A Critical Discourse Analysis of 'Summarizer So' as a Linguistic Powerful Tool in American Courtrooms

Prof. Hameed Hassoon Bjaiya Al-Mas'udi; Assistant Lecturer A'mer Sagheer Allwan

Prof. Hameed Hassoon Bjaiya Al-Mas'udi University of Babylon-College of Education for Humanities- Department of English
Assistant Lecturer A'mer Sagheer Allwan University of Babylon-College of Education for Humanities- Department of English

Keywords: 'Summarizer So', Critical Discourse Analysis, Courtroom interaction, Dominance, Power

Abstract

'Summarizer So' is a linguistic item that is used frequently by lawyers during the examination processes in American courtroom trials in order to exercise power and achieve dominance over witnesses or suspects; therefore, it is considered as a powerful tool guaranteeing their superiority over others. The researchers try to analyse this tool critically by using Fairclough's (1989) model. This model is able to detect the linguistic dimensions of such usage along with their explanation and interpretation critically. This aims to reveal any hidden ideologies of dominance and power for the sake of raising the awareness of the less powerful people of this aspect and to reach a fair balanced trial.