An Analysis Of The Means Realizing The Interpersonal Function In Obama's Inaugural Address

Based on Halliday's Systemic-Functional Grammar, together with other scholars, such as Li Zhanzi's theory, this study takes Obama's Inaugural Address as an example to demonstrate by what means the interpersonal function of political speech is realized. It is found that mood, modal operators, personal pronouns and evaluation words are the major devices Obama uses to achieve interpersonal function.In recent years, there is a trend in linguistic study to pay more attention to interpersonal function. For instance, Sultan studies the doctor's diagnosis report; Li Zhanzi explores the realization of interpersonal function of biographies while other scholars contribute to the realization of interpersonal function in academic discourse, advertisement discourse and so on. Few scholars have studied the realization of interpersonal function in political discourse. However, the findings of studies of other discourses provide unique perspective and experience for the study on political discourse.Halliday puts forward three language metafunctions: ideational function, interpersonal function and textual function. Interpersonal function is that people use language to communicate with others, establish and maintain relationship, influence others'behaviors and express their opinions. Halliday mainly studies the realization of interpersonal function from grammatical level, that is, from the perspectives of mood, modality and key. His grammatical system is neat and concise. However, it should be noticed that other lexical means also have the potential of realizing interpersonal function. Based on Haliiday's Systemic- Functional Grammar, this dissertation intends explore the various means realizing interpersonal function in political speech.Through the analysis of Obama's Inaugural Address, we find that mood, modal operators, interpersonal pronouns and evaluation words are important means Obama uses to achieve interpersonal function. With different mood structures, the speaker gives information about his political attitude and policy and gives command. With skillful manipulation of imperatives, the speaker succeeds in enhancing his authority while mitigates power. With various modal operators, Obama achieves multiple goals: establishing his status as the authority, shortening the distance with the audience and inspiring the audience. Various personal pronouns not only possess the general functions of attracting hearers'attention, maintaining the two parts'relationship, but also have the specific function of enforcing power on the audience. With evaluations, the speaker expresses his feelings and makes judgment. He reflects his status as the authority and establishes a kind relationship with the audience.