MODAL VERBS IN BARACK OBAMA’S VICTORY SPEECHES
A Thesis
Submitted to Post-Graduate School English Applied Linguistic Program in
Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of
Magister Humaniora
By:
CHITRA LATIFFANI Registration Number : 8126112006
ENGLISH APPLIED LINGUISTICS STUDY PROGRAM
POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL
STATE UNIVERSITY OF MEDAN
MEDAN
MODAL VERBS IN BARACK OBAMA’S VICTORY SPEECHES
A Thesis
Submitted to Post-Graduate School English Applied Linguistic Program in
Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of
Magister Humaniora
By:
CHITRA LATIFFANI Registration Number : 8126112006
ENGLISH APPLIED LINGUISTICS STUDY PROGRAM
POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL
STATE UNIVERSITY OF MEDAN
MEDAN
iii ABSTRACT
CHITRA LATIFFANI. Modal Verbs in Barack Obama’s Victory Speeches. A thesis, English Applied Linguistics Study Program, Post Graduate School, State University of Medan, 2014.
The aim of this study was to discover the modal verbs in Barack Obama’s victory speeches. They were (1) to identify the frequent modal verbs are used in Barack Obama’s victory speeches, (2) to describe the frequent modal verbs are used in Barack Obama’s victory speeches, (3) to explain the meaning does the frequently modal verbs on the overall message conveyed by Barack Obama’s in his first election in 2008 and the second election in 2012 victory speeches. Qualitative research was chosen as the research design of this study because the subject matter of this study was related to the discourse analysis of modal verbs used by Barrack Obama in his victory speeches. The clauses obtained from the first and second political victory speeches of the President of the United States Barack Obama. The analysis was conducted by analyzing modal verbs with reference to Nordquist (2013) and englisch-hilfen.de. (1999-2013). The data analysis reveals that there are twelve modal verbs were used by president of the United States Barack Obama’s in his first victory speeches and eight modal verbs were used by president of the United States Barack Obama’s in his second victory speeches. From his first and second victory speeches he used 5 frequent modal verbs which have the same and the different frequent modal verbs in each victory speeches. The meaning does the frequent modal verbs on the overall message conveyed by Barack Obama’s in his second election in 2012 victory speeches were to show ability from can, possibility from could, promise from will, promise from will not and habits from would. Modal verbs also given an insight or information and underlined his speech to influence others to go along with them willingness to volunteer.
iv ABSTRAK
CHITRA LATIFFANI. Modal Verbs dalam Pidato Kemenangan Barack Obama. Thesis, Program Linguistik Terapan Bahasa Inggris, Pascasarjana Universitas Negeri Medan 2014.
Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui modal verbs dalam pidato kemenangan Barack Obama. Tujuannya adalah (1) untuk mengetahui modal verbs yang sering digunakan oleh Barack Obama dalam pidato kemenangannya, (2) untuk menggambarkan modal verbs yang sering digunakan oleh Barack Obama dalam pidato kemenangannya, (3) untuk menjelaskan arti dari modal verbs yang sering muncul dalam pesan keseluruhan yang disampaikan oleh Barack Obama dalam pidato kemenangannya pada pemilihan presiden pertama pada tahun 2008 dan pemilihan presiden kedua pada tahun 2012. Penelitian kualitatif dipilih sebagai desain penelitian ini karena subyek penelitian ini berkenaan dengan analisis pidato modal verb yang digunakan oleh Barrack Obama dalam pidato kemenangannya. Kausa ditemukan pada pidato politik kemenangan president Amerika Serikat Barack Obama yang pertama dan yang kedua. Analisis yang dilakukan adalah dengan cara menganalisa modal verbs menggunakan teori Nordquist (2013) dan englisch-hilfen.de. (1999-2013). Analisis data menunjukkan bahwa terdapat dua belas modal verbs yang digunakan oleh presiden Amerika Serikat Barack Obama dalam pidato kemenangannya yang pertama dan delapan modal verbs yang digunakan oleh presiden Amerika Serikat Barack Obama dala pidato kemenangannya yang kedua. Dari pidato kemenangannya yang pertama dan kedua, Barack Obama sering lima modal verbs yang mana kedua pidato tersebut terdapat penggunaan modal verbs yang sama dan berbeda. Modal verbs yang sering muncul dalam pesan keseluruhan yang disampaikan oleh Barack Obama dalam pidato kemenangannya pada pemilihan presiden pertama pada tahun 2008 dan pemilihan presiden kedua pada tahun 2012 berarti menunjukkan kemampuan dari can, kemungkinan dari could, janji dari will, janji dari will not dan kebiasaan dari would. Modal verbs juga menggaris bawahi pidato Barack Obama untuk memberikan wawasan atau informasi dan mempengaruhi orang lain untuk berjalan bersamanya secara sukarela.
