LA ALTERNANCIA ATENUACIÓN-INTENSIFICACIÓN: ESTRATEGIA DE REFUERZO ARGUMENTATIVO.

In this paper we analyze the use of the alternation attenuation/intensification as an argumentative strategy in the political discourse. We have used ten interpellations from the Journal of Sessions of the Parliament of Andalucía, belonging to the VIIIth Term (2010-2011), and six interpellations from the IXth Term (2013-2014). The distribution attenuation/intensification does not follow the pattern which is to be hoped: according to the role of the member of Parliament -according to his role of more power (Government) / less power (Opposition)-the politician should use intensification in speeches in which he shows his achievements, and he should use attenuation in his defence before accusations; whereas a member of Parliament belonging to the Opposition should preferably use intensification as an essential resource for accusation and critique. However, we can find situations in which, from positions of denouncement or critique, some members of Parliament use attenuation not only as a resource but as a constitutive principle of his entire discourse. This fact is in principle paradoxical, but it has a very clear argumentative functionality: attenuation can be used in order to intensify the argumentative strength of the discourse. The alternation attenuation/intensification focuses on the propositional content, intensifying it. The difficult equilibrium of the play attenuation/intensification shows the tension between the desire for softening, in order to protect the image, and the desire for accusing clearly, in order to discredit the adversary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]