What is it about?
It is about the growing pattern of verbal attacks, insults, and provocations aimed at perceived opponents and vulnerable groups, which have become characteristic features of authoritarian political discourse in various countries. Our findings revealed that, in Brazil, the rhetoric of far-right political leaders and their supporters was used to appeal to specific segments of society and attract voters, while simultaneously slamming democratic institutions. The verbal aggression also served as a distraction, shifting attention away from important discussions about issues such as equality and human rights. Ultimately, the most significant takeaway is that verbal aggression can be seen as a symptom of democratic decline.
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Why is it important?
We discovered that Twitter users employed ‘bad language’ and promoted hashtags to discredit STF judges. One motivation for this behavior was to avoid blame in potential legal cases, such as investigations into the spread of fake news by the far-right. Another was to undermine the judges' credibility by disseminating false accusations and insults. Our findings revealed how/why the rhetoric used by Brazil’s far-right political leaders and their supporters was characterized by "bad verbal manners." Ultimately, the most significant takeaway is that verbal aggression can be seen as a symptom of democratic decline in countries like Brazil.
Perspectives
We are now investigating how conflictual language is used to target vulnerable groups in different countries. Although the practice may have global similarities, regional and national traits emerge, with certain groups—such as members of the judiciary, women, immigrants, and the LGBTQIA+ community—being targeted more frequently in some contexts. While previous scholars have explored this tactic, we aim to add a new dimension by examining it through the lens of linguistic impoliteness, exploring how it contributes to the erosion of democracy and the restriction of rights over time. Specifically, we are studying the verbal attacks on women and LGBT+ individuals who have become elected officials or hold influential positions. By analyzing speeches from authoritarian leaders and their supporters, both online and offline, we seek to understand how these attacks are constructed and employed. Our goal is to advance the research on the role of social media platforms in both promoting and countering democratic erosion.
Prof. Dr. Ana Larissa Oliveira
Westfalische Wilhelms-Universitat Munster
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Far-right discourse in Brazil, Journal of Language and Politics, September 2024, John Benjamins,
DOI: 10.1075/jlp.23120.oli.
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