Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 University of Garmian

2 University of Sulaimani

Abstract

Multimodal discourse analysis is the analysis of language besides other modalities (pictures, gestures, video images, films, etc.). To use this approach for investigating political billboards is thought to be influential as it will show how linguistic and visual elements cooperate to make meaning. The current study seeks to examine how Kurdish political billboards are designed and what ideologies such a design may carry. To this end, four Kurdish billboards were selected from different candidates of the Kurdistan Coalition designed for the Iraqi central election campaigns of 2020-2021. Kress and van Leeuwen's (2006) model is used to demystify how the visual and linguistic elements cooperate to serve the purpose of the billboard as a whole. The results obtained show that the electoral billboards appeal and persuade the voters to vote for the represented candidates. Candidates are portrayed in Kurdish campaign billboards in a confident and satisfying manner that spreads positive and promising views. Such views try to create good concepts in the minds of the viewers.

Keywords