Readability and Simplicity of Arabic Political Discourse

This main aim of tis study is to investigate two speeches that Mubarak of Egypt delivered during the notion of Arab Spring in terms of simplicity and readability. The two speeches are the ones aired live on the national TV of Egypt on the 28th of January 2011 and the second one, which was given just one day before Mubarak left the presidency, was aired on the 10th February 2011. This study is one of the first studies that applied readability and simplicity formulas on Arabic texts. In accordance to three different readability and simplicity formulas the two chosen speeches of Mubarak were judged to be simple and not hard to read by the expected audience of Mubarak. It is suggested that Mubarak did not succeed in reaching his goal and his audience regardless of his attempts. The protesters besieged Mubarak’s palace and did not leave until the resignation of Mubarak was aired on TV.