INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
ISSN: 2692-5206, Impact Factor: 12,23
American Academic publishers, volume 05, issue 04,2025
Journal:
https://www.academicpublishers.org/journals/index.php/ijai
page 427
FORMAL AND INFORMAL DIPLOMATIC DISCOURSE
Boymirzaeva Fayozakhon
a master student of Uzbekistan State World Languages University.
Annotation:
This article is about diplomatic discourse which is a fundamental component of
international relations, shaping the communication between states, international organizations
and diplomatic representatives. This article examines the nature, characteristics, and
significance of both types of diplomatic communication, emphasizing their role in negotiation,
conflict resolution, and international cooperation.
Keywords:
diplomatic discourse, formal communication, informal communication,
international relations, diplomatic negotiation.
Annotatsiya:
Ushbu maqola diplomatik nutq haqida bo‘lib, u xalqaro munosabatlarning asosiy
tarkibiy qismi hisoblanadi va davlatlar, xalqaro tashkilotlar hamda diplomatik vakillar
o‘rtasidagi muloqotni shakllantiradi. Ushbu maqola diplomatik muloqotning ikki turi – rasmiy
va norasmiy shakllarining mohiyati, xususiyatlari va ahamiyatini tahlil qiladi hamda ularning
muzokaralar, nizolarni hal qilish va xalqaro hamkorlikdagi rolini yoritadi.
Kalit so‘zlar:
diplomatik nutq, rasmiy muloqot, norasmiy muloqot, xalqaro munosabatlar,
diplomatik muzokaralar.
Diplomatic discourse plays a crucial role in international relations, facilitating
communication between states, international organizations, and governmental representatives.
The language used in diplomacy can be categorized into formal and informal discourse, each
serving different purposes and contexts. While formal diplomatic discourse is characterized by
structured, polite, and legally binding language, informal discourse tends to be more flexible,
conversational, and relationship-oriented. This article explores these two types of diplomatic
communication, their characteristics, and their significance in international interactions.
Diplomatic discourse can be defined as a structured system of communication between
diplomat and officials in international roles. It is a form of institutional discourse in which
interaction between the addresser and the adressee of messages plays a central role. The
adresser is responsible for creating and transmitting the written messages while the adressee
interprets and understands them. Diplomats or government representatives act as adressers
while other diplomats, institutions or the public are considered to be the adressees. Diplomatic
discourse is characterized by formality, precision and conciseness, requiring participants to
adhere to strict communicative norms. Diplomats do not express personal opinions but
represent their country’s official position. If they disagree with their government, they must
either comply or step down, following the principle: "se soumettre ou se demettre" (submit or
resign). For diplomats, "independence of judgment should not amount to violation of
discipline." [2, 58].
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
ISSN: 2692-5206, Impact Factor: 12,23
American Academic publishers, volume 05, issue 04,2025
Journal:
https://www.academicpublishers.org/journals/index.php/ijai
page 428
Although the style of diplomatic discourse differs across cultures, they follow universally
accepted conventions and international protocols. Formal diplomatic discourse is typically used
in official documents, treaties, legal agreements and diplomatic correspondences such as notes
verbales, communiqués and official speeches. It adheres to strict linguistic and rhetorical norms,
emphasizing clarity, neutrality and legal precision. Informal diplomatic discourse is used in less
rigid settings, such as private meetings, behind-the-scenes negotiations and informal diplomatic
correspondence. It allows for a more personal and dynamic exchange of ideas, often fostering
trust and diplomacy outside official channels.
Diplomats must follow strict rules that they have to deal with handling important documents.
They are responsible for reading, preparing and executing these documents which might be
addressed to foreign representatives or the government. This means diplomatic documents can
be either internal (for the government) or external (for interaction with other countries).
A key part of diplomatic documentation consists of internal government records. Another
important category includes documents used for offcial communication between countries,
expressing their positions on various issues. These documents are written in diplomatic
language which is specifically used for offical diplomatic relations. This language includes
standard phrases, set expressions and specialized terms that form a universally accepted
diplomatic discourse.
Although diplomatic writing should be clear and simple, it should be in a formal and precise
way. Instead, it follows a refined form of simplicity, where every word is chosen carefully to
convey the intended meaning precisely. There is an avoidance of the use of unnecessary
adjectives as they are not essential for accuracy.
Moreover, the main types of diplomatic correspondance, which plays a central role in foreign
policy and diplomatic activities, include persoanl notes, memorandums and notes verbales.
Diplomatic discourse also has specific participants, known as agents. These agents fall into two
categories: professional diplomats within the diplomatic corps and senior government officials
involved in political decision-making. The audience or addressee, of diplomatic discourse is
equally distinct. It includes diplomats of various ranks and, in some cases, the general public,
who receive information through the media. [2, 59].
The purpose of diplomatic discourse is to inform both national and international audiences
about a government’s stance on main international issues.
Diplomatic discourse has a political and public nature shaped by its purpose and context. The
way people communicate in diplomacy depends on the situation and goals of interaction.