i
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
First of all, the researcher would like to thank to Allah the Al-mighty who has given her
blessing and merciful until she was able to finish writing this thesis.
In the process of writing this thesis, the researcher has to confess that many people have
given her much help, advice and support. A very special gratitude would be addressed to some
distinguished people as below:
First gratitude belongs to the first adviser of mine is Dr. Siti Aisyah Ginting, M. Pd., and
the second adviser is Prof. Dr. Sumarsih, M. Pd., who advised her in wroting this thesis and
without their guidance and persistent help this thesis would not have been possible.
Third gratitude, the researcher likes to express her deepest thanks to the head of English
Applied Linguistic Study Program Prof. Dr. Busmin Gurning, M. Pd., secretary of English
Applied Linguistic Study Program Dr. Sri Minda Murni, M.S., and all the experienced lectures
who taught, educated and advised her along for three semesters.
Fourth gratitude, the researcher own this deep thanks to the three reviewers of hers. They
are: Prof. Amrin Saragih, M.A., Ph.D., as the first reviewer, Dr. Zainuddin, M.Hum., as the
second reviewer and Dr. Sri Minda Murni, M.S., a the third reviewer who provided her with the
most useful critics and constructive suggestion.
Last, I am indebted to my many classmates LTBI B1 who supported me in wrote this
ii
Alamsyah Lubis, S.Pd., Syafrina K.N. Panjaitan, S.Pd., Fandy Zulmi, S.Pd. for their sincere,
comfort, love and patience.
This thesis is dedicated to my beloved parents who always support me throughout my
life, to my beloved husband who always stood by me and believed that I could do it and to my
beautiful daughter who always being left but always smile whenever I got home.
Medan, June 2014
The researcher,
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.5 The Significance of Study ...6
CHAPTER II REVIEW OF LITERATURE ...8
2.1 Modal Verbs ...8
3.3 Instrument of the Data Collection ...23
3.4 Technique of the Data Collection ...23
3.5 Technique of the Data Analysis ...23
3.6. Trustworthiness of the Study ...25
4.1 Data ...28
4.2 Data Analysis ...28
4.2.1 Modal Verbs are used in Barack Obama’s Victory Speeches ...28
4.2.2 Frequent Verbs used in Barack Obama’s Victory Speeches ...34
4.2.3 Meaning of Frequent Modal Verbs on the Overall Message Conveyed by Barack Obama’s Victory Speeches ...36
4.3 Research Findings ...44
4.3.1 Modal Verbs used in Barack Obama’s Victory Speeches ...44
4.3.2 Frequent Verbs used in Barack Obama’s Victory Speeches ...45
4.3.3 Meaning of Frequent Modal Verbs on the Overall Message Conveyed by Barack Obama’s Victory Speeches ...45
4.4 Discussion ...46
4.4.1 Modal Verbs used in Barack Obama’s Victory Speeches ...47
4.3.2 Frequent Verbs used in Barack Obama’s Victory Speeches ...47
4.3.3 Meaning of Frequent Modal Verbs on the Overall Message Conveyed by Barack Obama’s Victory Speeches ...47
CHAPTER V CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTION ...49
5.1 Conclusion ...49
5.2 Suggestion ...50
LIST OF TABLE
No. 1 Table 2.1 Modals – English Grammar ... 9
No. 2 Table 2.2 Strength and Frequency of Modals Verbs ... 13
No. 3 Table 4.2.1.1 Modal Verbs used in Barack Obama’s victory speeches
in the first election ... 29
No. 4 Table 4.2.1.2 Modal Verbs used in Barack Obama’s victory speeches
in the second election ... 32
No. 5 Table 4.2.2.1 Distribution of Modal Verbs used in Barack Obama’s
victory speeches in the first election ... 34
No. 6 Table 4.2.2.2 Distribution of Modal Verbs used in Barack Obama’s
victory speeches in the second election ... 38
No. 7 Table 4.2.3.1 Meaning of Frequent Modal Verbs used in
Barack Obama’s victory speeches in the first election ... 37
