A Critical Discourse Analysis of President Obama First Inaugural Speech 2008

A critical discourse analysis of President Obama First Inaugural Speech 2008

A. Introduction
Language plays a prominent role in putting politic ideas into practice. At times, a struggle for power takes place by using language to carry out political actions. This paper is a critical discourse analysis one, analyzing a political discouse by President Barack Obama: the first inaugural address which conveys policies of the newly inaugurated president with effective persuasive strategies of President Barack Obama and their ideological assumptions.
B. Theoretical background
1. Discourse
There have been various statements of discourse presented by linguists. In the 1989, it is claimed by Fairclough the term discourse can be used to “ refer to the whole process of social interaction of which a text is just a part” (Fairclough 1989: 24). According to Titscher, discourse “integrates a whole palette of meanings” (Titscher et.al. 1998: 42), ranging from linguistics, through sociology, philosophy and other disciplines.
Richard& Platt considered discourse to be a general term for examples of language use and the result of an act of communication. ( Richards & Platt, 1997). In Gee’s view, discourse is language plus “ other stuff” which are values, belief, symblols, objects and places, etc.
These linguists refer discourse to language in use and a process which is socially situated.
2. Critical Discourse Analysis
The main assumption of CDA that makes the differences between this and other approaches to text analysis is that it emphasizes not only the propositional meaning of a text but also its ideological assumptions
Fairclough (1993: 135) regards CDA as “discourse analysis which aims to systematically explore often opaque relationships of causality and determination between (a) discursive practice, events and texts, and (b) wider social and cultural structures, relations and processes; to investigate how such practices, events and texts arise out of and are ideologically shaped by relations of power and struggles over power; and to explore how the opacity of these relationships between discourse and society is itself a factor securing power and hegemony”. He also supposes ”language as social practice“ (Fairclough/ Wodak 1997).
CDA goals are to illuminate the specific mechanisms through which dominance/subordination- elements which structure society as a whole- are produced in daily life ( Rathzel, in Wodak 1997: 57)
CDA studies the formal properties of the text, the connections among textual structures and takes the relationship between text and interaction as well as the relationship between interaction and social context into account. A close analysis of context should be included in the text interpretation as Huckin says “the immediate environment in which a text is produced and interpreted but also the larger societal context including its relevant cultural, political, social and other facets.” (Huckin:1997,79).
Theoretically and descriptively we need to explore which structures and strategies of the first inaugural speech of President Barack Obama in order to discover patterns of propositional meanings and ideological assumptions in texts. Therefore, it seems to be inevitable that the writer, by choosing specific linguistic structures, tend to persuade readers in order to make them accept and believe in the messages implied in the text. Critical discourse analysis aims at readers detecting this manipulation.
C. Development
1. Description
Stage that is concerned with the formal properties of the text ( vocab, grammar, textual structure, experiental value, relational value, expressive value, connective value)
Critical Discourse Analysis aims at revealing how texts are constructed so that particular messages can be expressed clearly and delicately 1.1. Outline
The outline of the inaugural speech can be internally divided into the following six parts:
1. Thanking (paragraphs 1-2)
2. Acknowledging economic crisis at present (paragraphs 3-7)
3. Revising happened crisis (paragraphs 8-16)
4. Addressing cynics (paragraphs 17-19)
5. Addressing the World (paragraphs 20-25)
6. The solutions (paragraph 26-39)
7. Ending ( paragraph 40) In part one, Obama expresses his gratefulness to his fellow citizens for their trust as well as thanks President Bush for his service in his term. In part two and three, he acknowledges the crisis that is happening and has happened, the challenges they have to face, affirms the greatness of their nation, stresses what they have to do for the bright future of America.
In part four, he attempts to persuade those who are sceptical of his plans.
In part five, he addresses the world with the values of America
In part six, he states the solutions that implies in people and the present problems
1.2. Words and Phrases
1.2.1.Transitive and Intransitive Verbs
“We remain” , “We gather”, “Reaffirm”
1.2.2. Adverbs and Adjectives The proper use of adverbs can separate your speech or writing from others'. Adverbs make you sound like the speech worth listening to.
“barely”, “much”, “even more”, “truly”, “truly infantile things”, “enduring spirits, “God-given promise”, “unsustainable preferences”, “the most prosperous, powerful nation”
