Languages of political discourse in Senegal

The thesis explores the relationship between language and politics in Senegal, a country rich in linguistic diversity. The research traces the historical evolution of language use in Senegal's political sphere, focusing on how French, Wolof, and other national languages are strategically employed in political discourse. It examines how political leaders use language to connect with different societal groups and how citizens perceive the use of these languages in politics, especially during the 2024 presidential campaign, which the author covered. Using a mixed-methods approach, including interviews, surveys, and field observations, the study integrates qualitative and quantitative insights to analyze language's impact on political behavior. Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) serves as the theoretical framework, investigating how political actors use language to navigate power dynamics and influence public perception. The findings highlight the central role of languages in shaping political discourse and identity, offering recommendations for future research on multilingual political environments