Cambodia 1991-94: hierarchy, neutrality and etiquettes of discourse

Abstract

The dissertation is concerned with how the negotiation of conventions of public discourse correlates to changing political economy. It focuses on Cambodia during the period immediately before and after the 1993 U.N.-sponsored elections. The dissertation develops the idea of "discursive etiquette" as a working concept. From this perspective it examines Cambodian conventions of social hierarchy, Khmer linguistic etiquette, and the discourse of the Cambodian news media as they have changed in relation to social and political change in recent years. Specific chapters focus on hierarchically marked pronouns and terms of address, satirical cartoons, and styles of newspaper writing. The dissertation also includes a close description of the Information/Education Division of the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC) and its role in the negotiation of public discourse at the time of the elections.