Communicational functions and discursive ups and downs of the health authority in Mexico facing COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

In this text, we present a first exploration of discourse analysis and its meaning effects in the COVID-19 pandemic. In this exploration exercise we propose a theoretical and contextual framework that includes the study of the communicative functions of some discursive practices that in the case of the pandemic have been abundant and highly diversified in their materiality, actors, channels and effects. In the theoretical discussion of the work we focus on the metalinguistic, referential and emotional functions, from which we derive a reflection that allows us to characterize the discursive complexity of the pandemic. At a more specific level, we present some general characteristics of the authority’s discourse in its attempt to justify/legitimize its interpretation andpolitical, health, and communication treatment, as well as to manage the effects of its action.