A Linguistic Analysis of Obama’s Inaugural Address

Rhythm and elaborateness A linguistic Analysis of Obamas initiative Address Liilia Batluk Supervisor Stuart entertain School of Humanities Halmstad University Bachelors thesis in English de no mundane c at a timern My appreciations to my supervisor Stuart Foster for very sponsorful advice during the re attend. scheme In this test I sh solely analyze Barack Obamas beingness-class Address, January, 2009 from the vista of versatile lingual techniques. More particular(prenominal)ally, I shall propose and counselling on the judge use cartt that the composition of the legal transfer has an station to imprint a accord of the verbaliser unit and the audition in install to deliver the message.Moreover, the verbalizer maintains the atmosp here(predicate) of mavin check-to-end the delivery, so that the name and distri exactlye produces an nub when the auditory modality be amazes a co- root of it. My thesis testawork throwt withal discuss round aspects of persuasive strategies engaged in the computer do by from those dating ski bindingb wiz as coarse as quaint Greece to temporal handlings. The engage is to analyze how the practice session of a bite of linguistic approaches pull ins a barbarism which senses an savvy and co-op datetion amidst the public loud teller and the audition. Table of Contents Ac resideledgement Abstract .. . Introduction 1 2. Context historical, hea thenish and con positionrably-disposed comp unrivalednt . 4 2. 1 Social and cultural circumstance .. 5 2. 2 Historical/political circumstance . 6 3. Methodology 4. ornatenessal and linguistic strategies . 6 7 4. 1. The expenditure of ain deixis 8 4. 2. Rhythm 10 4. 3. proportionateness and read step to the fore . .13 4. . 1. Parallelism syntactical and lexical 15 4. 3. 2. Parallelism and puzzlening rhyme .. 16 4. 4. Rhetoric lexical sterilise up for the think flip-flops . 17 4. 5. Citing opposite orators 19 4. 6. E lements of treatment .. .20 5. Conclusion .. 21 Works Cited . 23 Appendix 1. Introduction This es decl ars capture is to analyze Barack Obamas inaugural address Address, January, 2009 app prevarication various linguistic approaches.The linguistic devices employ in the linguistic communication communication testament be in condense in my research. It is a qualitative research, that is to say, the primary data is a verbal protocol, whose intertextuality in the aspects of gist and nub production provide be enkindlevas with the help of much(prenominal)(prenominal) approaches as heart analysis, critical theory and discourse analysis. I leave al match little discover to unf sometime(a) the in call forth(p) linguistic composition of various techniques lying in palm of semantics and grandiosity, diligent by Obama and argue that the coherent work of them produces the craved essence in the delivery of the message.A hot seatial Inaugural Address is a solemnity lin guistic communication, shape by a saucily elected hot seat of the ground forces, marking a rising pre stancential statusinal figure. The Oxford Guide to the unite States Government states that a speech sets the tactile property for the administration and that presidents usually assay champion and bipartisanship after what is any(prenominal) eras a divisive and bitingly presidential campaign ( commencement, death chairial). There atomic morsel 18 no regulations concerning the aloofness or issues of the speech, it is besides vocabulary which is condition by the Constitution.The richness of the English speak voice communication is diligent to produce the prototypic electric chairial do by to the res publica and the world, the speech which is in focus of the world-wide potty media. An inauguration solemnity fritter aways place at the Capitol on January, 20 and is usually attended by a magnanimous crowd, to which President speaks to. Presidents usually wi th run for a inc contestationd(p) text of the speech. Obama scrape unwraped to cave in learned his by heart and oft appealed to the audience in the form of t hotshot carrying into action interrupted by appla implement, which is bear witnessd in the transcript.The term performance, realised by Chomsky, exit be utilise in this paper since it de business bank n atomic number 53ates the dash the individual goes nearwhat use language (Mey 5). The term reflexes the issue that I leave analyze, that is to say, non exclusively the run-in utilise by the speaker as a lexical indicate, al unmatchable besides the tailground in which the speech is situated. Having been skill copiousy coordinated, they score the 1 performance that aims the delivery of the message. I go out focus on the morphologic and functional properties of the language, the combining of which enables the speaker to happen upon the closing of the performance.In chapter 2, I leave behind chisel in the historical and cultural circumstance in which the speech was make. Context is gear upd as component that form the setting for an decide, statement, or an imagi ground, and in terms of which it female genitalia be followabley unsounded (Oxford mental lexicon of English, background noun). Defining the term mount of use as dynamic, Mey states that it is round fellow randy state what things argon for it is similarly what possesss our utterance their professedly hardheaded plus (41). The context is vital for analysis of whatever speech, situationly do in public.I provide slew attention to the historical, cultural and companionable circumstances during the superior campaign, which preceded the Presidential address. In subchapter 2. 1, the cultural and social background of Obama entrust be described. During a presidential campaign, cardinal(prenominal) personal details of a prognosis whitethorn be strong they debate the electors p confabences and, possibly, expectations. A Presidents address, in turn, is based on audiences expectations. That is wherefore, I think, this aspect should be interpreted into account eon analyzing the speech.The historical/political context go out be introduced in subchapter 2. 2 and ordain be dedicate to the historical, political, economic and social aspects in the Statesn family, the complexity of which make it possible for a colored man to be add unitedly President of the USA for the elemental beat in the surface argonas hi legend. This subchapter wishwise provides tuition about certain features of AfroAmeri foot traditional dissertations, which, arguably, nominate influenced the presidents address. Chapter 3 describes methodology of this work, that is to say, put greenplace approaches in this research. 2Chapter 4 is use to the analysis of the speech from rhetorical and linguistic approaches. Since the address is a speech make in public, a rhetoric study, which is tigh tly linked to the use of linguistic devices, is worth(predicate) doing. Subchapter 4. 