No. 8 Table 4.2.3.2 Meaning of Frequent Modal Verbs used in
LIST OF APPENDIX
No. 1 Appendix 1 Barack Obama First Victory Speech ……. ... 54
No. 2 Appendix 2 Barack Obama Second Victory Speech ..……. ... 59
No. 3 Appendix 3 Modal Verbs Analysis of Barack Obama’s
2008 election Victory Speech ..……. ... 64
No. 4 Appendix 4 Modal Verbs Analysis of Barack Obama’s
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION 1.1. The Background of the Study
Communicating is a very important language activity in human life
and through communication; a person may disclose or convey meaning,
feelings, advice, ideas and so on. Communication can be done orally or in
written form by means of language. In order to what is delivered by a
speaker can be understood by listeners, the language that is used; either the
structure or the word choice, should be arranged in such a way.
Communication which is done orally is different with
communication which is done in written form. The structure of oral
communication is usually irregular and very simple and if the listener did
not understand the message or the meaning of what is the speaker try to
disclose or convey, then the listener can ask question directly to the speaker.
While in written communication, the structure of it should be complete
because if the reader cannot understand the message, the reader could not
directly ask the author.
However, it does not mean that the speaker can use language that is
not particularly well structured in monologue communication. In monologue
communication, the frequently ask and question (FAQ) is not expected to
occur during the speaker delivered his speech. If there is interaction from
the listener, it is only as a sense of awe, agree, sympathetic and so forth that
will attempt to convey meaning by using aspects of the language in such a
way, for example the use of phoneme, morpheme, grammar, metaphor and
modal verbs.
Modal verbs operate like other aspects of language, they can be
analyzed from pragmatic and semantic perspective, they are used to indicate
different meaning or acts like request, obligation, order, permit, etc. Modal
verbs in English regarded as small class of auxiliary verbs. They distinguish
from other verbs because they have not participle or infinitive forms.
According to Jabber and Jinguan (2012) “The modal verbs characterized by
some feature like: they do not use (s) in the third person singular, they are
not used as infinitives or participles, they function like auxiliary verbs do
and they can undergo the subject auxiliary version”.
Seonoaid (2013) states that “The modal verbs that often used are
Can, Could, May, Might, Must, Ought to, Shall, Should, Will and Would”.
These modal verbs is often used to express ability, possibility, permission,
request, offer, suggestion, necessity, advice, obligation, demand, order,
prediction, assumption, wish, promise and habit in declarative and
interrogative sentences. Modal verbs occur in daily conversation, whether
written or spoken. It is spoken by entire people such as teacher, lecturer,
parents, students, doctors, lawyers, politicians, presidents, etc.
Barack Obama for example, as an elected president of The United
States in his speech tries to satisfied and pleased his people and supporters
of modal verbs as one of Barrak Obama’s efforts to convince his people and
supporters.
Examples below show us some of his modal verbs used in his speech
on Manassas, Prince William County, Virginia at November 3rd 2008. The
night before the election:
“Tomorrow you can turn the page on policies that put greed and
irresponsibility before hard work and sacrifice.” Modal verbs can in
his speech occurs to expres ability function in declarative sentences.
