Discursive Constructions of Authority: A Comparative Analysis of Tone and Context in King Abdullah II’s Speeches Within a Translation Framework

Abstract

This study investigates the discursive construction of political authority in Jordanian King Abdullah II’s international speeches, using a qualitative methodological framework that combines thematic analysis and Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), which is based on Fairclough's three-dimensional model. The study examines how linguistic and rhetorical techniques are used to project diplomatic influence and assert legitimacy in a variety of geopolitical contexts, focusing on two speeches—one given before the US Congress in 2007 and the other at the UN General Assembly in 2024. The findings of the study revealed that King Abdullah II positions Jordan as a morally upright player in international affairs by mainly using appeals to universal moral principles like justice, peace, and human dignity to establish his authority. The intentional modulation of modality and tone allows for adaptive audience engagement, while intertextual references to historical, religious, and legal sources reinforce political claims and bolster Jordan's symbolic capital. Additionally, by balancing moral clarity with diplomatic prudence, the King's speech consistently presents Jordan as a neutral and reasonable mediator in regional disputes through selective emphasis and omission. Despite having few material resources, Jordan is able to maintain credibility in international diplomacy and exercise soft power thanks to these rhetorical techniques. This study adds to a wider understanding of authority, identity, and legitimation in international political communication by emphasizing the performative and ideologically embedded nature of political discourse, especially as it is used by smaller states in multilateral settings.