Discourse and Social Values in Oprah Winfrey Show Hosting Queen Rania of Jordan

Abstract

The analysis of values in textual structures is relevant in three overlapping areas. First, representations of social reality in discourse (and in sociological interpretations of discourse) are always value-related. Second, the definition of positive identities of the speaker as people who know and can be trusted, involves values that must be generated not only inter- or extra- textually but also in the structures of the text itself. Third, the arousal of emotions or even passion is based on values that are present but often hidden in textual structures. This paper investigates the values discussed in Oprah Winfrey episode hosting Queen Rania of Jordan, addressing the following question: how the social values of Oprah Winfrey and Queen Rania of Jordan were revealed in the episode? The transcript was analyzed based on Faiclough model for Critical Discourse Analysis and his contextual dimension approach of discourse.The results suggest that experiential values were revealed in Queen Rania’s dialogue using overwording and rewording. Relational values were revealed through formality of relation, as Oprah Winfrey expressed politeness, respect for the Queen’s status and position. Expressive values were shown in the Queen’s dialogue expressing herself as a subject who has a position as a Queen, and her own social identity as Jordanian women. Oprah Winfrey and Queen Rania draw upon personal pronouns dichotomy by classifying people into categories built upon each one ideological representation of reality.

DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2013.v4n11p289