THE AUSTRO -HUNGARIAN ULTIMATUM SENT TO SERBIA

JOHN 12A

Language in Cultural Context

Imagine..

What causes this?

LanguageCultural Context

Language

What is language?A human system of communication that uses

arbitrary signals, such as voice sounds, gestures, or written symbols.[1]

[1] http://grammar.about.com/od/il/g/languageterm.htm

System of communication

Arbitrary – No principles / rules

Cultural Context

Cultural (culture)

The characteristics of a group of people.

Context

The circumstances that form the setting for an event, statement, or idea.

Language in Cultural Context

What is Language in Cultural Context?

A setting or environment where there are characteristics that define what the norm is.

AUSTRO HUNGARIAN ULTIMATUM

Issue

Historical Austro-Hungarian Background

Founded 1867

Formed through union between the Empire of Austria and the Kingdom of Hungary

Located in Central Europe

Part of alliance called the ‘Central Powers’

Central Powers Historical Background

The German Empire

The Austro-Hungarian

EmpireThe Kingdom

of BulgariaThe Ottoman

Empire

Timeline

1878 –Serbia becomes independent.

1906 – The Pig War: Austro-Hungary bans all pork exports to Serbia.

1908

Bosnia Crisis: Austro-Hungary annexes Bosnia.

Timeline July 8th 1914

Archduke Franz Ferdinand visits Bosnia and is assassinated by a Serbian.

Ultimatum Sent

July 22, 1914

Ultimatum Background

The Austro-Hungarian Ultimatum to Serbia (English Translation)

Reinforcement by Germany, The “Blank Check”

Text Type

Paper based message, most likely a printed telegram. Only text is present.

Audience

The intended audience for this Ultimatum is the Serbian Government.

Purpose

The Explicit motive:

Austro-Hungary’s desire for retribution and justice

The Implicit motive:

Austro-Hungary’s desire to annex Serbia

THE ULTIMATUM IS STRUCTURED INTO 4 SECTIONS.

Structure

THE FOUR SECTIONS

INTRODUCTIONARGUMENTS

DEMANDSSUPPORT

1st - Introduction

Introduction on context of Ultimatum

Serbia to hold an objective viewpoint

Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

2nd – Argument

Demonstrate the reasoning behind the Ultimatum

failure to contain civil aggression against Austro-Hungary

Involvement of Serbians in murder of Archduke Franz Ferdinand Gavrilo Princip

Murdered Archduke Fraz Ferinand.

3rd - Demands

Declare the position and wants of Austro-Hungary

Remove all Anti Austro-Hungarian propaganda

Removal of Serbian officials associated with assassination

Mutual investigation on the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

4th – Support

Factual information gathered through investigation of the murder of Archduke Franz

Ferdinand

Details the weapons involvedDetails the perpetrators involvedDetails the procedure involved

THREE TONE TYPES.

Tone

Informative, Literal (to the point)

“have proved the existence of a subversive movement in Serbia”

“It is clear from the statements and confessions of the criminal authors”

Used to make information logical and argumentative.

Controlling / Authoritative

“the Royal Serbian Government will publish on the first page of its official organ”

“Serbia binds herself to desist from the attitude of protest and opposition”

Used to show superiority and dominance over Serbia.

Hopeful and promising

“Serbia, in accepting the advice of the Great Powers”

“and to live on the footing of friendly and neighborly relations with Austro Hungary in the

future.”

Used to reduce any feelings of aggression.

Language

Author’s Attitude

Ultimatum starts with “Your Excellency will present the following note to the Royal

[Serbian] Government”

“YOUR EXCELLENCY”

Language Defined

Language type

SophisticatedFormalDirectObjective according to their facts

Language Type

Mainly Denotative Language (non-emotional association)

Some use of Connotative Language (emotional association)

“This movement, which came into being under the very eyes of the Serbian Government”

“and particularly the painful events of the 28th of June”

Language

Third Person

Eg.

“Serbia recognizes that her rights ”“the Royal Serbian Minister at the Court of Vienna”“order of the day from His Majesty the King”

Literary Terms and Devices

Label:Document is declared an Ultimatum

Tragedy: Repeated mention of the date of murder of the archduke, not the actual event to provoke guilt

and morose.

Conclusion

Responded with a rejection to 6th point of the ultimatum as it violates the Serbian Constitution

therefore triggering the start of World War 1.