A Critical Discourse Analysis of the Speeches of Margaret Thatcher and Theresa May

Abstract

This study applied a Critical Discourse Analysis perspective to investigate 10 speeches of two authors: Theresa May and Margaret Thatcher. The data for analysis in this thesis was taken from some official websites in the UK. The study was based on the theory of Critical Discourse Analysis of Norman Fairclough with three parts: Description, Interpretation and Explanation. It focused on textual description with vocabulary, grammar and textual structure analysis. The research employed the qualitative and quantitative approach. The data of ten speeches by Theresa May and Margaret Thatcher were collected from some reliable websites. The findings of this thesis showed that there were some similarities and differences related to the ideologies of two speakers: Theresa May and Margaret Thatcher. The findings also proved the CDA’s viewpoint that there was a relationship between language and power and people could use language to exert power on others and to change or maintain the social relationships. Hopefully, the results of the study will provide some practical applications for teaching and learning English.