Dialektens retorik : En studie om dialekter som retorisk resurs

Sammanfattning: This paper examines dialect as a rhetorical means of persuasion. A survey containing inquires about four different Swedish dialects have been handed out mainly in Södertörn University and Stockholm University, in order to research the values and connotations of theese dialects. The four chosen dialects are as following: Göteborgska, Stockholmska, Norrländska and Skånska. The results of the survey are processed and compiled to see which attitudes these values and connotations may indicate to each dialect. These attitudes and values are then discussed in correlation with five rhetorical theories: Attitude as a means of persuation, Ethos, Persona, Rhetorical Agency and Pierre Bourdieu’s theory of Field and Habitus. From this discussion, conclusions are drawn about whether dialect may be used as a means of persuasion. However, the values and attitudes presented from the survey represents only the survey participants, and cannot be regarded as a general opinion. Altough it is a small-scale survey, certain conclusions can be made. The author of this essay concludes that dialect may be used as a means of persuasion, based on the survey results and rhetorical theories presented above. Finally, a critical component for this rhetorical agent is the adjustment of the audience. Without knowing the audiences values and attitudes to the dialect, the outcome of the effect may be hard to predict.