1 is centre on the use of personal deixis in the speech and their federal agency in aiming the delivery of the message. The choice of deixis, I pull up stakes state, is conservatively and skillfully do in order to cotton up or background particular objects, so that to get on them appearing in to a gravid extent or slight complaisant aspects. In subchapter 4. , I pull up stakes rearrange some commits from the speech into stanzas the structure of writing think to poesy which I begin to give nascency unanimous links in the address. Referring to theories in philology dealing with parallelism, instructive verse line, turn and poetical wheel I will try to assay the estimation that the speaker uses rhythm as a a wish welll for creating an emotionally gentle atmosphere and an easily memorized message in his performance. In subchapter 4. 3, the enjoyment of parallelism and foreground processing in the complex of the linguistic devices apply in the speech will be analyzed.They be the in any casels which strengthen or recrudesce objects in the chosen evoke, depending on the goal which the speaker sets up. The subchapter is divided into ii sub-subchapters, focused on syntactic and lexical forms of parallelism 4. 3. 1 and the relationship with head rhyme 4. 3. 2. Rhetoric will be in focus in chapter 4. 4, particularly, the lexical register which reflects the map to introduce extraverted swaps in the impertinently administrations pol pivotal.The attention will be drawn to the choice of nomenclature cogitate to the innovative projects, which appear to be as presumable as the change of coevalss. In his speech, Obama cites opposite famous orators twain directly and indirectly. Chapter 4. 5 draws parallels amongst some points in the address and speeches of Dr Martin Luther poove and Rabbi Joachim Prinz. 3 In the inaugural address, as so und up as in his other speeches, Obama uses pieces of pr for distri exclusivelyively oneing, which overhear al lay been noticed in mass media and academic studies.Chapter 4. 6 draws attention to the use of speech communication from the password, Afro-Ameri force out traditional sermon and the role of originalal al-Qaeda in political rhetoric in the USA. In chapter 5, I will connect the discussed issues on the linguistic devices employed in the speech, which aim to maximize the forcefulnessiveness of the delivery of the message. The banter on this pendent will be dedicateed here. Chapter 6 is the conclusion, where the analyzed aspects of various linguistic discourses will be summarized.I will purpose that their combination makes a meaningful character to the triumph of the speech made in public. 2. Context the historical, cultural and social circumstances The social and historical context forms a signifi apprizet role in to a bring low place entrapationing the messa ge of the speech and analyzing it. The term context is defined as those parts of a text previous and accompanying two particular passage, plentiful it a sum fuller or much diagnosable that if it were read in isolation. The context of all statement may be unders excessivelyd to comp leaven . . . he biographical, social, cultural, and historical circumstances in which it is made (including the intended audience or reader). (The Oxford lexicon of Literary Terms, context) In the following chapter I will describe the social and cultural aspects of the context preceding the performing of the Inaugural Address. 4 2. 1 Social and cultural background In November 2008, Barack Obama became the first Afri fag end the Statesn president in the history of the United States. His electoral victory was considered to be a discovery in the social and political aspects of the American society.He embodied the dream of millions of his fellow citizens to gain true, including Martin Luther King J r. , with whom Obama is frequently comp atomic number 18d and whose principles he maintains. BBC News stated that for many . . . Barack Obamas presidency will be the flood tide of Dr Kings dream (1). The humble solar mean solar day date beforehandhand the inauguration, Obama drew attention to the analogy when he helped to decorate a confederation project in capital of the United States in memory of Dr King and used his creative thinker for a deeper alikeness by maxim that we resolve that as we qualifying, we mustiness walk together.And as we go anterior in the work of re invigorateding the promise of this nation, surrenders have in mind Kings lesson that out separate dreams argon real one. (BBC News, 1) It is remarkable that, besides the position that Obama is biracial, religion is express not to suck played any particular role in his childhood, since his bugger off had no particular influence on him and his mother was an agnostical humanist, while the grand p atomic number 18nts who helped to raise him were not ghostlike (F. I. Greenstein, 209). The President re prefaces a large number of the Americans in the sense of his social and social background.Being apparition skinned, he was brought up by his white maternal grandp bents isolated from a a couple of(prenominal) days when he lived and attended primary school in Inthroughsia. Obama later wrote that, during his youth he experienced a variety of cultures in a climate of vernacular respect (capital of Hawaii Star-Bul permitin, 2007). here(predicate) could be mentioned the role of his wife, Michelle, a factual vocalism of the African American race in the electoral campaign, still nevertheless discussion of this is beyond the remit of this essay. 5 2. 2.Historical / political context The presidency of an African American person would probably not beat been possible a a couple of(prenominal) decades ago many populate claimed that they would never capture dreamed that th ey would see a dark skinned man seemly a president of the United States. Obama realizes this, having said that he is a son of a man who less than sixty years ago index not hasten been served at a local eating house (Obama, 5). A unseasoned coevals has enceinte up since Martin Luther King Jr. gathitherd millions of bulk for peaceful marching to uppercase in order to campaign for the akin rights for all races.The political situation is besides an definitive aspect of Obamas victory. The antecedent presidents administration knotted the country in a dumb war with Iraq, an unpopular war from which the country seems unable to extricate itself. Along with a military mission in Afghanistan, it has apostrophize an enormous amount of money to the valuate payers. On top of that, the deep ceding back in the deliverance, which started at the judgment of conviction of the election debates and which is said to be the worst one since the Great Depression, in a general under stan d up, damaged the popularity of the Republicans.A new, fresh face of a relatively materialisation candidate appe ard on the political stage at this heartbeat, who promised ameliorate instead of fighting. Not only did he promise changes, scarcely he as well spoke a language of young people, which associates with major advocator, opportunity and making new of import decisions (Capone, 2972). The candidate, Barack Obama, made a meteoric rise to depicted object pro tapnce (Greenstein, 206). 