Transitivity Analysis in the Statement of Former Prime Minister Imran Khan on Pulwama Attack

Abstract

In Systemic Functional Linguistics, transitivity analysis systematically explores how language functions in a particular setting and how meanings are produced at the discourse level. The current study aimed to explore hidden meanings, ideologies and power relations in the Official Statement of Prime Minister Imran Khan issued on the Pulwama Attack. The Pulwama attack was a part of India’s false flag operation to exploit the commencement of an international event in Pakistan during February, 2019. Primarily, the research pertinently highlights denying proclamation with evidence and offering investigation to neighbours after the provision of actionable evidence. The study was conducted following a qualitative research methodology. The data sample of the Official Statement of the Prime Minister was acquired from the Official website of the Prime Minister's Office. For data analysis of the official statement of the PM, Halliday’s ideational meta-function was selected as a theoretical framework and the UAM Corpus-based tool. Ver 6.2 was utilized for a clause-level analysis. Moreover, to explore the transitive. The findings of the research study revealed that types of processes, participants and circumstances are embedded in layers of the crafted text. Further, the analysis revealed that Prime Minister, Imran Khan used mantel and material types of transitivity in his Official Statement to deny from false flag Operation, formally invited for investigations and issued an ultimatum to retaliate in case of international breach.

Keywords: Ideational meta-function, Transitivity analysis, Official Statement, Pulwama Attack,                               UAM Corpus Tool