Diplomatic Language: An Insight from Speeches Used in International Diplomacy

The paper provides an insight into diplomatic language through the documentation and discussion of the language choices used in speeches on the occasion of the XII Summit Conference of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and the 10th Islamic Summit (OIC). Both occasions were held in 2003, in Kuala Lumpur. By focusing on the two contexts aforementioned, the paper aims to identify specific conventions and norms present in the texts selected that can assist in the challenging art of becoming a true diplomat, that is, the ability to communicate in a manner conforming to the desired style in international diplomacy through the appropriate language choices. Discussion of the research findings indicate that the language choices used, with regard to international diplomacy, are consistent across several speeches that were examined.