1.2.3. Frequently used words and phrases
The speech consists of 1996 words. The pronoun “we” and “ our” is the absolute champion of this count, which can be attributed to an inclusiveness of the speech.
1.3. Structures
1.3.1. Parallel
Parallet structures ccupies the most prominent occurencies
• “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” (paragraph 6)
• “…..promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness” (paragraph 6)
• “it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things” (paragraph 9)
• “ 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.” (paragraph 10)
• “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.”(paragraph 11)
• “we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking blaming”(paragraph 12)
• “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 necessity to courage” (paragraph 17)
1.3.2. Compare and Contrast
• “rising tides of prosperity and the still waters of peace” versus “gathering clouds and raging storms” (paragraph 3)
• “know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy.” (paragraph 25)
• “we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist” (paragraph 25)
• “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.” (paragraph 32)
1.3.3. Active voice and Passive voice
• “we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned”
• “to be done”
1.3.4. Others
• “Let me”, “let’s”, “We must”, “it must”, “Let me assure you”
• “we will act not only to create new jobs a half-hearted stimulus but to lay a new foundation for growth” (paragraph 14)
2. Interpretation
The speech begins with the opening lines concerning “my fellow citizens”, which makes Obama’s form of address more inclusive. In the last part of the speech, when President states the solutions to the change for the brightness of the nation, he addresses all the people from all ethnics, religions with every ideas. The way the President includes multitudes of nationalities and ethnicities expresses a more citizen-centered approach.
"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."
The President’s religious references is reflected in “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 happiness.”. With this, the President has tried hard to convince people that his responsibility is to represent all Americans . The use of words such as ‘scripture’, ‘god’, holds an emotional appeal to those whose trust and confidence the new President is trying to win over.
In part 20, Obama concentrates on the economy and explains his philosophical viewpoint to the ways of distribution of national wealth. At this point, Obama negatively outlines his economic theory and ideology. “The success of our economy has always depended not just on the size of our gross domestic product, but on the reach of our prosperity; on the ability to extend opportunity to every willing heart -- not out of charity, but because it is the surest route to our common good."
In calling for responsibility, he said "what is required of us now is a new era of responsibility rebalancing and leading from behind —a recognition, on the part of every American" . Obama quoted the lyrics of the Jerome Kern and Dorothy Fields song "Pick Yourself Up" and said that "starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America." Through out the text, Obama is consistent with the overall message of hope.
“All this we can do. All this we will do”( paragraph 16)
“ We are…”“We will” “ We will not….” ( occur frequently in the text)
The effectiveness of the speech is also enhanced by successfully applying repetitions of words and phrases on a few occasions. The frequent occurencies of words and phrases not only makes the sentences clear and forceful but also indicate an air of emphatic assumptions.
In sum, the powerful ideas and attitudes of President Barack Obama are strategically and persuasively expressed in the speech by the application of words and phrases, the use of addressing to people, the personal references and viewpoint, and the willingness to change for a brighter future of his nation.
3. Explanation
Political discourse somehow influence the minds of readers and hearers by conveying knowledge, affecting opinions and changing attitudes. Coming at a time when the nation was encountering the worst economic crisis, the speech contained the necessary reassurance and the promise of change that were so desperately needed. It was delivered at the right time with easily understandable language and message.
The speech seems to focus on the progress and prosperity in the years ahead rather than the present state of crisis. Thus, the solutions to bringing the nation to future occupies the longest part of the speech. In addition, the central theme of the inaugural speech is the call for responsibility to and participation in the process of change.

C. Conclusion
In conclusion, this paper analyzes the ideological component implied in the inaugural address of President Barack Obama. This analysis have shown that the key ideological components of Obama’s speech can be summarized into the following concepts: inclusiveness, acceptance of ethnic diversity, unity and religion, liberalism, and patriotism .It is undeniable that the speech is a perfect start in President Barack Obama’s political career.