Speech and gestures in Premier Conte's TV messages during the Covid19 crisis

This paper analyzes political speeches by Italy's Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte in March 2020, when Italy first announced lockdown measures against Covid-19. The analysis focuses on the textual structure of the different speeches, and the verbal and nonverbal characteristics of Conte's political communication. The use of first-person plural pronouns, a slow pace, and long pauses reflect a communication centered on calm and confidence, in order to transmit a sense of control. This strategy is also emphasized by beat gestures underlining key point in the speeches, and by direct looks into the camera. This pattern is used to directly address Italians, and it is part of an articulated strategy aimed at involving the public into creating a united front in the fight against the Covid-19 spread.