The language of the far right: Using Linguistics for propaganda analysis

Dr Eszter Szenes

In this lecture I will show how we can use the appraisal system from Systemic Functional Linguistics to analyse far-right propaganda. Based on analyses of manifestos published by neo-Nazi and white supremacist groups in Hungary and the Nordic countries, I will share examples of the linguistic construction of far-right grievances and solutions.

This presentation is part of an ongoing project that has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon2020 Research and Innovation Programme under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Grant Agreement No 845643.

For more information, see https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/845643.

Keywords: far-right extremism, attitude analysis, propaganda analysis

Bio: Dr Eszter Szenes is a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Research Fellow at the Department of Sociology and Social Anthropology, Central European University, Vienna, Austria/Budapest, Hungary, seconded to the Peace and War Center, Norwich University, Vermont, USA. She holds a doctorate in Systemic Functional Linguistics from The University of Sydney, Australia. In her current research project, Dr Szenes focuses on radicalisation strategies in online far-right propaganda and disinformation campaigns. Her research interests include far-right extremism and radicalisation, critical thinking and disciplinary literacies. She primarily draws on the theoretical foundations and methodologies of Systemic Functional Linguistics and Legitimation Code Theory.