The strategic use of language in political discourse is crucial to shaping public perception and influence, especially in intercultural communication contexts. This study examines the use of boosters—linguistic devices that enhance persuasiveness and assertiveness to convey authority and credibility—by Malaysian politicians during podcast interviews. Drawing on Demir’s (2017) categorisation framework, this discourse-pragmatic analysis identifies the types of boosters used in podcast discourse and examines gender variations across one male and one female politician. The findings reveal that while both male and female politicians exhibit broad shared patterns in the employment of boosters, distinct differences emerge in the specific types of boosters preferred by each gender. These findings suggest that the employment of boosters by individuals in positions of power is influenced by a confluence of factors, including prevailing societal norms and expectations, individual rhetorical styles, and unique personal experiences. This study further demonstrates the critical role of linguistic boosters, highlighting their complex interplay with gender dynamics and power structures in the contemporary multicultural Malaysian political landscape.

Keywords: linguistic boosters; gender dynamics; discourse pragmatics; podcast; intercultural communication

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