OCR A Level English Literature and Language, Jeremy Paxman and Dizee Rascal Interview

Grice's Maxims

Amos' response partially demonstrates higher adherence to Grice's maxims. She provides structured, evidence-based analysis, ‘Ithink there is a language in America which is much more about dreaming’, and maintains clarity throughout.

Rascal's apparent flouting of the manner maxim, ‘It is what it is’, ‘Politicians are gonna say what they say’, could be seen as deliberately authentic communication that serves his persona andcconnects with his audience.

His ambiguity might be strategic rather than poor communication.

Accommodation Theory & Idiolect. Rascal’s

This appears to be Rascal's natural idiolect rather than deliberate downward divergence.

His consistent use of multicultural London English features, ‘innit’, ‘yeah man’, throughout suggests this is his authentic speech variety, not a strategic accommodation choice.

If it were divergence, we'd expect more marked shifts or code-switching, which don't occur.

Politeness Theory

Paxman shows politeness to Amos through:

● Using her full name respectfully;

● Asking complex, intellectually engaging questions that acknowledge her expertise;

● Not interrupting her responses;

● Framing questions that allow her to demonstrate political knowledge and authority.

Gender Language Theory & Sociolect

Amos' Recievd Pronounciation usage probably stems from her social experiences rather than gender-based overcorrection.

As a professional politician and member of the House of Lords, her formal register reflects her educational background, career requirements, and social class.

Her hedging, ‘I think’, ‘Having said that’, could reflect political training in diplomatic language rather than gendered linguistic insecurity, as these are standard features of Phonologypolitical discourse designed to avoid commitment to a point.

Phonology

Rascal's speech appears less fluent due to:

● Fillers: ‘know what’, ‘you know what I mean’, ‘man’ - natural conversational markers;

● Hesitations: Pauses while formulating thoughts in a formal setting;

● Repetitions: ‘immediate, immediate symbol’ - emphasis rather than disfluency His apparent lack of fluency may actually reflect authentic, spontaneous speech rather than the rehearsed political language of Amos or Paxman's practiced interviewing style.

Lexis and Semantics

● ‘Embrace’ and ‘unity’: Suggest Rascal views Obama as genuinely inclusive and bridging divides - positive, hopeful language;

● ‘Innit’ and dialectal phrases: Creates authentic, relatable persona; maintains connection to his community and youth audience;

● Other sociolect examples: ‘yeah man’, ‘gonna’, ‘know what I mean’ - multicultural London English;

● Paxman's language to Amos: Uses sophisticated political vocabulary,’social dynamic’, ‘American dream’, ‘founded on betterment’, elevates the discourse and acknowledges her expertise.

Grammar

Rascal uses:

● Incomplete sentences: "Yeah. In time." - conversational fragments.

● Loose syntax: "Everything just takes time man if you believe you can achieve, innit?" - stream-of-consciousness style This creates an informal register contrasting with Amos's complex, subordinated clauses and Paxman's structured questions. It reflects natural speech patterns rather than formal political discourse.

Discourse

All participants engage with Obama's campaign themes:

● Hope and change: Rascal's optimism, Amos's "aspirational" language;

● Unity: Rascal's "symbol of unity", Amos discussing encouragement Rascal's language fits the inspirational discourse but maintains authenticity within the formal setting, potentially making the message more accessible.

Other Things to note:

Pragmatics Young people/people of colour: May interpret Rascal's contributions as authentic representation, seeing his success in maintaining his identity in elite spaces as empowering

Older/white audiences: May focus on his apparent lack of political sophistication, potentially reinforcing stereotypes about informal speech and political capability The interview highlights how linguistic prejudice can affect perception of speaker credibility and intelligence.

Jeremy Paxman: “Dizzee Rascal, how does it seem to you?”

Pragmatics & Discourse

• Paxman uses an open interrogative, inviting evaluation rather than factual recall.

• The address term “Dizzee Rascal” foregrounds the guest’s public persona, reinforcing Paxman’s role as gatekeeper who allocates turns.

• Pragmatically, this question positions Rascal as a commentator, not an expert—Paxman does not specify political detail.

Effect

• Sets a conversational tone while still asserting institutional control.

• Encourages subjective response rather than analytical depth.

Dizzee Rascal: It's positive. I think it's positive because he is mixed race as well, so he is an immediate, immediate symbol of unity. And I think, know what,

hip-hop played a big part in this as well. I don't think he could have done it without hip-hop. Hip-hop is what encouraged the youth to, um, get involved in voting and making the place better and he is the first president to embrace it.

Lexis & Semantics

• The adjective “positive” is evaluative and vague, signalling optimism but limited specificity.

• Repetition of “immediate, immediate” functions as:

  • A spoken discourse feature

  • Emphasis through intensification

• The phrase “symbol of unity” uses abstract, emotive lexis, framing Obama semi-symbolically rather than politically.

Grammar

• Simple declarative clauses dominate, reflecting spontaneous spoken grammar.

• The repeated clause “I think” acts as a hedging device, softening claims and protecting face.

Pragmatics

• Rascal aligns himself with a moral rather than technical evaluation, which suits his cultural role.

Discourse & Pragmatics

• The filler “um” signals real-time cognitive processing, increasing authenticity.