3. Methodology This essays research is qualitative and the speech will be analyzed by employing a number of theoretical approaches in the disciplines of semantics, pragmatics and rhetorical criticism.The use of various linguistic devices employed in the speech, which grant to the aim of any 6 speech and, particularly, a public one held by a politician, will be examined. Thus, the aim is to analyze the complexity of the devices in the context and the intertextuality, which means that all te xts are . . . serene of other (pre-existing) texts . . . held together in a state of constant inter live up to . . . hence all text exist in a state of partiality and inter-dependency with other texts (A Dictionary of Critical Theory, intertextuality).The format of C-essay does not present the opportunity to examine the whole speech from all possible approaches, hence, I will first analyze some excerpts from it in a framework of singular notions link to the theoretical basis of the above mentioned fields and then I will draw parallels between the notions. Roderick P. harts conceptions on modern rhetorical criticism and Jacob L. Meys on pragmatics issues will be widely considered while comp allowing the work on this paper. I will also disturb to a study on Barack Obamas South Carolina speech by A. Capone.The localized text of President-elect Barack Obamas Inaugural Address, as provided by the Presidential Inaugural Committee, is in the Appendix and referred to according to its n umbered pages. 4. rhetorical and Linguistic Strategies In his performance, Obama employs a complex of rhetorical and linguistic strategies, which allow the speaker to introduce and deliver the message in golden context. Analyzing rhetoric, hart says that human history has been create verbally by great persons authoring great orations for social betterment. Often, these great statements squander seemed more(prenominal) poetic than pragmatic, as satisfying to the heart as to the head(4).In order to distinguish a poem from a narrative story or any other example of message, I will try to utmost spot rhythm by employing a number of linguistic devices including metre and parallelism. Simpson defines metre as an organized variant of strong and low-cal syllables and 7 its repetition into a lawful phrasing across a line of compose (15). Stanza is a product of correspondence of and the length, metrical scheme and rhythmical pattern of the measure lines with those of at least one other much(prenominal) pigeonholing of verse lines in a poem (The aphoristic Oxford Companion to English Literature, stanza).An extensive use of pronouns we, our and us in combination with a particular lexical register aims to foreground the desired force play of unity and communication the speaker and the audience. 4. 1. The use of personal deixis deictic script expressions, jazzn as deixis, can be taken only in the context in which they are used. The word deictic derives from the Greek language and is used for pointing a subject. I will focus on the use of deixis employed in the speech which, I will argue, creates an effect of unity on one side and outsiders on the other.In his analysis of Obamas electoral speech, Capone foretells that a speaker is responsible for the positions or opinions advanced, but select not necessarily be the animator or flat the author (2967). He refers to Goffman for definitions of a principal in the legalistic sense, which involves imposing s elf-identification as we not I. (2967). By doing so, the speaker be stick withs a exemplar of the people (2967). This pattern of seemingly oral presentation on behalf of the audience is focused upon in the present chapter.The use of person deixis in the speech, in these circumstances, is worth investigating. Unlike his previous public performances, where Obama aimed to bring over the audience that he was the right candidate for the position of a congressman or, later, a president, here he is a victor and addressing his message from a position of Head of State. He, probably, does not need to put his personality in focus any longitudinal, but instead inescapably the support for his upcoming challenges. In this brass the pronoun I, which was used generously in Obamas previous 8 peeches, emerges only ternary times in his inaugural address in its arising I stand here today . . . I give thanks President Bush . . . at once I say to you . . . (Obama 1). The first person pronoun I does not appear any more in the performance. Obama favors the third person plural form pronouns we, us and our(s) in the rest of the speech the pronouns which play their significant role in creating a sense of unity of the speaker with the audience. We, us and our(s) are employed 61, 20 and 65 times respectively and are, probably, the nigh often used lyric of the speech.The speaker does not distance himself from the American people instead, boththing the president proclaims advertise seems to be issued by us the people of America. con sift to Capone, a political speech is in itself an description of the audiences feelings and necessitate that allow the audience to retrace its own intentionality while a politician reflexes them (2969) . The above mentioned pronouncements are employed as the inclusive ones finishedout the text.The speaker, in this case, is a member of the society to which he speaks. Whether he speaks of the previous strivements or the future plans, the or ator claims them to be a frequentality, which means that he shares righteousness for anything universe said with the audience. As a result, the audience seems to become a co-author of the speech, providing that they okay of it, and they do so by ordinary applause. Thus, the president speaks on behalf of the American people On this day we gather . . . we come to proclaim . . . The addresser has a message to his opponents, and the pronouns they, their, those and some are served as if to indicate a distance between the American people, of whose behalf Obama speaks , and those who head word the home of our the Americans ambitions (Obama 3) . The victory in the election, presumably, allows the new president to associate himself with the studyity of the nation and to look down at the cynics who fail to understand is that the ground has shifted below them (Obama 3).By bidfully chosen pronouns, the speaker foregrounds the Americans, whose ideas he articulates and backgrounds the rest, who let 9 forgotten what this country has already done (Obama 3). Having recurrent by then we and our dozens of times and created a panoramic picture of the nations achievements, the present state and the future challenges, Obama has little bother opposing and disparaging those who pick out leisure time over work, or hear only the pleasures of riches and fame ( Obama 2). 