A Functional Interpretation Of English Public Political Speeches

Halliday's Systemic-Functional Grammar has been proven to be a scientific and practical theory. English Public Political Speeches (EPPS), as a complex form of human activity and a social phenomenon, deserve our study. The purpose of this thesis is to employ Halliday's linguistic theory to explore the lexicogrammatical features of EPPS. For this purpose, a database is established, which is composed of 50 English public political speeches by different speakers. This thesis is composed of an introduction, three chapters and a conclusion.IntroductionPublic speaking is viewed as a way of communication. In this communication process, language plays an important role. Public speeches can be classified into different types. In the field of politics, language is indispensable. Politics cannot be conducted without language. Political speeches are an important form of political activity. There have been many linguistic approaches to the study of EPPS. Halliday's theory shows its advantages compared with others. And we'll use this linguistic approach to analyse EPPS.Chapter OneThis chapter mainly illustrates the functional tradition of EPPS by surveying its historical development which includes the classical period, the transition to modem times, then the modem period, and finally World War I and afterwards. Political speeches can be traced back to the ancient Greece, which was frequently used by the lawyers and politicians. With the passage of time, it has become more and more important in people's social and political life and it deserves our study from all aspects.Chapter TwoThis chapter expounds on Halliday's theory of Systemic-Functional Grammar, which is the theoretical basis of the thesis. His theoretical framework is composed of two parts: systemic grammar, which is represented as networks of choices, and functional grammar, which is the structural portion that shows how the options are realized. Major theoretical concepts of his theory are also introduced. The elaboration of it can be divided into eight sections: (a) context of situation, (b) functions of language, (c) levels of language and realization, (d) register and its relation to meta-function, (e) text and its relation to register.IChapter ThreeThis chapter introduces the register of EPPS in terms of field, tenor, and mode. Lexicogrammatical features of this variety are explored in every detail - in ideational meaning, interpersonal meaning, and textual meaning of the semantic system which are determined by its register. In order to be more objective, the analysis is established on the database of 50 political speeches.ConclusionThe purpose of the thesis is to use IIalliday's linguistic theory to analyse EPPS. The analysis shows the advantages of his theory, its being scientific and practical and helps us gain a deeper insight into his theory. The generalization of the lexicogrammatical features of EPPS is beneficial to our learning of English. It also makes us more proficient at public speaking that is a worthy skill for us to learn and practise.