奥巴马就职演说中的人称代词的人际功能_英语论文

The Interpersonal Function of Personal Pronouns in Obama’s Inauguration Speech

摘要

本文以奥巴马就职演说中人称代词的人际功能为选题,运用定性和定量的研究方法,从系统功能语法的角度，分析《奥巴马就职演说》中人称代词所承载的人际功能。通过分析第一人称I和we、第二人称you和第三人称it 和they在这篇演说中的人际功能，说明恰如其分地运用人称代词不仅能强化演讲者所要表达的观点，而且能构建演讲者和观众之间的友好关系，使得演说引人入胜，更具说服力，从而赢得观众的支持。

关键词：奥巴马； 就职演说； 人称代词； 人际功能

Abstract

The present thesis conducts a case study of the linguistic function of personal pronouns in Obama’s Inauguration Speech. Guided by Systemic-Functional Grammar, it investigates the interpersonal function of personal pronouns by adopting both quantitative and qualitative approaches. A careful analysis of the personal pronouns employed by Obama in his inauguration speech-- the first person I and we, the second person you, the third person it and they --proves that the application of these personal pronouns not only reinforces the speaker's standpoints but also establishes the friendly relationship between the speaker and the audience, thus making the speech compelling and convincing.

Key words: Obama’s Inauguration Speech; personal pronouns; interpersonal function

Contents

1 Introduction 1

1.1 The significance of the study 1

1.2 Data and methods 1

1.3 Structure 2

2 Literature review 3

3 Theoretical bases 4

4 An analysis of personal pronouns in Obama’s Inauguration Speech 5

4.1 Statistical results 5

4.2 Interpersonal function of personal pronouns 6

4.2.1 The first person pronouns I and we 6

4.2.2 The second person pronoun you 10

4.2.3 The third person pronouns it and they 12

5 Conclusions 14

5.1 Findings 14

5.2 Limitations 15

References 16