Workshop: Coding for arrogance Stephanie Schnurr Workshop: Coding for arrogance

My main research interests Professional communication Medical communication Political discourse

My main research interests Professional communication Leadership discourse Discourse of professional athletes Medical communication Political discourse

Questions of arrogance Professional communication Leadership discourse Discourse of professional athletes Medical communication Political discourse

Leadership discourse Leadership in the public domain: Political leaders Professional leaders (celebrities?) Claims of arrogance associated with their public image Closely linked with criticism, negative stance But forgivable? Sometimes acceptable for a leader?

Some examples Public discourse around certain leaders: “Donald Trump isn’t mad – he’s the arrogant boss we’ve all seen before” (headline in Guardian, Feb 2017) “This is Steve Jobs. You think I’m an arrogant asshole who thinks he’s above the law, and I think you’re a slime bucket who gets most of his facts wrong.” (Steve Jobs calling journalist after interview)

Sports discourse Post-match TV interviews: Athletes (carefully and often strategically) constructing and negotiating their identities and image Issues of (perceived) arrogance are very relevant Potentially detrimental effect on athlete’s image Close link between inappropriate behaviour and (perceived) arrogance

An example Failed humour in a post-match interview “Maybe it’s because I’m black” (Lewis Hamilton complaining about being (repeatedly) called out by the stewards for dangerous driving) Received criticism from fans and media: “I don't think this frustration justifies his arrogant and petulant attitude in his interview with Lee Mackenzie. HE NEEDS TO GROW UP!!”

My approaches Discourse analysis Interactional sociolinguistics Contextualisation cues to identify markers of “arrogance” in discourse para-linguistic (e.g. eyes, body, gesture, gaze) linguistic (e.g. tone of voice, lexical choice, engagement with interaction) Reactions (in media) to identify perceptions and accusations of arrogance

Particular interest Arrogance and leadership in public domain Arrogance and sports discourse Arrogance and humour Link to failed humour?

Thank you! s.schnurr@warwick.ac.uk