4. 2. Rhythm Among the complex of the devices that Obama operates in the speech, I will argue in the following sub-chapter, the rhythm plays a significant role. Rhythm ease ups to delivering the message in a most effective and agreeable musical mode. antique Greeks used didactic poetry, not as a literary genre but, quite a, to give instructions applying to it as being more easily remembered than prose (The elliptic Oxford Companion to Graeco-Roman Literature, didactic poetry). Moreover, poetry brings schmaltzy feelings which either thrusts disturbing thinkings or stresses them, depending on the context of the text.Words often spend a penny twice kernel and can be interpret differently. In poetry one can play with row employing their phonetic features, metaphors and sonic effect. In the following excerpt from the speech, the first line in the first quadruple stanzas (the fourth one, however, has a juncture and, which uncomplete disturbs the rhythm nor change the meaning) starts with the analogous idiom we will followed by a verb musical contrive. The other three lines follow the main idea expressed in the first one. They are similar both rhythmically and metrically.The brave out stanza is different in the structure and introverted, since the horizon veers from the main theme and then returns thitherto (Catholic Encyclopedia (1913), Parallelism, 2/4). kinda of starting, it finishes with the very(prenominal) structure we will followed by a verb set phrase. In the speech, a footmark of a poem emerges from time to time, both in terms of rhythm and melodio us contexts of the word related to nature (as the amorous poets would do) for describing 10 practical, moreover, technological purposes.I will try to rearrange an extract into stanzas, where each one (except the bideder one) incorporates of four lines and is, therefore, called quatrain (The Concise Oxford, stanza). The blend in stanza brings a conclusion and the move verse in the stanza sounds as if it were a locomote chord in a order of music We will build the roadstead and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that eat our employment and bind us together. We will mend science to its rightful place, and supervise engineerings wonders to raise health accusations quality and lower its cost.We will harness the sunbathe and the winds and the crap to sack our cars and run our factories. And we will change our schools, and colleges and universities to hit the requests of a new age. 11 completely this we can do. And all this we will do. (Obama 2) The sun and w inds are invoked to symbolise mans need for the nothing necessary to case the economy. Obama does not speak a prohibitionist language of economists he prefers the language of poets. Hart compares an orator a persuader with a poet being artistically creative.Both work with symbols to give out life into ideas and use their imaginations to engage their audiences imaginations (10). The meaning of each sentence rests beyond the unadulterated words it is metaphorical. Analysing arguments, Hart refers to Toulmins work, applying to the term major claims as a) the broadest, most cover, statements made by the speaker, b) guile at the train of abstraction higher than all other statements the speaker makes, c) represent what the speaker hopes will become the residual message in listeners minds (i. . , the main conceptions remembered when the details of the message bind been forgotten), and d) are frequently repeated or restated in the message (Hart 98). In the extract above, every sentence contains a major claim, according to its definition. The message does not consist of specific words having definitive meaning of the work be after they are, rather, the broadest, most encompassing. What seems to strengthen the message is its rhythmical construction and repetition.Unlike the prosaic parts of the speech, where the listener does not need to employ their imagination, the poetical ones dominate it in order to fill the violate in the meanings between the sun and the winds, which should provoke our cars, or work out the way to wield technologys wonders (Obama 2). The structures of these stanzas follow the rules of synthetic parallelism, where the theme is worked up by the building of thought upon similar thought (Catholic Encyclopedia (1913), Parallelism, 2/4).These linguistic tools contribute to the speakers foreground processing of the idea of forthcoming changes by reiterate the same or similar syntactic structures along with the 12 same phrase we will. L exically, the stanzas also correspond. The theme of building and reconstruction the countrys economy progresses throughout the block with a utmost chord where Obama seems to have changed his pre-presidential slogan yes, we can to yes, we will. 4. 3.Parallelism and foregrounding Parallelism is a product of balanced arrangement achieved through repetition of the same syntactic form (The Oxford Dictionary of Literary Terms, parallelism). Analyzing the text, one can find both syntactic and lexical parallels. Lexical parallelism is an effect of repetition of the same words or certain relationships between words, mostly belong to the same word group, such as verbs or nouns. Giving examples of parallelism, scholars often refer to poetry and rhetoric.It seems that what they have in common is their appeal to the listeners emotions rather than pragmatism. Foregrounding is based on giving unusual prominence to one element or property of the text (The Oxford Dictionary of Literary Terms, foreg rounding). The devices such as repetition and giving a booming syntactic position are ordinarily employed for creating a foreground effect. The background is, hence, a weaker and significantly less important component in the text is used as a tool for stressing foregrounding.I would like to stir that the following piece of speech consists of lexical parallels. To start with, the nouns strength and weakness are antonyms by lay them in the same line the speaker creates the effect of parallelism based on contradiction. He continuously contrasts and contradicts the rights and wrongs in the text until purity eventually prevails over evil. For we crawl in that our patchwork heritage is strength, not a weakness. 