Advanced English learners have a strong interest in English public speech, particularly inaugural speeches. They view them as exceptional literary works and valuable resources for analysis. The aim of this essay is to analyze Barack Obama’s inaugural speech from a stylistic standpoint to improve comprehension of his presentation abilities. Important elements that will be examined include stylistics, syntax, lexics, and rhetoric. In November 2008, Barack Hussein Obama assumed the role of the forty-fourth president of the United States. Although his inaugural speech was not filled with intricate language, it resonated with the audience and provided a comprehensive overview of the current state of the world.
The speech given by Obama gained support and trust from many people due to its strong impact and the way it emotionally inspired Americans, making them feel confident. In this analysis, we will examine Obama’s inaugural speech at the lexical, syntactic, and rhetorical levels to uncover its unique style characteristics.
1. At the lexical level, words play a fundamental role as they form the basic units of grammar. Different styles call for the use of different words, and the varied nuances in the choice of words also determine their applicable contexts. In this analysis, we will focus on two aspects to examine Obama’s speech.
According to M. A. K. Halliday’s register theory, word structure is impacted by different factors such as discourse mode, discourse tenor, speaker-listener relationship, discourse field, and content itself. The formality of a text can often be indicated by the length of words employed. In English, words containing six or more letters or three or more syllables are commonly known as “big words”. Incorporating a specific number of these big words in an essay can effectively communicate its level of formality.
In Obama’s inaugural speech, the entire text comprises of 2395 words, with 664 of them being big words, accounting for 27.7% of the total. Nevertheless, the occurrence of big words in everyday language is typically below 20%. Therefore, in comparison, the inauguration speeches employ a greater number of formal words and possess a more intricate word structure. This phenomenon can be observed from two angles: Primarily, presidents consistently utilize formal language in their inaugural speeches. This not only conveys stability but also conveys a sense of seriousness in political matters to the audience.
In President Obama’s inaugural speech, he utilized several formal words like “bestow,” “sacrifice,” “service,” “generosity,” “oath,” “prosperity,” “forebear,” and “document.” These words contribute to the overall formality of the speech. Additionally, inaugural speeches often contain numerous derivational words, which further enhance the complexity and formality of the vocabulary used. In Obama’s speech, examples of such words include “cooperation,” “transition,” “recrimination,” “growth,” “imagination,” and “retirement.”
Another common technique employed in public speeches, including Obama’s, is the use of the first person. This allows the speaker to express their perspective and establish a connection with the audience.
Obama’s speech used the first person plural pronoun and its variations 83 times, such as “out of many, we are one” and “while we breathe, we hope.” This use of first person brought the speaker closer to the audience, placing both in the same position. Consequently, the speech was more likely to be accepted and evoke a sense of patriotic solidarity among Americans. For example, Obama stated, “And where we are met with cynicism and doubts and those who tell us that we can’t, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes, we can.” This use of first person pronouns and inclusive language contributed to the unifying effect of the speech. On a syntactical level, sentences are typically seen as an orderly arrangement of words. Considering this analysis, Obama’s inaugural speech had its own distinctive features at the syntactical level. One notable feature is the length of sentences, which depends on the style and type of text.
In Obama’s inaugural speech, there are a total of 107 sentences and 2395 words. Out of these, there are 21 sentences containing 1-9 words, which accounts for 19.6% of the total. There are also 33 sentences with 10-19 words, making up 30.8%. Additionally, there are 28 sentences with 20-29 words, accounting for 26%. Furthermore, there are 13 sentences with 30-39 words, making up 12.1%. Lastly, there are 12 sentences with more than 40 words, accounting for 11.2%. These statistics indicate that Obama prefers to use both short and long sentences in his inaugural speech. Short sentences add vividness and excitement to his speech, while long sentences allow for clearer expression of ideas. As a result, Obama’s alternating use of short and long sentences prevents his inaugural speech from sounding monotonous or convoluted.
In Obama’s inaugural speech, declarative sentences dominate, but there is also usage of imperative and interrogative sentences. In order to make requests or call for action, imperative sentences are employed. They are direct and impactful. An example of an imperative sentence from the speech is: “…let us ask ourselves —if our children should live to see the next century; if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made?”
Interrogative sentences always provoke thought and create a connection between the speaker and the audience. The skillful use of such sentences enhanced the impact of Obama’s inaugural speech. In terms of style, it is crucial to enhance the language, and one effective method is through the use of rhetorical devices. When it comes to public speaking, creating strong emotional resonance and agitation is vital. This is especially true for inaugural speeches, where the speaker’s goal is to garner support and trust. Therefore, the use of rhetorical devices becomes essential in achieving the desired outcomes.
In Obama’s inaugural speech, he utilized several rhetorical devices, one of which was parallelism. Parallelism involves organizing different components of a sentence in a comparable manner to establish a distinctive pattern. This technique not only aids in conveying intense emotions and emphasizing particular points but also amplifies the potency of the language. Furthermore, due to its syntactic nature, parallelism enhances both the aesthetic charm and rhythmic quality of the language. Obama extensively employed parallelism throughout his speech, as demonstrated by his statement: “This is the price and the promise of citizenship.”
This is the source of our confidence… This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed… 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. At these moments, America has continued its journey not solely due to the expertise or foresight of those in positions of power, but because we the People have remained loyal to the principles established by our predecessors and faithful to our original written agreements. For us, they gathered their limited belongings and voyaged across oceans in pursuit of a fresh start.
They toiled in sweatshops and settled the West, enduring the lash of the whip and plowing the hard earth. They fought and died in places like Concord and Gettysburg, Normandy and Khe Sahn. From these examples, it is evident that parallelism can improve the coherence of language and effectively emphasize the speaker’s point. B. Climax refers to arranging sentence clauses based on a principle such as ascending order to create forcefulness. This technique highlights the foregrounding of public speech.
According to climax, using suitable words to create a progression in meaning is important for achieving a stronger impact. President Obama demonstrates this by employing climax in his inaugural speech. For example, he states, “The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift.” Additionally, he highlights the ongoing relevance of our innovative thinking and the continued demand for our goods and services. Moreover, he emphasizes our responsibilities to ourselves, our nation, and the world.
Repetition is the intentional use of the same words or sentences in one language segment. It can create a strong emotional impact and leave a lasting impression on the audience. Examples of repetition include:
(1) “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 span of time. But know this, America: They will be met.”
(2) “…the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.”
(3) “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.”
(4) “We will build the roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that feed our commerce and bind us together. We will restore science to its rightful place, and wield technology’s wonders to raise health care’s quality and lower its cost.”
In his inaugural speech, Obama emphasized the utilization of renewable sources such as the sun, wind, and soil for transportation and industry. He also stressed the importance of restructuring educational institutions to accommodate a changing world. These repeated statements establish a rhythmic framework and demonstrate the Administration’s assurance in successfully tackling these challenges on behalf of the American people.
D. Contrast) Contrast is the way to provide a comparison between two opposite concepts or things or between two opposite aspects of one thing. Obama utilized sharp contrasts in his inaugural speech to convey his ideas more vividly and clearly. For example, he stated, “And so to all other people and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born…” He also emphasized that “Know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy.” Additionally, he acknowledged that “For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness.”
In conclusion, Obama’s inaugural speech displays typical characteristics of an inaugural speech, including the use of vivid words, flexible syntax, and skillful rhetoric techniques. These features not only exemplify Obama’s individual style but also address the demands of social reality. By analyzing the stylistic aspects of such speeches, we can better appreciate the inaugural speeches of American presidents and improve our own presentation skills in everyday life.
