A CRITICAL DISCOURSE ANALYSIS OF LANGUAGE OF APOLOGY BY RAHAT FATEH ALI KHAN

Abstract

Apologies employ language to resolve controversies and foster social harmony. The deliberate use of expression to mend relationships, influenced by social roles and cultural norms, is regarded as apology discourse. This study aims to critically examine Rahat Fateh Ali Khan's apology discourse using Fairclough’s 3D model in Critical Discourse Analysis as the research framework which includes three levels: textual (description) discursive practice (interpretation), and social practice (explanation). This study pinpoints important linguistic features at the textual level, such as lexical choices, discursive practice level looks into how discourse is produced and consumed. Additionally, the study also examines the larger cultural and ideological structures at social practices level. This study is qualitative in nature, paying special attention to lexical choices, emotive phrases, and connections to Islamic and cultural values. The results show that the first apology takes on a defensive tone involving denial and blame-shifting, whereas the second demonstrates partial acknowledgment of responsibility, spiritual justification, and reputation management. Rahat Fateh Ali Khan's apologies ultimately show a calculated blend of religious language with cultural conventions to protect his public persona and moral integrity. Thus, the study emphasizes how apologetic language serves as a rhetorical tool for ideological bargaining and image restoration in culturally specific contexts.