The Linguistic Representations of the Moroccan Outstretched Hand Policy in Diplomatic Relations with Algeria in Light of Fairclough's Model

Abstract

Morocco and Algeria have shared a long historical relationship of genuine fraternity and friendship; however, there have been times when this comradeship has resembled the brotherhood of Cain and Abel, fraught with tensions and characterized by tragic turning points. Throughout the history of the countries' interactions, particularly at the level of diplomacy as well as the military sphere, official political speeches of Moroccan and Algerian political representatives always reflect subliminal ideologies that can be revealed within a systematic analysis of political texts, relying on a solid theoretical framework. Such methodological examination enables this study to establish a logical link between the linguistic features used by those politicians and some social and geopolitical consequences. In pursuit of this, this paper examines the linguistic choices used by King Mohammed VI in approaching Algeria diplomatically, specifically those mirroring the Moroccan monarch's policy of the 'outstretched hand'. The samples used in this study were chosen based on purposive sampling and were analyzed according to  Fairclough's three-dimensional model. The findings indicate that the Moroccan king consistently uses specific lexical choices that depict a discourse marked by fraternity. In contrast, the Algerian state has shown no tangible engagement with this Moroccan initiative.