Abstract (eng)
This master’s thesis examines the linguistic and communicative means (at a lexis and syntax level and in the form of metaphorization, framing, etcetera) being used by four leading Aus-trian government and opposition politicians in interviews that are published in Austrian dai-ly newspapers regarding the current Corona pandemic and explores the respective objective. The investigation is conducted methodically on the basis of a qualitative content analysis of selected interviews, which were published in two quality newspapers and one tabloid over the course of one year starting in March 2020. Concerning the diverging management style of the Corona crisis by political actors – depending on affiliation to government or opposi-tion –, this study focuses on identified discrepancies on a linguistic and functional level and the resulting semantic consequences.