Language in Conspiracy Theories Outlines of a Research Project

ABSTRACT

Due to their inflammatory social and political nature, conspiracy theories have long been the subject of extensive research in various areas such as sociology, psychology, philosophy, media studies, history and political science. However, linguists have hitherto neglected to discover conspiracy theories as an area of investigation. This article outlines the research project Language in Conspiracy Theories, which has been funded by the DFG since October 2022. This project investigates how conspiracy theories are constructed as social reality with and through language. It aims to make a necessary complementation to previous research on conspiracy theories and, by focusing on the hitherto excluded language aspect, to contribute to an urgently needed, more comprehensive understanding of conspiracy theories. Therefore, the rhetorical strategies, specific linguistic means and practices that are characteristic of talking about alleged conspiracies are placed at the center of examination, as they contribute to the plausibility of conspiracy theories.