IDENTITATE, EDUCAȚIE ȘI INCLUZIUNE, pages: 147 - 156, 2026

The Evolution of Political Language in the Digital Age. Linguistic Tendencies and Implications for the Legitimacy of Power

Doi: https://doi.org/10.58603/SPST4826

Rezumat: This study examines the evolution of political discourse in digital environments, focusing on the strategies through which political actors articulate power relatons and legitimacy. Guided by theoretical and qualitative approaches, including critical discourse analysis and cognitive linguistics, the research investigates four interrelated dimensions of digital political communication: lexical networks and semantic polarization, pronominal usage and the formation of in-group versus out-group identities, metaphorical strategies and the amplification of emotional appeal, and moral binaries and the simplification of political discourse. Findings indicate that digital platforms facilitate rapid dissemination of messages and also amplify ideological polarization and emotional engagement, creating iterative cycles that support group cohesion and marginalize dissenting voices. Metaphors, pronouns, moral framing and selective lexical choices function as powerful tools for persuasion, structuring both cognition and affect, and influencing public perception in ways that sustain political authority and social hierarchies. By integrating classical and contemporary scholarship, this study highlights the complex interplay between language, technology and political power in the digital age, demonstrating that online discourse is highly dynamic and, at the same time, deeply influential in presenting public opinion and political identities.