奥巴马总统两篇演讲中情态动词使用的对比分析_英语论文

A Comparative Study of Modal Verbs in Two of President Obama’s Speeches

摘要

研究者们经常从不同角度分析研究奥巴马2008年的竞选演说和他的2009年就职演说。本文借鉴了系统功能语言学创始人韩礼德的人际功能理论以及他对情态动词的分类来分析这两篇政治演说词中情态动词的使用。

本研究发现，在量值方面，这两篇演说词中的大部分情态动词是中量值的，高量值和低量值的情态动词只占很少一部分。中量值情态动词的频繁使用使得演说者的语气更显平和，易于被听众接受。第二，两篇演讲词中，高量值情态动词的使用数量有较大差异。奥巴马在就职演说中使用高量值情态动词的次数明显多于获胜演说，以表达他对自己执政能力和美国未来发展的信心。第三，在两篇演讲词中，奥巴马使用最多的低量值情态动词是CAN，意在表明他与美国民众有能力摆脱困境，重建美国。

随着国际交流的日益密切，情态动词的误用易产生误解和冲突。这篇论文旨在帮助人们对情态动词有一个更好地认识，并能正确地使用它们。

关键词：奥巴马；政治演说；人际功能；情态动词；情态量值

Abstract

Obama’s victory speech in 2008 and his inauguration speech in 2009 are often analyzed by many linguists from different aspects. This paper draws on Halliday’s theory of interpersonal function and his classification of modal verbs to study these two political speeches.

It is found that, in terms of modal values, the most frequently used modal verbs in these two speeches are those of median values, while those of high and low values account for a small percentage. The frequent use of modal verbs of median values makes the speaker’s mood mild and more acceptable by the audience. Secondly, the numbers of modal verbs of high values are different in the two speeches. Obama uses more modal verbs of high values in his inauguration speech than in his victory speech, which can show his confidence in his leadership and the America’s future development. Thirdly, in these two speeches, CAN, a modal verb of low values, is used most frequently, which shows Obama and American citizens are able to get rid of trouble and rebuild the country.

With the development of international communication, the abuse of English modal verbs may lead to unnecessary misunderstandings or conflicts. With this paper, people can get a better understanding of modal verbs and employ them in proper way. 

Key words: Obama; political speeches; interpersonal function; modal verbs;  modal values