• Rascal reframes the political event through cultural discourse, linking music to civic engagement.

Lexis

• Collective noun “the youth” generalises a demographic, positioning Rascal as a representative voice.

Semantic Effect

• Shifts the topic from institutional politics to grassroots cultural influence, expanding the discourse frame.

JP: Specifically?

Sorry to interrupt you, but specifically could you see this happening in Britain?

Pragmatics

• A minimal response challenge.

• Forces Rascal to clarify or justify his claims.

Discourse Power

• Demonstrates Paxman’s authority through topic control and evaluative interruption.

Facework

• The apology “Sorry to interrupt you” is formulaic politeness; pragmatically, it does not reduce the imposition.

• The interruptive move reasserts Paxman’s dominance.

Question Type

• Hypothetical and comparative.

• Pushes Rascal beyond commentary into speculative political analysis.

DR: “Yeah. In time.”

Grammar & Discourse

• Extremely minimal response.

• Elliptical clause lacking elaboration.

Pragmatics

• Avoids over-commitment.

• Maintains face by not engaging with political specifics.

Effect

• Creates asymmetry: Paxman seeks depth; Rascal resists institutional discourse norms.

JP: “You’re rather positive!”

Pragmatics

• Evaluative statement framed as observation rather than question.

• Functions as a challenge disguised as commentary.

Tone

• Slightly ironic; invites defence.

Discourse

• Positions Rascal as naïve or idealistic.

DR: “Yeah, man. Why not, man?”

“There’s a first time for everything, isn’t there?”

“If you believe you can achieve, innit?”

Phonology & Lexis

• Discourse marker “man” signals informality and solidarity.

• Casual intonation implied; aligns with youth identity.

Pragmatics

• Rejects Paxman’s implied scepticism.

• Maintains positive face by asserting confidence.

Grammar

• Tag question “isn’t there?” seeks alignment rather than confirmation.

Discourse

• Appeals to shared common sense rather than evidence.

Lexis & Semantics

• Proverb-like phrasing evokes motivational discourse.

• “innit” is a non-standard tag, marking regional and sociolectal identity.

Phonology

• Implied reduction and informal pronunciation reinforce authenticity.

Effect

• Clashes with the formal Newsnight register, highlighting class and cultural contrast.

JP: Valerie Amos there are some people who say there is a different kind of social dynamic at work in the United States, ah that it is so much more built upon the possibility of achievement. The American Dream is founded on the idea of betterment for the individual despite this long history of racial discrimination .

Is that a different dynamic to the one we find in our society?

Discourse

• Paxman uses a third-person attribution strategy (“some people who say”) to distance himself from the claim.

• This is a classic journalistic technique to maintain neutrality.

Grammar

• Long, complex sentence with multiple subordinate clauses.

Effect

• Signals a shift to analytical, institutional discourse.

Question Type

• Abstract, evaluative, comparative.

Pragmatics

• Invites expertise.

• Clearly positions Amos as an authority.

Valerie Amos: Jeremy I think that's true.

I think there is a language in America which is much more about er dreaming and hoping and it's much less cynical than the kind of language we use here.

Having said that I think that Barack Obama has tapped into something which is not just about America. And it's become truly inspirational in terms of what our own young people think is possible.

Now I think there's a great deal more that we have to do in terms of the systems within our political parties, how we nurture people, encourage them to come through. It won't just happen without that kind of action.

But I do feel much more optimistic today than I would have done two days ago.

Address Term

• Use of first name “Jeremy” softens interaction and builds rapport.

Facework

• Agreement strategy reduces confrontation.

Lexis

• Metalinguistic focus on “language”, elevating the discussion.

• Abstract nouns: “dreaming”, “hoping”, “cynical”.

Grammar

• Repeated hedging “I think” maintains politeness and credibility.

Discourse Marker

• Signals concession and balance.

• Classic political rhetoric strategy.

Grammar

• Modal verb “have to” expresses obligation.

Lexis

• Institutional lexis: “systems”, “political parties”, “nurture”.

Effect

• Positions Amos as pragmatic and policy-focused.

Pragmatics

• Emotional evaluation closes her turn.

• Positive facework: ends on hope rather than critique.

JP: “Dizzee Rascal, do you believe in political parties in Britain?”

Question Type

• Direct and provocative.

• Yes/no structure invites ideological exposure.

Discourse

• Re-positions Rascal back into political debate, despite earlier resistance.

DR: Yeah, they exist. I believe in 'em.

I don't know if I care. I mean I don't know if it makes a difference. But you know what I mean.

It is what it is. Politicians are gonna say what they say -

you might get every now and again the genuine one, innit? But like I think people, like, as a whole make the difference.

I don't think one person or one party can make a difference.

Pragmatics

• Minimalist response bordering on ironic.

• Flouts Grice’s Maxim of Quantity.

Facework

• Open admission of disengagement.

• Risks negative evaluation but preserves authenticity.

Lexis & Semantics

• Idiomatic fatalism.

• Suggests resignation toward political systems.

Grammar

• Vague quantifiers (“every now and again”).

• Tag question seeks solidarity.

Semantics

• Collective ideology.

• Reinforces grassroots worldview.

Discourse Effect

• Final statement reasserts Rascal’s core position: people over institutions.