Ecolinguistics Devices and Ideology in President El-Sisi’s Climate Change Speeches: A Corpus Discourse Analysis Study

Climate change has risen to the top of the global policy agenda over the past 15 years. This change forces all politicians to follow up, make decisions, and raise awareness in their respective countries. Public figures’ speeches on climate change play a crucial role in shaping public perceptions and influencing climate policy. The present study conducts an in-depth ecolinguistic discourse analysis of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s climate change speeches over three years (from 2020 to 2023), aiming to uncover the linguistic strategies and devices employed in his communication about environmental issues. It identifies recurring metaphors and framing techniques for addressing climate change and environmental concerns. Using Stibbe (2015) approach, the study examines the impact of linguistic choices on public perception and awareness of climate change in Egypt. It assesses the potential influence on policy alignment with international climate objectives. This study, which includes 21 speeches and 268 metaphors, applies a multidisciplinary framework and draws on ecolinguistics, political discourse analysis, and environmental communication to help understand the complex interplay between language, leadership, and environmental awareness. Ten ideological strategies are employed, focusing on building individuals’ perceptions through different framing views and concepts about climate change. Findings hold implications for climate change communication, policy development, public engagement, and the broader field of ecolinguistics.