Language

The language used in Boris Johnson's speech on the EU referendum is rather complex as the speaker uses words like “redolent” (l. 3), “metamorphosis” (l. 29), or “subterfuge” (l. 47) which might come across as very formal. Paradoxically, the language used by the speaker is not consistent throughout the speech but mixed with simpler and even offensive language: “…to keep insisting that the EU is about economics is like saying the Italian Mafia is interested in olive oil and real estate.” (ll. 24-26); “So I find it offensive, insulting, irrelevant and positively cretinous to be told – sometimes by people who can barely speak a foreign language – that I belong to a group of small-minded xenophobes...” (ll. 455-457)

You should note that Boris Johnson is known for being well-educated and that he has worked as a journalist and written a number of books. At the same time, he is known to be very und…

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Choice of words

The choice of words reflects the topic of the speech, including numerous references to EU history, EU policies, economics, and statistics. This serves the speaker’s purpose of demonstrating to the audience that leaving the EU is the right option.

The speaker constantly uses personal pronouns like ‘we’ and ‘they’ to bui…

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Sentence structure

The sentence structure reveals that the speaker combines long and short sentences and that he uses fragmentation to add emphasis to his points: “Look at that list of Lisbon competences – with 45 new fields of polic…

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Tone

The speaker mixes different tones in the speech. His tone is generally serious and formal. This is particularly noticeable when he talks about the EU being anti-democratic and moving towards a federal structure, taking away UK’s liberties: “The independence of this country is being seriously compromised. It is…

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Symbols and propaganda

Finally, the speaker includes symbols and his speech is a form of propaganda. For example, he uses the flag as a national symbol to suggest that the EU’s flag does not awaken any patriotic feelings: “Do we feel loyalty to that flag? Do our hearts pitter-patter as we watch it flutter over public buildings?…