & Politics, 1(15), 9-24. doi: 10.17721/25211706.2023.15.1.
  12. Elaf, S.B., & Hussien, A. (2020). Critical discourse analysis of Donald Trump’s tweets addressing the Middle Eastern countries. International Journal of Future Generation Communication and Networking, 13(2), 407-414.
  13. Ethnologue 2025 report. (2025). Retrieved from https://www.ethnologue.com/insights/ ethnologue200/.
  14. George W. Bush: Inaugural Address. (2001). Retrieved from https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ documents/inaugural-address-52.
  15. Gil-Bonilla, J.F. (2020). Critical discourse analysis of Trump across time. Sustainable Multilingualism, 16, 1-20. doi: 10.2478/sm-2020-0001.
  16. Ilchenko, T. (2024). Peculiarities concerning the translation of political speeches in the modern period. Young Scientist, 1(125), 37-40. doi: 10.32839/2304-5809/2024-1-125-22.
  17. Inaugural Address by President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. (2020). Retrieved from https://ua.usembassy. gov/inaugural-address-by-president-joseph-r-biden-jr/.
  18. Kovalchuk, O. (2021). Lingua-rhetorical aspects of political speeches of modern American leaders. Current Issues of Humanities, 42(1), 189-195. doi: 10.24919/2308-4863/42-1-25.
  19. Krapyva, Y.V., & Krikun, D.A. (2019). Political speech as a type of political communication. Transcarpathian Philological Studies, 2(11), 42-45. doi: 10.32782/tps2663-4880/2019.11-2.7.
  20. Kuriata, Yu.V., & Kasatkina-Kubyshkina, O.V. (2022). Stylistic devices in political discourse. Scientific Notes of Ostroh Academy National University, Philology Series, 13(81), 27-30. doi: 10.25264/2519-2558-2022-13(81)-27-30.
  21. Kuznyetsova, G., Zinchenko, O., Snikhovska, I., Denysevych, O., & Velyka, A. (2023). Gender peculiarities of modern English-language political discourse. World Journal of English Language, 13(6), 298-302. doi: 10.5430/wjel.v13n6p298.
  22. Push Russia out of whole of Ukraine. (2022). Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/uk61251698.
  23. Romadlani, M.M.I. (2021). Personal pronouns in American presidential political discourse. Indonesian Journal of EFL and Linguistics, 6(1), 201-215. doi: 10.21462/ijefl.v6i1.356.
  24. Shkvorchenko, N.M. (2020). Linguistic and gender peculiarities of English political discourse. Analele universitatii din Craiova. Seria: Stiinte filologice. Llingvistica, 1(2), 398-416.
  25. Solodka, A., & Moroz, T. (2024). Evaluative lexicon as a characteristic of modern political discourse. International Science Journal of Education & Linguistics, 3(2), 96-106. doi: 10.46299/j.isjel.20240302.11.
  26. Speech by the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Verkhovna Rada. (2022a). Retrieved from https://www.president.gov.ua/en/news/vistup-prezidenta-ukrayinivolodimira-zelenskogo-u-verhovnij-74737.
  27. Speech by the President of Ukraine at a meeting of the UN Security Council. (2022b). Retrieved from https://www.president.gov.ua/en/news/vistup-prezidenta-ukrayini-na-zasidanni-radibezpeki-oon-74121.
  28. Tarish, A.H. (2019). US presidents’ political discourse analysis: George W. Bush and Barack Obama. A pragmatic approach. Romanian Journal of English Studies, 16(1), 128-134. doi: 10.1515/RJES-2019-0016.
  29. Taubaldiyev, M., Kulmanov, S., Amirbekova, A., Azimkhan, Y., Zhonkeshov, B., Utemissova, G., & Ospanov, Y. (2024). Terminology in political discourse as a means of language representation of the image of the country. Eurasian Journal of Applied Linguistics, 10(1), 186198. doi: 10.32601/ejal.10117.
  30. There are no signs that Putin wants to stop this war – address by the president to the defence industry forum participants. (2025). Retrieved from https://www.president.gov.ua/en/news/ nemaye-zhodnih-oznak-togo-sho-putin-hoche-zupiniti-cyu-vijnu-98609.
  31. U.S. National Security Strategy. (2022). Retrieved from https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Biden-Harris-Administrations-National-SecurityStrategy-10.2022.pdf.
  32. We are opening a new level of interaction between communities of Ukraine and communities of partner states – speech by Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the international summit of cities and regions in Kyiv. (2023). Retrieved from https://www.president.gov.ua/en/news/mividkrivayemo-novij-riven-vzayemodiyi-mizh-gromadami-ukray-82373.
  33. When a murderer says he wants to kill, we take that accordingly, and we will respond together with our partners – address by the president. (2025). Retrieved from https://www.president. gov.ua/en/news/koli-vbivcya-kazhe-sho-hoche-vbiti-mi-sprijmayemo-ce-vidpovi-98565.