Naslov
Influence of verbal communication in shaping Dubrovnik`s identity in the first diplomatic contacts with the Ottoman Empire

Autori
Zovko, Valentina

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Sažeci sa skupova, neobjavljeni rad, znanstveni

Skup
Identity in Flux, First biennial conference in the series Past, Present, Future

Mjesto i datum
Pula, Hrvatska, 28.05.2015. - 30.05.2015

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Predavanje

Vrsta recenzije
Nije recenziran

Ključne riječi
Dubrovnik, diplomacy, identity, Ottoman Empire, 15 th century

Sažetak
The first diplomatic missions from Dubrovnik to the Sublime Porte played an important role in forming the identity of their city. Ambassadors from Dubrovnik were empowered to represent their city during crucial moments in the Ottoman westward expansion. Their missions' success influenced the city's position under new circumstances characterized by constant shifts in the balance of power. This talk is focused on oral declarations by Ragusan ambassadors, which can be seen as an attempt to define, describe, and typify the community they are authorized to represent. Although these statements were used primarily to achieve various pragmatic aims, at the same time they can be perceived as an expression of the qualities of the city-state. Their messages reflected their beliefs, traditions, and customs of their culture in correlation with the specific conditions in which they functioned. Their choices depended on assessments of their efficiency. However, sometimes their missions did not end with the desired outcome because their system of values did not correspond to that of Islamic culture. Nevertheless, over time the initial confusion and concerns were eventually alleviated by the practical experience they acquired. An analysis of the verbal communication between Dubrovnik’s ambassadors and the Porte, from the establishment of formal diplomatic relations to the acceptance of a tributary relationship, facilitates an examination of changes in the way they expressed their identity through verbal arguments and how they manipulated said arguments–in other words, how they wielded propaganda and ideology. In that sense, this verbal communication by the ambassadors is viewed as performativity that conveys a message and actively participates in its construction.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Povijest

POVEZANOST RADA