“We tried to communicate for these last two years that we can't
afford the same political games, the same tactics that pit us against
one another, that make us afraid of each other.” Modal verbs cannot
in his speech occurs to expres prohibition function in declarative
sentences.
“I'd see my staff and I would say "Are you fired up?" and they would
say "We are fired up, boss, are you ready to go?" And I'd say "I'm
ready to go."” Modal verbs would in his speech occurs to expres
habits function in declarative sentences.
All of above examples show the modal verbs that express ability,
prohibition and habits function in Barack Obama speech to persuade the
audience.
Speech is a power in itself, it is means that through speech, the
speakers can persuade the listeners. The most significant thing in the speech
listener understands the message in the speech, he will responds or behaves
positively. According to Mulyana (1995) “Speech is an utterance with a
good arrangement to be submitted to the crowd”. Its means beside the
message, good arrangement of words and grammar from the speaker speech
is also important in delivered a speech in order that the listener interpreted
the speaker message well.
In Barack Obama’s leadership, there are not only pro which arise but
also the contrary of him. There are his supporters but there are his haters,
but it did not become his obstacle to lead the United States not only for once
but twice in a row. It is become an interesting phenomenon why and how
he, with his background as an African American, can be a president of the
United States defeated his entire opponent and takes the people’s trust in
him. Especially in linguistic area which is related to the use of modal verbs
in his speeches.
Language and politics are related, language is a tool by which the
politicians can command, request, persuade, declare, etc. Due of this,
politicians tend to use special forms of language to give their speech
discourse charm which enable them to send different messages to different
people of different orientations and levels at one time and within one piece
of discourse. According to Jabber and Jinguan (2012), “To achieve these
functions they use language in a subtle, manipulative and convincing way
Based on the research about “The Modals Verbs: A Speech Act of
Request in The Speech of The President of The United States Barack
Obama” Jabber and Jinguan (2012), their resulted that the modal verbs as a
general used as auxiliary verbs can be occurring in declarative, imperative
sentences and also can be used to create interrogative sentences. Three
modal verbs namely “can”, “Will” and “Must” are used by the speaker in the
speech chosen, they frequented many times and the study showed that the
speaker in his speech focus on them as a tool to interact with his
interlocutors. It is mean that modal verbs occurs by the speaker in the
speech that they use and the speaker in his speech focus on them as a tool to
interact with his listeners.
Another previous research about “Modal verbs and politeness
strategies in political discourse” Ruxandra Boicu (2007), conclude that the
use of the modal verbs in Ashley Mote’s speech enhances the illocutionary
force of FTAs (Face-Threatening Acts), as by definition. Considering the
extremist character of nationalist ideology that he promotes, his discourse
might be expected to be more radical and more illocutionarily forceful.
Ashley Mote’s status of an independent politician who is not an MP in the
national parliament cannot enable him to utter commissive speech acts or
stronger directive ones. It is mean that modal verbs spoken by Ashley Mote
enhances the illocutionary force but he enable to utter commissive speech
acts or stronger directive ones due to his status of an independent politician
From all of those interested discusses, the researcher attempted to
research Modal Verbs in Barack Obama’s Victory Speeches. The researcher
interested to know what modal verbs are used in Barack Obama’s victory
speeches, which modal verbs are frequently used in Barack Obama’s victory
speeches and in what meaning does the frequently modal verbs on the
overall message conveyed by Barack Obama’s in his first and the second
election 2012 victory speeches.
1.2.The Problem of the Study
The problem of this study is on to the use of modal verbs in Barack
Obama’s victory speeches in the first election on 2008 and the second
election on 2012. The problems formulated as in the following.
1. What modal verbs are used in Barack Obama’s victory speeches in
the first election in 2008 and the second election in 2012?
2. Which modal verbs are frequently used in Barack Obama’s victory
speeches in the first election in 2008 and the second election in
2012?
3. What meaning does the frequently modal verbs on the overall
message conveyed by Barack Obama’s in his first election in 2008
and the second election in 2012 victory speeches?
