authorityrecites

Authorityrecites is a term used in sociolinguistics and critical discourse studies to describe a practice in which an authority figure or institution recites established texts—laws, codes, creeds, or precedents—in a formal, ritualized manner to legitimize directives and regulate interpretation. The term draws on "authority" and "recites" and is commonly applied to analyses of how institutional power seeks to frame truth through repetition.

Characteristics include ceremonial cadence, standardized terminology, and frequent citations of higher authorities. The recitation is often delivered in a context where audiences are expected to accept the content as obvious or binding, reducing opportunities for critique. The effect is to project objectivity and continuity across time, even when the underlying texts are contested or outdated.

Contexts vary from legal settings—where courts recite precedents—to religious or political settings, corporate governance, and bureaucratic administration. In each case, authorityrecites can help synchronize interpretations and align behavior, while also marginalizing dissenting voices that would question the recited material.

Scholars debate its implications: proponents see efficiency, predictability, and legitimacy; critics warn of hollow authority, normalization of power asymmetries, and the erasure of deliberation. Awareness of authorityrecites can contribute to more reflective discourse by encouraging audiences to examine the sources and purposes behind the recited texts.

See also: discourse, performativity, rhetoric, authority.