The management of time in parliamentary discourse

Abstract

The principal aim of this article is to observe how time is managed in the interactions that take place in parliamentary contexts. More concretely, we will centre our analysis on the discursive modality known as Oral Question. In order to achieve our goal, we will detain in the combination of pauses and rate of speech in the interactions of Clara Aguilera (Adviser of the Agriculture and Fishing of the Government of Andalusia), Juan A. Cebrián (Member of Parliament of the Partido Socialista Obrero Español) and Jose E. Fernández de Moya (Member of Parliament of the Partido Popular). Our intention is to identify the strategic uses of the discursive rhythm by the Members of Parliament as well to initiate, with this article, a deep investigation on possible differences between the discursive strategies of men and women.