Abstract：

Courtroom discourse has become a key focus in discourse analysis, with particular attention to how judges construct their identities through language. This study analyzes two civil trial broadcasts from China’s Court Open Network, using discourse analysis methods to explore how judges construct three identities: authoritative judge, popular educator, and order maintainer. Judges reinforce their authoritative identity through longer speeches and interruptions, ensuring the smooth progress of the trial. As educators, judges explain legal terms and ask questions to help parties understand the law, thus enhancing trust in judicial processes. As order maintainers, judges intervene and issue instructions to preserve courtroom order. Overall, judges effectively construct these three identities through these discourse strategies, thereby strengthening judicial fairness.

Key Words：

discourse analysis; courtroom discourse; judicial identity; turn taking