QUEEN ELIZABETHS CHRISTMAS ADDRESSES: CORPUS ANALYSIS

Abstract

This article presents the study of lexis in Christmas speeches of Queen Elizabeth II through corpus analysis by way of Voyant Tools software which, allows for multilevel text analysis, including such tools as word frequency analysis, collocation analysis, and the creation of word clouds and their trends, the study reveals the evolution of the monarch's rhetoric. The purpose of this paper is to study the lexical features and the frequency of use of certain words during the period from 1952 to 2021. The analysis shows that the most frequently used words in the speeches are christmas, people, year and commonwealth, which reflects the Queen's focus on a global audience. The word cloud also shows the use of words hope, good and happy, which indicates the positive and unifying nature of Queen Elizabeth II's speeches, demonstrates a focus on uplifting values and highlights the desire for general prosperity and harmony in the country. The findings allow us to trace changes in lexical preferences and rhetorical strategies, particularly in the context of addresses to the nation during festive periods or in times of hardship and sadness. Most importantly, with the increased use of words related to unity and community, the study also found an evolution in the Queen's rhetoric towards a more inclusive approach aimed at bringing together different social groups, focusing on uniting not only UK citizens but also the Commonwealth. In addition, an increased focus on personal happiness, well-being, spirituality and family values was identified, which underscores the monarch's desire to create an emotional connection with her audience. The collocation analysis tool helped to reveal that concepts of world and family often coexist in the context of Christmas addresses, emphasising universal values in Queen Elizabeth's speeches. In addition, a comparative analysis of the Queen's speeches with those of other political and public figures seems to be appropriate, which will help to better understand the specifics of the monarchy's rhetoric in comparison with other forms of political communication.

Keywords: corpus analysis, lexical changes, corpus of texts, Christmas speeches, corpus linguistics, Queen Elizabeth II.