1. Workshop: Coding for arrogance
Stephanie Schnurr
Workshop: Coding for arrogance

2. My main research interests
Professional communication
Medical communication
Political discourse

3. My main research interests
Professional communication
Leadership discourse
Discourse of professional athletes
Medical communication
Political discourse

4. Questions of arrogance
Professional communication
Leadership discourse
Discourse of professional athletes
Medical communication
Political discourse

5. Leadership discourse Leadership in the public domain:
Political leaders
Professional leaders (celebrities?)
Claims of arrogance associated with their public image
Closely linked with criticism, negative stance
But forgivable? Sometimes acceptable for a leader?

6. Some examples Public discourse around certain leaders:
“Donald Trump isn’t mad – he’s the arrogant boss we’ve all seen before” (headline in Guardian, Feb 2017)
“This is Steve Jobs. You think I’m an arrogant asshole who thinks he’s above the law, and I think you’re a slime bucket who gets most of his facts wrong.” (Steve Jobs calling journalist after interview)

7. Sports discourse Post-match TV interviews:
Athletes (carefully and often strategically) constructing and negotiating their identities and image
Issues of (perceived) arrogance are very relevant
Potentially detrimental effect on athlete’s image
Close link between inappropriate behaviour and (perceived) arrogance

8. An example Failed humour in a post-match interview
“Maybe it’s because I’m black” (Lewis Hamilton complaining about being (repeatedly) called out by the stewards for dangerous driving)
Received criticism from fans and media:
“I don't think this frustration justifies his arrogant and petulant attitude in his interview with Lee Mackenzie. HE NEEDS TO GROW UP!!”

9. My approaches Discourse analysis Interactional sociolinguistics
Contextualisation cues to identify markers of “arrogance” in discourse
para-linguistic (e.g. eyes, body, gesture, gaze)
linguistic (e.g. tone of voice, lexical choice, engagement with interaction)
Reactions (in media) to identify perceptions and accusations of arrogance

10. Particular interest Arrogance and leadership in public domain
Arrogance and sports discourse
Arrogance and humour
Link to failed humour?

11. Thank you! s.schnurr@warwick.ac.uk