1.3.The Objectives of the Study
In relation to the problems, the objectives of the study are to
1. the modal verbs are used in Barack Obama’s victory speeches in the
first election in 2008 and the second election in 2012,
2. the frequent modal verbs are used in Barack Obama’s victory
speeches in the first election in 2008 and the second election in 2012,
and
3. the explanation of what meaning does the frequent modal verbs on
the overall message conveyed by Barack Obama’s in his first
election in 2008 and the second election in 2012 victory speeches.
1.4.The Scope of the Study
The scope of the study is focused on the modal verbs and the use of
modal verbs which are found in Barack Obama’s victory speeches in the
first election in 2008 and the second election in 2012. Further, the analysis
of the study intends to find the objective and explanative of the modal verbs
used in Barack Obama’s victory speeches in the first election in 2008 and
the second election in 2012.
1.5.The Significance of the Study
Finding of the study are expected to be significantly relevant
theoretically and practically.
Theoretically, the researcher expect that the research finding will be useful
for:
1. describing the modal verbs used in Barack Obama’s victory speeches
2. understanding the modal verbs used in Barack Obama’s victory
speeches in the first election in 2008 and the second election in 2012,
3. teaching to improve the ability to teach English and enlarges their
knowledge about the modal verbs that is used in speech, and
4. identifying the speakers’ intentions of the modal verbs in speech,
especially in Barack Obama’s victory speeches in the first election in
2008 and the second election in 2012.
Practically finding of this research will be useful for:
1. other researcher who will conduct the relevance study, this research
will be very a useful aid,
2. politicians can use the findings of this research to give a new point of
view of modal verbs that use in political discourse, and
1
CHAPTER V
CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTION
5.1.Conclusion
This study is concerning on Modal Verbs used by Barack Obama’s victory
speeches in the first election in 2008 and in the second election in 2012. It was aimed to
describing and explaining the frequent modal verbs and the meaning of frequent modal
verbs bring on the overall message conveyed by Barack Obama’s in his first and second
victory speeches.
Based on the analysis of the data which has been done, the conclusions are as the
following:
1. There are fourteen modal verbs used by the president of the United States Barack
Obama in his first victory speech. They are can, cannot, could, could not, may, may
not, might, shall, should, will, will not, would and would not. And for his second
victory speech, they are 8 modal verbs that used by the president of the United States
Barack Obama namely can, could, may, should not, will, will not, would and would
not.
2. There are six frequent modal verbs in general which were used in Barack Obama’s first
victory speeches, they are can, cannot, may not, must, should and will. In Barack
Obama’s second victory speeches there are five frequent modal verbs also that were
used, they are can, could, will, will not and would. From both of his first and second
victory speeches there are nine frequent modal verbs are used, namely 1) can, 2)
2
3. The meaning of frequent modal verbs on the overall message conveyed by Barack
Obama’s victory speeches in the first election in 2008 are to express functions such as
ability from can, incapability from cannot, possibility from may not, necessity from
must, advice from should and promise from will. And the meaning of frequent modal
verbs bring on the overall message conveyed by Barack Obama’s victory speeches in
the second election in 2012 are to express functions such as ability from can, possibility
from could, promise from will, promise from will not and habits from would. Modal
verbs is used in the Barack Obama’s first and second victory speeches to delivering a
message in his speech in order that the listener interpreted the message well and modal
verbs also serving as a social function to show uncertainty or politeness. Modal verbs
also underlining his speech to influence others to go along with them willingness to
volunteer, to give an insight or information on other people and to make other people
happy with an entertaining speech so that other people happy and satisfied with the
greeting that he submitted.
5.2. Suggestion
In accordance with this research, some important suggestions are required as the
following:
1. Modal verbs are one aspect of language which naturally occur in every communication
and can be used by anyone. Speakers, especially politicians, orators and public
speakers, suggested to frequently using modal verbs to influence and deliver a
3
2. Modal verbs used in the Barack Obama’s first and second victory speeches is one of
discourse phenomenon. Find out new phenomena to add discourse aspect and rise up
52
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