Description:
<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title>
<jats:p>In the present paper, I investigate the roles people refer to in political debates by using certain linguistic devices. As in theatre, the participants try to stage themselves, but also attribute a certain role to their adversary. This role-management can be captured by the notion of linguistic style. As a showcase this paper focuses on the ecological debate about wind farms in the Czech Republic. It will be shown that this argument is characterized by typical universal style devices which can be found in these debates in general. However, it can be observed that the Czech president Václav Klaus, who plays a very active role in the ecological debate of his country, has a distinct influence. Furthermore, there are certain argumentation styles which seem to be culturally specific.</jats:p>