Auf der Suche nach Hatespeech in parlamentarischen Debatten: Analyse der Reden von Krzysztof Kasprzak und Jens Maier
In Search of Hate Speech in Parliamentary Debates: Analysis of Speeches by Krzysztof Kasprzak and Jens Maier

Summary/Abstract: In the following article, which is part of a comprehensive German-Polish contrastive study on linguistic impoliteness and hate speech in parliamentary debates, I have focused on the identification and characterization of hate speech. The corpus consists of stenograms from two speeches. While in the Sejm Krzysztof Kasprzak dedicated his speech to the Stop LGBT law initiative, in the Bundestag the AfD MP Jens Maier spoke about threats from Islam. The speech in the Sejm was held on the 28th of October 2021, and the speech in the Bundestag on the 6th of November 2020. On the one hand, the argumentation strategies of both speakers were examined, as well as the similarities and differences between them. As the analysis showed, fragments of both speeches can be classified as hate speech because they defame and denigrate LGBT people and Muslims. Negatively charged lexemes and expressions were used, which served to trigger negatively charged associations and the attribution of negative features. By using negation, Maier aims to emphasize Islam’s lack of positive values, while Kasprzak aims to imply its assertiveness. In addition, the Polish speaker manipulates by expressing concern for Polish families and children in order to justify his attacks on LGBT people and compares LGBT people to Nazis in order to demean the community. Incitements, on the other hand, are characteristic of Maier’s speech. They can be traced back to two general formulas: Something must be done about Muslims in Germany and Something must be taken away from Muslims in Germany.

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