13 We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus and non- recallrs.We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth and because we have tasted the bitter slop of civil war and segregation, and emerged from the dark chapter stron ger and united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass that the lines of commonwealth shall soon adjourn that as the world grows daintyer, our common universe shall reveal itself and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace. (Obama 4) It is interesting that by contradicting and drawing parallels, the speaker achieves the effect of foregrounding.Before pointing out the goal, the speaker explains the reason for it and, hence, prepares the ground for the challenge, which seems achievable afterwards. Lexical and syntactic repetitions strengthen both the background and foreground of the text. speak about the diversity of the country, Obama uses the effect of antithesis making contrasts when mentioning the religious groups. The diversity of religions evolves from being scarce contrastive, which competency in other contexts be interpreted as divisive and, therefore, a knobbed issue, to cohesion and solidarity of the purpose.Thos e elements, which rest on the side of meanness, fade away under the pressure of goodness. The following compounds of phrases seem predictable then hatreds pass . . . nation dissolve . . . world reveal (Obama 4). 14 4. 3. 1Parallelism syntactic and lexical The following extract is an example of both syntactic and lexical parallelism. The sentences begin with and are stressed by a prepositional phrase for us. It is followed by the noun phrase consisting of the pronoun they, which is followed by two verb phrases joined by a conjunction and.The sentences are not alike in the structures. That is to say, although their first verb phrase is intransitive, in the first two sentences, it is post-modified by a noun phrase and a prepositional phrase respectively. In the third sentence, the same prepositional phrase post-modifies the two intransitive verb phrases fought and died. These verbs have related meaning where fighting causes dying. In the sanction sentence, the phrases toiled in sweatshops and plowed the hard earth are quasi-synonymous as they both mean doing hard work.In addition to the parallelism, the repetition and the head word position of the phrase for us produces the effect of foregrounding. The repetition and relationship of the phrases they and for us make the message of the passage more coherent. Everything they did, they did for us. In this case, what forebearers sic did, is not signified only as a list of jobs, but rather as the effort they made for a future times. The language devices serve as a means of the message here. For us, they packed up their few worldly possessions and travelled across oceans in search of a new life.For us, they toiled in sweatshops and colonized the West 15 endured the rap of the whip and plowed the hard earth. For us, they fought and died, in places like confine and Gettysburg Normandy and Khe Sanh. (Obama 2) 4. 3. 2. Parallelism and alliteration The Oxford Dictionary of Literary Terms defines the term alliter ation as the repetition of the same sounds usually initial consonants of words or of stressed syllables in any sequence of neighboring words, remarking that in some poetry alliteration rather than rhythm is the chief principle of repetition (alliteration).The following block of supposed poetry contains both of the devices alliteration and parallelism. The adjectives less and last are not only repeated in the same stanza, but they also start with the same consonant l, consist of a single syllable and have similarity in the meaning. They both related to the tendency to minimize something to an unimportant level. Although the two first stanzas begin with the same pronoun our, they differ in the choice of linguistic tools. The effect of parallelism of the following two stanzas rests upon contradiction.Alliteration is more vaguely expressed in the words starting with consonant p such as pat, protecting, putting and passed in the second stanza, and is absent in the third one. These two stanzas contain verbs and/or verb phrases having opposite meaning they contradict each other and the parallelism is based on contradiction. Every stanza consists of a single, complex sentence, where flashiness is accumulating in the first two lines in stanza 1 and 2 (in the third stanza that is line 1), and accelerating to its climax in the following line 3 and 4 relatively.Calling for action, Obama stresses the last syllables in 16 phrasal verbs verbs of action nibble up and rubble off. The choice of these multi-word verbs manifestly reflects the desire to empha size the need for action up and off associate with nerve impulse and movement. The tension is growing from the first to the last verse with the conclusion coming as a final chord Our minds are no less inventive, our goods and services no less needed than they were last workweek or last month or last year. Our capacity remains undiminished.But our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off u npleasant decisions that time has for sure passed. Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, detritus ourselves off, and begin again the work of produce America. (Obama 2) 4. 4. Rhetoric lexical chain for the planned changes Hart defines the word lexicon as words that are unique to a group or individual and that have specific rhetorical great power . . . by using preferred words a speaker can establish the right 17 to address the audience (156).Considering the fact that rhetoric is a persuasive use of language, Hart is insistent that rhetoric is an art . . . which creates a story out of nothing, using symbols to bring to life feelings we had forgotten we had, plans we had not hitherto considered (7). He continues the story rhetoric tells is invariably a story with a purpose it is never told for its own sake (7). In the following chapter, I will draw attention to some rhetorical techniques which contribute to the delivery of the message.More precisely, they are two of quintu ple basic moves as Hart define them (2) the speaker must come to be regarded as a helper rather than an exploiter (3) the speaker must convince the listener that new choices need to be made (7). In his address, Obama proclaims that the time of standing pat . . . has sure as shooting passed and the nation is to begin again the work on redo America (2). In order to indicate forthcoming changes in various areas and to stress the novelties planned, he parallels them with a new contemporaries and a new age.He makes a specific lexical chain the choice of vocabulary in order to indicate the expected changes in the society whose aim is to create the atmosphere of unity and agreement similar to the ideal American family. The theme of unity goes throughout the speech, and that is done by a attendingfully catchd lexical chain as well as repetition. The feeling of unity is constructed in the very beginning in the greeting My fellow citizens, where the president identifies himself as one belonging to the society, corrasion away the invisible border between the stage and the crowd.The following step is to institution the image of the nation as a family, where the ideals and traditions are transmitted from generation to generation- the word which is used quite extensively in the address. Obama creates a solid ground for a consensus of the main issues with the Americans from the very beginning by claiming that We the People have remained combineful to the ideas of our forebearers sic, and true to our bringing documents (1). This idea is developed and reused in such a way that it reappears in the very end of the speech, where Obama cites the 8 words of our (the Americans) father in the year of Americas birth calling for unity and commitment. 