Hedging: Politicians often use hedging to soften their statements or make them less absolute. For example, using phrases like "I believe," "I think," or "It seems to me" allows them to express opinions without sounding overly assertive.
Mitigation: To downplay the impact of potentially controversial statements, politicians may use mitigation strategies. This can involve employing euphemisms or framing issues in a less confrontational manner.
Attenuation: Politicians may use words or phrases that soften the impact of their statements. For instance, saying "I suggest" rather than "I demand" can make a request or statement more diplomatic.
Pragmatic Particles: Particles like "well," "you know," or "actually" are often used in political discourse to signal shifts in focus, emphasize points, or establish a connection with the audience.
Modality Markers: Words expressing modality, such as "perhaps," "possibly," or "likely," are used to convey the level of certainty or probability associated with a statement. This helps politicians present information in a more cautious manner.
Evidentiality: Politicians may use markers to indicate the source or basis of their information. This adds credibility to their statements and can include phrases like "according to reports," "studies show," or "experts say."
Epistemic Markers: These markers convey the speaker's degree of certainty or belief in a particular statement. Examples include "I'm sure," "I believe," or "I doubt."
Deixis: Deictic expressions, such as "here," "there," "this," or "that," help politicians establish reference points and create a shared understanding with their audience.
Discourse Markers: Words or phrases like "however," "nevertheless," or "on the other hand" are used to guide the flow of the discourse, signal transitions, and highlight contrasts.
Politeness Strategies: Politeness markers, including expressions like "please," "thank you," and polite forms of address, are crucial in maintaining a positive public image and fostering a sense of respect.