Il linguaggio di António de Oliveira Salazar: analisi della retorica politica del Primo Ministro dell’Estado Novo

Introduction This study examines António de Oliveira Salazar's speeches to uncover the rhetorical strategies he employed during his leadership of the Estado Novo regime (1928-1967). By analyzing his speeches, we aim to create a discursive profile and explore hidden meanings that contributed to their persuasive power in the historical-political context. The study is organized into five chapters. The first addresses the foundations of political rhetoric, emphasizing its importance as a tool for persuasion and control. The second offers a biographical and political overview of Salazar and the key works on his rhetoric, particularly those influenced by the regime or post-1974. Chapters three to five focus on a deeper analysis of his speeches, including their rhetorical structure, religious undertones, and lexicometric analysis using AntConc software to highlight recurring themes and vocabulary. Through this analysis, we aim to demonstrate how Salazar's speeches were not mere reflections of his regime’s ideology, but active tools in shaping public opinion and consolidating his power. Conclusions Salazar's speeches are marked by an authoritarian, demagogic tone that manipulates the audience into perceived consensus. His use of rhythmic structures, binary oppositions, and strategic metaphors, particularly from medical and religious realms, reinforce his control over the audience. Additionally, recurring rhetorical strategies, including *captatio benevolentiae* and *indignatio*, evoke specific emotions and strengthen regime loyalty. A lexicometric analysis of his speeches reveals a deliberate use of vague language, allowing ideological flexibility and reinforcing the regime’s narrative across different contexts. Salazar’s discourse, therefore, acted as a powerful tool of social control, reflecting the complexities of the era while manipulating the public’s perceptions and emotions.