4. 5. Citing other orators Obama has numerous times been compared with the calamitous American civil rights leader Martin Luther King, and he himself draws attention to such a comparison. The day before the inauguration BBC Ne ws account that he reflected that Tuesdays inauguration ceremony would take place on the same mall where many thousands gathered in 1963 to hear Martin Luther Kings lesson I have A Dream speech (1).In fact, there was another political leader, who made his speech on the same day rightful(prenominal) before Dr King did the national president of the American Jewish carnal goledge Rabbi Joachim Prinz, whose words Obama cites and whose message he reintroduces. The time . . . has come phrase is excerpted from Dr Prinzs speech. His thought of the time . . . for us to work together, for it is not enough to hope together for it is not enough to pray together is alter and reused in Obamas speech (Prinz, cultured rights). The time has come to reaffirm our imperishable tint is the phrase which not only resembles Dr Prinzs but proclaims a new reaffirming cycle in American history. Obamas elan of addressing the audience is also resembles Prinzs. They both start with a rather statuesque address, changing then to direct address . . . , a feature often found in personal correspondence, such as Prinzs our fathers taught us, our children, yours and mine, we share and Obamas our forebearers, our Founding Fathers, men and women and children of every race and every faith, we remain. 9 4. 6. The elements of preaching According to discourses of cultural criticism, Obamas rhetorical modality may be described as an American one. Hart refers to a number of scholars when stating that one of the most distinctive things about American rhetoric is its curious combination of Transcendental and Pragmatic themes where he continues the transcendent strain in discourse gives it an elevating tone, the sort of tone one hears on inauguration day in the United States(240). On this day, the president efficacy feel disposed(p) to mention the words of Scripture.He avoids favouring one single religion by referring to sacred scripture rather than the rule countersign, which relates to any religion in the world and, although he cites Bible, the determine he mentions are universal the time has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit to accept our better history to carry forward that precious gift, that the noble idea, passed from generation to generation the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all be a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness. Obama 2) In that block, one can feel the growing tension, which comes as a climax in poetry and end in a traditional, Afro-American sermon. It has elements of Gospel, where rhythm changes its pattern while the main idea is repeated. Obamas tendency of public performance has been compared with preaching, particularly that which belongs to the tradition of AfroAmerican preaching discourse. Capone notices that among the characteristics which parallel Obamas speech style with Afro-American religious traditions is rhythmic structure, predisposition and ele vation (2970). 0 Hart argues that the Americans are a nation that seems to need a Holy Purpose for doing almost anything (240). Speaking on politics and business, Obama strengthens his states by referring to the Bible again hatreds shall someday pass . . . the lines of kin group shall soon dissolve . . . our common humanity shall reveal itself (4). Transcendental theme supports the pragmatic thoughts, in other words, two themes cooperate so that the message maximizes its ardor. 5. ConclusionThe analysis of Barack Obamas Inaugural Address suggests that the speech was made by a skilful orator, who employed various linguistic and rhetoric devices for the efficiency of the address. They are tightly linked together and, at times, it is hard to separate one from another as they are often multifunctional. I would like to suggest that the high level of education of the speaker was instrumental when setting various tools in collaboration, so that the use of them produced the effect of a suited message, the one which the audience accepted as if it had come from it self.Learning from Ancient Greeks, President uses didactic poetry persuading, convincing and easy-to-be-remembered rhythmic style when addressing to a wide audience of the Americans. didactic poetry rests upon repetition and parallelism, which are the basic tools for creating an easily memorized message. Parallelism is, in turn, a part of a linguistic field of semantics. Focusing on parallelism employed in the speech, I have found that personal pronouns play a significant role in creating a foregrounding effect, which is an aspect of pragmatics. All these devices positively correlative with a rhetorical style, which the orator chose for the speech.The event took place at a historical mall, where some of the most prominent American orators have spoken to large audiences. In his speech, Obama stresses the strong connections between generations which he, as he states, is to endure, and employs other orator s words in order to support the statement. 21 In an judge to cover the most important values of the American people, Obama appeals to those which rest upon family and religion. He cites the Bible but quite carefully and, having pointed out the diversity of religions represented in the country, applies his words to universal, transcendental truth.He also creates an emotional atmosphere of a nation as a family, which suggests unity and support, the desire for a better future and a readiness for working hard on it for the close generations sake. The lexical register along with the foregrounding help to effect the chore in a sociable view. The newly elected president needs his peoples support for the forthcoming reforms, which he has planned to carry out. The unity of the Americans, in order to receive their advanced approval, seems to be the aim of the Presidents address to the nation. His speech is persuasive, but only aggressive.By using linguistic techniques, which have been e mployed by a number of the nations Fathers and which have proved to be successful and appreciated both by the audience present and forthcoming generations, Obama announces his address to his people in a favorable way. That is to say, the extensive use of pronouns we and our in combinations with the lexical chain discussed above, affects the speech in such a way that the audience, to some extent, qualification almost be considered to be participants in it and the President performs as a representative of the people.The various linguistic and rhetorical devices suggest that the orator articulates the ideas of the audience and that as a president, he represents the interests of his people. 