LA DELEGITTIMAZIONE DELL’AVVERSARIO POLITICO NEI DISCORSI DI ALCIDE DE GASPERI PER LA CAMPAGNA ELETTORALE DEL 1948

This article falls within a wider and more general research project on the topic ofpolitical delegitimization (PRIN [Research Project of National Interest]2011 Pratiche, linguaggi e teorie della delegittimazione politica nell’Europa contemporanea) that has recently received attention from different scientific sectors, including linguistics. This work focuses on linguistic and rethorical aspects of the delegitimization process of political opponents, analyzing speeches by Alcide De Gasperi and other documents related to the electoral campaign of the Italian Republic first general elections. Delegitimization is undoubtedly a very interesting subject for linguistic analysis, as it involves specific communicative modes and strategies, rethorical techniques and lexical choices aiming at the manipulation of meaning and values and the persuasion of voters.