Psycholinguistic analysis of persuasive effectiveness in court speeches: theoretical foundations and linguistic aspects

• Published in: Вісник Харківського національного університету внутрішніх справ Vol. 107; no. 4; pp. 255 - 266
• Main Authors: Lyaska, O. P., Kshevetskyi, V. S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Ukrainian
• Published: Kharkiv National University of Internal Affairs 28.12.2024
• Subjects: cognitive influence; emotional manipulation; language; persuasion; psycholinguistics; rhetorical strategies; trial
• ISSN: 1999-5717; 2617-278X
• DOI: 10.32631/v.2024.4.23

The article is devoted to the psycholinguistic analysis of the persuasive effectiveness of court speeches, in particular, the theoretical foundations and linguistic aspects of this process. The key elements of language used in court discourse are considered, with an emphasis on their influence on the thoughts, emotions and decisions of the participants in the process. Despite the significant number of studies on rhetoric in the legal context, the psycholinguistic impact of language techniques on the cognitive and emotional reactions of participants in court proceedings remains insufficiently studied. The article focuses on the analysis of the effectiveness of various linguistic techniques, such as metaphors, epithets and repetition, as well as their ability to influence the perception of evidence and arguments. Particular attention is paid to the role of language in shaping legal consciousness and decision-making in court. This study fills a gap in knowledge about how language strategies contribute to effective persuasion and how their study can improve legal practice and the quality of trials. The article analyses how the psycholinguistic aspects of language are used to manipulate the emotions and cognitive processes of participants in the trial, in particular, judges and jurors. It is noted that the language of court speeches performs not only an informational but also a persuasive function, since it can influence the emotional state of listeners, modify their opinion about evidence and arguments, and form a general perception of the case. Particular emphasis is placed on the study of the effectiveness of such linguistic techniques as emphasis on emotionally charged words, rhetorical questions, the use of metaphors and other stylistic devices that increase the strength of argumentation. Given these factors, the author proposes an interdisciplinary approach to the study of persuasion in courtroom speech, combining elements of philology, legal psychology and communication sciences. The results of the study may be useful not only for academics but also for legal practitioners, as they provide specific recommendations for improving the effectiveness of courtroom speeches. Therefore, the article contributes to a deeper understanding of the role of language in court proceedings and opens up new opportunities for improving legal practice by optimising language strategies.