Speech Acts Analysis of the Statements of Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan

This study highlights the statements by the belated Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan: May his soul rest in peace, underpinning the speech acts theory. It is a novel approach to examine a leader’s statements on tolerance especially in the Arabian Gulf nations. This study aims to analyze Sheikh Zayed’s statements on tolerance in terms of their meaning, intentions, and effects or perceptions. It examines the way in which speech acts are used to create powerful communication when they are translated. This study uses a qualitative method employing a descriptive research design. In this research, data was collected through official newspapers and media portals of the UAE and the National Archive. Findings showed that locutionary acts were prominent speech acts that were dominantly presented in statements by Sheikh Zayed throughout his term as the President of the UAE.