22 Works Cited . A Dictionary of Critical Theory by Ian Buchanan. Oxford University Press, 2010. Oxford deferred payment Online. Oxford University Press. Hogskolan I Halmstad. Web. 30 Mar. 2011 Akmajian, Adrian, et al. philology An Introduction to Language and Communication. 5th ed. The USA Massach usetts Institute of Technology, 2001. Print. Bazzanella, Carla. Redundancy, repetition, and intensity in discourse. Language Sciences 33 (2011) 243-254.Web. 03 Feb. 2011. BBC News, Obama honours Martin Luther King, BBC. BBC News, 20 Jan 2009 Web. 29 Mar 2011. Capone, Alessandro. Barack Obamas South Carolina Speech Journal of Pragmatics. 42 (2010) 2964-2977. Web. Greenstein, Fred I. The Presidential Difference. 3rd ed. Princeton and Oxford Princeton University Press, 2009. Print. Hart, P. Roderick. Modern Rhetorical Criticism. Upper Saddle River Allyn&Bacon A Pearson tuition Company, 1997. Print. Lash, Scott. Another Modernity. 1998. Oxford Blackwell Publishers Ltd, 1999. Print. Leanne, Shel. Say It Like Obama The tycoon of Speaking with Purpose and Vision.USA RR Donnelley, 2009. Print. Mey, Jacob L. Pragmatics An Introduction. 1993. Oxford Blackwell Publishers Ltd, 2002. Print. Obama, Barack. Bararack Obamas Inaugural Address. The Inaugural Address, Washington, The Capitol, 20 Ja n. The Washington Post. The Washington Post, 20 Jan. 2009. Web. 10 whitethorn 2011. Oxford Dictionary of English, Ed. Angus Stevenson. Oxford University Press, 2007. Oxford Reference Online. Oxford University Press. Hogskolan I Halmstad. Web. 17 Feb. 2011 23 Prinz, Joachim. I speak to you as an American Jew, Web. 4 Apr 2011. http//joachimprinz. com/civilrights. htm/. Punahou leave lasting impression on Obama. The Associated Press. Honolulu Star-Bulletin. 2007. Web. 11 Apr 2011. http//archive. starbulletin. com. Simpson, Paul. Stylistics A re inception book for students. London and New York Routledge, 2002. Print. Tenbrink, Thora. Reference frames of lay and time in language. Journal of Pragmatics. 43. 3 (2011) 704-722. Web. 18 Mar. 2011. . The Concise Oxford Companion to unsullied Literature. Ed. M. C. Howatson and Ian Chilvers. Oxford University Press, 1996. Oxford Reference Online. Oxford University Press. Hogskolan I Halmstad. Web. 18 Feb. 2011 .The Concise Oxford Companion to Englishl Literature. Ed. Margaret Drabble and Jenny Stringer. Oxford University Press, 2007. Oxford Reference Online. Oxford University Press. Hogskolan I Halmstad. Web. 17 Feb. 2011 . The Oxford Dictionary of Literary Terms. Chris Baldick. Oxford University Press, 2008. Oxford Reference Online. Oxford University Press. Hogskolan I Halmstad. Web. 22Feb. 2011. 24 Appendix Obamas Inaugural Address Remarks as Prepared for tar January 20, 2009 My fellow citizens I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors.I thank President Bush for his service to our nation, as well as the generosity and cooperation he has shown throughout this transition. Forty-four Americans have straightway taken the presidential cursing. The words have been spoken during rising tides of prosperity and the s work on irrigate of peace. Yet, every so often the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms . At these moments, America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but because We the People have remained faithful to the ideals of our forbearers, and true to our founding documents. So it has been.So it must be with this generation of Americans. That we are in the midst of crisis is straight off well dumb. Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching communicate of violence and hatred. Our economy is unskilledly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our embodied failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age. Homes have been lost jobs shed businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly our schools fail too many and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet.These are the indicators of crisis, subject to data and statistics. Less measurable but no less profound is a sapping of confidence across our land a nagging fear that Americas decline is inevitable, and that the adjoining generation must lower its sights. Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short get over of time. But know this, America they will be met. On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord. 1On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and foolish promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics. We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit to choose our better history to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happines s.In reaffirming the richness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our locomote has never been one of short-cuts or settling for less. It has not been the path for the faint-hearted for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame. Rather, it has been the risktakers, the doers, the makers of things some storied but more often men and women obscure in their labor, who have carried us up the long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom.For us, they packed up their few worldly possessions and traveled across oceans in search of a new life. For us, they toiled in sweatshops and settled the West endured the lash of the whip and plowed the hard earth. For us, they fought and died, in places like Concord and Gettysburg Normandy and Khe Sahn. Time and again these men and women struggled and sacrificed and worked till their hands were raw so that we might live a better life. They saw America as bigger t han the sum of our individual ambitions greater than all the differences of birth or wealth or faction.This is the journey we continue today. We remain the most prosperous, mesomorphic nation on Earth. Our workers are no less productive than when this crisis began. Our minds are no less inventive, our goods and services no less needed than they were last week or last month or last year. Our capacity remains undiminished. But our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions that time has surely passed. Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of produce America. For everywhere we look, there is work to be done.The state of the economy calls for action, bold and swift, and we will act not only to create new jobs, but to lay a new foundation for growth. We will build the roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that feed our commerce and bind us together. We will restore scien ce to its rightful place, and wield technologys wonders to raise health cares quality and lower its cost. We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories. And we will transform our schools and colleges and universities to get word the demands of a new age.All this we can do. And all this we will do. 2 Now, there are some who question the scale of our ambitions who suggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans. Their memories are short. For they have forgotten what this country has already done what free men and women can achieve when imagination is joined to common purpose, and compulsion to courage. What the cynics fail to understand is that the ground has shifted beneath them that the stale political arguments that have choosed us for so long no longer apply.The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified. Where the answer is yes, we intend to move forward. Where the answer is no, programs will end. And those of us who manage the publics dollars will be held to account to spend wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the feeble of day because only then can we restore the vital trust between a people and their government. Nor is the question before us whether the market place is a force for good or ill.Its power to generate wealth and expand freedom is unmatched, but this crisis has reminded us that without a watchful eye, the market can spin out of picture and that a nation cannot prosper long when it favors only the prosperous. The success of our economy has constantly depended not just on the size of our Gross Domestic Product, but on the reach of our prosperity on our ability to dilute opportunity to every ordain heart not out of charity, but because it is the surest route to our common good. As for our common defense , we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals.Our Founding Fathers, approach with perils we can scarcely imagine, drafted a take up to assure the rule of law and the rights of man, a charter expanded by the credit line of generations. Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expediences sake. And so to all other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman, and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and that we are ready to lead once more.Recall that earlier generations go about down fascism and communism not just with missiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions. They understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please. Instead, they knew that our power grows through its prudent use our tribute emanates from the jus tness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humbleness and restraint. We are the keepers of this legacy. Guided by these principles once more, we can meet those new threats that demand even greater effort even greater cooperation and understanding between nations.We will begin to responsibly leave Iraq to its people, and forge a hard-earned peace in Afghanistan. With old friends and former foes, we will work tirelessly to lessen the nuclear threat, and roll back the specter of a warming planet. We will not apologize for our way of life, nor will we waver in its defense, and for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be low-down you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you. 3 For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness.We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus and non-believers. We are shaped by every langu age and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace.To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect. To those leaders some the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their societys ills on the West know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history but that we will extend a hand if you are automatic to unclench your fist.To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow to treasure starved bodies and feed hungry minds. And to those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford flatness to suffering outside our borders nor can we consume the worlds resources without regard to effect. For the world has changed, and we must change with it. As we consider the road that unfolds before us, we remember with humble gratitude those brave Americans who, at this very hour, patrol far-off forsake and distant mountains.They have something to tell us today, just as the fallen heroes who lie in Arlington whisper through the ages. We honor them not only because they are guardians of our liberty, but because they embody the spirit of service a willingness to find meaning in something greater than themselves. And yet, at this moment a moment that will define a generation it is precisely this spirit that must inhabit us all. For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimatel y the faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation relies.It is the kindness to take in a stranger when the levees break, the altruism of workers who would rather cut their hours than see a friend lose their job which sees us through our darkest hours. It is the firefighters courage to storm a stairway filled with smoke, but also a parents willingness to nurture a child, that at last decides our fate. Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends hard work and honesty, courage and honest play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism these things are old.These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is demanded then is a return to these truths. What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather accept gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task.This is the price and the promise of citizenship. This is the source of our confidence the knowledge that God calls on us to shape an uncertain destiny. 4 This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed why men and women and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration across this magnificent mall, and why a man whose father less than sixty years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath. So let us mark this day with remembrance, of who we are and how far we have traveled.In the year of Americas birth, in the coldest of months, a small band of patriots constellate by dying campfires on the shores of an icy river. The capital was abandoned. The enemy was advancing. The snow was stain with blood. At a mom ent when the ending of our revolution was most in doubt, the father of our nation ordered these words be read to the people Let it be told to the future world that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and equity could survive that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet it. America. In the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our childrens children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter and with eyes fixed on the horizon and Gods grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations. 5