A Variant of Concern, not a Variant of Panic: A Critical Discourse Analysis of WHO Director – General’s Remarks on Omicron

Omicron, the new COVID-19 variant, is identified as a variant of concern according to the World Health Organization (WHO). This paper presents a study in the representation of Omicron variant in the WHO director general’s remarks. The study aims to show how such representation can effectively contribute to the war against the pandemic. In order to achieve the aim, Fariclough’s (2001) framework and Longacre’s (1992) components of hortatory texts are used for the critical discourse analysis of WHO director general’s remarks on omicron. Based on data analysis, the results showed that the director general remarks on omicron contain a great amount of power in which the world can fight the variant. The remarks are presented clearly and simply to the public starting with establishing authority, presenting the problem and solutions, issuing commands and then resorting to motivations. The director general illustrates that the world possesses powerful tools to fight the virus. Such remarks can help in the war against the pandemic, raise people’s awareness, and uncover governments’ negative and weak preparations and responses.

Anahtar Kelimeler: Omicron, critical discourse analysis, hortatory texts

Omicron, the new COVID-19 variant, is identified as a variant of concern according to the World Health Organization (WHO). This paper presents a study in the representation of Omicron variant in the WHO director general’s remarks. The study aims to show how such representation can effectively contribute to the war against the pandemic. In order to achieve the aim, Fariclough’s (2001) framework and Longacre’s (1992) components of hortatory texts are used for the critical discourse analysis of WHO director general’s remarks on omicron. Based on data analysis, the results showed that the director general remarks on omicron contain a great amount of power in which the world can fight the variant. The remarks are presented clearly and simply to the public starting with establishing authority, presenting the problem and solutions, issuing commands and then resorting to motivations. The director general illustrates that the world possesses powerful tools to fight the virus. Such remarks can help in the war against the pandemic, raise people’s awareness, and uncover governments’ negative and weak preparations and responses.

Keywords: Omicron, critical discourse analysis, hortatory texts

Abbas, A. H. (2022). A Variant of Concern, not a Variant of Panic: A Critical Discourse Analysis of WHO Director – General’s Remarks on Omicron. Journal of Current Researches on Health Sector, 12 (1), 1-12.