ansprêchenansprechen

Ansprêchenansprechen is a neologistic term used in discourse analysis to describe a hybrid communicative act that merges making a claim (ansprêchen) with addressing the audience directly (ansprechen). The term is not part of standard German dictionaries and appears mainly in academic discussions of rhetoric and political communication.

Etymology and usage notes: the word fuses two German verbs, ansprêchen (to claim or lay claim to) and ansprechen (to address, to appeal to). The circumflex is a stylistic marker used in some texts to emphasize the blended nature of the act. In practice, ansprêchenansprechen designates utterances that both assert a position and invite or require a response from a specific audience.

Definition: in one utterance, a speaker asserts a stance, entitlement, or policy position while simultaneously addressing the audience’s identities, values, or needs. This combination aims to confer legitimacy for the claim and to maximize relevance by shaping the message to the audience’s expectations.

Function and contexts: the device is common in political rhetoric, campaigns, public announcements, and advocacy writings. It serves to establish credibility (ethos) and to increase persuasive resonance by linking a claim to the audience’s interests.

Characteristics and strategies: typical features include direct second-person address, references to shared values or identities, and framing of benefits that matter to the audience. Such utterances often use inclusive language and concrete, audience-centered reasoning.

Critique: the label is not universally standardized, and some analyses warn that it can blur the line between claim and appeal, potentially reducing critical evaluation of the argument.

See also: Ansprechen, Ansprache, ethos, rhetorical appeals.