Impoliteness and Persuasion in Greta Thunberg's Public Speeches on Climate Change

Bonyadi, Alireza; Al-Shaibani, Ghayth Kamel Shaker; Xia, Chenri; Singh, Manmeetpal Kaur A/P P. Harpal; Chan, Choi Sim

doi:10.22034/ijpie.2026.555715.1155

Impoliteness and Persuasion in Greta Thunberg's Public Speeches on Climate Change

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Alireza Bonyadi ¹

Ghayth Kamel Shaker Al-Shaibani ²

Chenri Xia ³

Manmeetpal Kaur A/P P. Harpal Singh ⁴

Choi Sim Chan ⁵

¹ English department, Faculty of Humanities, Urmia Brach, Islamic Azad University, Iran

² Institute of Languages, UCSI University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

³ Faculty of Languages and Linguistics, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

⁴ Department of Education, Faculty of Social Sciences and Liberal Arts, UCSI University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

⁵ Department of Mass Communication, Faculty of Social Sciences and Liberal Arts, UCSI University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

10.22034/ijpie.2026.555715.1155

Abstract

The present paper examines the impoliteness strategies in Greta Thunberg's public speeches on climate change and their role in persuasive communication. Employing an integrated framework of Culpeper's Impoliteness Strategies and Aristotle's Rhetorical Appeals, we qualitatively analyzed twelve speeches. The findings indicate that bald on-record impoliteness is the dominant strategy, used to express frustration and deliver direct criticism toward politicians and adults. This straightforwardness constructs ethos by projecting a persona of bold truth-telling. Furthermore, negative impoliteness, which expresses disappointment with the indifference of older generations, cultivates pathos by aligning with the perspective of youth and fostering a shared emotional response. Similarly, the use of sarcasm to mock politicians enhances pathos by provoking audience indignation at perceived incompetence. Finally, positive impoliteness, manifested through direct disagreement, underscores her use of logos by pinpointing logical flaws in policymakers' positions. Overall, this study substantiates the persuasive power of impoliteness in public oratory. It offers new insights into how strategic face-threatening acts can generate persuasive discourse capable of mobilizing action towards climate action.

Keywords

Aristotle Rhetorical Appeals

climate change

Culpeper' s Impoliteness Strategies

persuasion

Greta Thunberg

Subjects

Discourse Analysis

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