Beyond the primary objectives, a crucial secondary goal of the participants is to foster
agreement in international politics. This includes conflict resolution, the establishment of
mutually beneficial relations between states, the alignment of interests and the expansion of
cooperation. In this sense, diplomatic discourse is a strucutured negotiation process based on
communication psychology.
This means diplomacy is a specialized field requiring specific skills. As communication is just
one part of any speech , the process of expressing thoughts with words happens within a
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
ISSN: 2692-5206, Impact Factor: 12,23
American Academic publishers, volume 05, issue 04,2025
Journal:
https://www.academicpublishers.org/journals/index.php/ijai
page 429
particular situation, influenced by different factors. Therefore, this process involves the
linguistic expression of cognitive constructs related to the subject matter. As a result, a
comprehensive speech act integrates cognitive, communicative and linguistic dimensions.
A.A.Leontiev explains that how a speaker strcutures their message depends on how they
understand the situation. In other words, even if a conversation has a shared topic and goal, the
way the situation is perceived might vary among speakers and listeners due to their unique
psychological characteristics. Within diplomatic discourse, the linguistic personality of a
diplomat plays a key role. Effective communication relies on the diplomat’s cognitive,
communicative and linguisitc abilities. Therefore, diplomatic discource is considered to be
different from regular conversations. What sets it apart from other types of communication is its
multidirectional nature as it takes place in both public and private settings. The audience can be
both the general public and informed and highly trained diplomatic partners. This affects how
diplomats choose their words, interact, and achieve their goals, all depending on their language
skills and communication style. [2, 59-60].
FORMAL DIPLOMATIC DOCUMENTS
In the past, full powers were granted through a general proclamation without a specific
recipient. For example, the British foreign secretary used to receive such powers from the queen.
However, modern diplomatic practice and the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic
Relations recognize that a foreign minister automatically has the authority to represent their
country in international affairs.
Accreditation letters, on the other hand, are always addressed to a specific person, such as a
head of state, foreign minister, or secretary-general. These letters follow a standard format,
expressing confidence in the accredited person and requesting recognition of their authority.
Diplomatic notes between governments follow a traditional style, usually starting with a polite
introduction like “XXX presents its compliments to YYY and has the honour to...” and ending
with a respectful closing. Official names of institutions are used at first (e.g., “The Ministry of
Foreign Affairs of the Republic of...”), but shorter versions like “the Ministry” appear later in
the text. Even when sending protests or breaking relations, a respectful tone is maintained.
Today, diplomatic notes have become less formal, similar to the Aide-Mémoire style. In
agreements made through an exchange of notes, it is now common for the accepting party to
simply refer to the original offer instead of repeating the full text. [3, 107].
In the past, treaties were written in a very formal way. The title included the full names of the
countries involved, followed by an introduction that listed the names and titles of their
representatives. A preamble came before the main clauses, and the final clauses were also
written in a formal tone. For bilateral treaties, two original copies were made, with each
country’s name appearing first in its own version. These copies were signed by representatives
and then exchanged. Today, treaties are often simplified, omitting the names of representatives
except in the signature section at the end.
Previously, when a country agreed to be legally bound by a treaty without signing it, this was
done through an official document called an instrument of ratification or accession. For bilateral
treaties, this document included the full national version of the treaty and a statement of
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
ISSN: 2692-5206, Impact Factor: 12,23
American Academic publishers, volume 05, issue 04,2025
Journal:
https://www.academicpublishers.org/journals/index.php/ijai
page 430
ratification. For multilateral treaties, a standardized statement of ratification or accession was
submitted in a formal ceremony. Today, countries can express consent to be bound by a treaty
through diplomatic notes instead. This method, if allowed by the treaty, simplifies the process,
especially for bilateral agreements, by removing the need for a formal exchange of documents.
Now, notifications of consent can even be sent by diplomatic missions or mail.
In conclusion, diplomatic discourse remains a cornerstone of international communication,
ensuring effective interactions between nations, organizations and diplomats. Its structured
nature, adherence to formalities and use of specific linguistic conventions contribute to clarity,
neutrality and the facilitation of negotiations. As diplomatic practices evolve, the balance
between formal and informal discourse plays a crucial role in fostering international
cooperation, resolving conflicts and shaping global policies. The adaptability and precision of
diplomatic language remain essential for achieving diplomatic objectives in an increasingly
interconnected world.
Bibliography:
1. Berkowitz, R., Heimann, G., & Kampf, Z. (2024). Performing good diplomatic relations:
The case of presidential introductory conversations during credential ceremonies. Journal of
Pragmatics, 229, 118-129.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pragma.2024.06.009
2. Mirzamatova, Z. A., & Mukhiddinova, K. S. (2021, November). Lexico-semantic and
stylistic features of diplomatic correspondence (On the example of English and Uzbek
languages). Uzbekistan State World Languages University.
3. Kurbalija, J., & Slavik, H. (Eds.). (2001). Language and diplomacy. Academic Training
Institute.
