Analysis of Discourse in the Public Sphere

In many cases, our understanding of the world is shaped by the messages we receive through the media, politicians, and institutions.

These messages are often expressed in words, but we also encounter combinations of words and images or more complex multimodal ensembles. Today, we are exposed to messages of all kinds,  which may aim to inform or entertain us, but also to persuade us or manipulate the way we perceive reality. Our research allows us to uncover the underlying assumptions in these messages that could shape the way we perceive the world.

Discourse analysis is a multidisciplinary approach that addresses both language and communication. Its objective is to analyze how meaning is conveyed through languages and other semiotic systems in specific communicative contexts. It involves studying the connotations, implications, and social and cultural resonance of each text or sample from multiple perspectives.

In this context, our research focuses particularly on the analysis of discourse in the public sphere,  that is, the use of language in political, institutional, and social contexts, as well as in the media and on social media. Discourse analysis provides tools to combat hate, manipulation, and misinformation, while also promoting social cohesion and improving communication across all sectors. Some recent PhD theses supervised by members of our group address topics such as the representation of refugees, or of religions in the press, and linguistic markers of misinformation.