A CRITICAL DISCOURSE ANALYSIS OF HILLARY CLINTON’S SPEECH AFTER HER PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION DEFEAT IN 2016.A CRITICAL DISCOURSE ANALYSIS OF HILLARY CLINTON’S SPEECH AFTER HER PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION DEFEAT IN 2016.A CRITICAL DISCOURSE ANALYSIS OF HILLARY CLINTON’S SPEECH AFTER HER PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION DEFEAT IN 2016.A CRITICAL DISCOURSE ANALYSIS OF HILLARY CLINTON’S SPEECH AFTER HER PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION DEFEAT IN 2016.A CRITICAL DISCOURSE ANALYSIS OF HILLARY CLINTON’S SPEECH AFTER HER PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION DEFEAT IN 2016.A CRITICAL DISCOURSE ANALYSIS OF HILLARY CLINTON’S SPEECH AFTER HER PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION DEFEAT IN 2016.
INTRODUCTION
Rationale
Language serves as a powerful communication tool that allows individuals to express themselves and connect with others It reflects societal norms and personal perceptions, acting as a medium through which we interpret the world around us Furthermore, language facilitates the creation of specific discourses aimed at achieving particular goals Therefore, any comprehensive study of language must emphasize its practical application in real-life interactions.
‘means of communication’ It is a “medium of domination and social force; it serves to legitimize relations of organized power” (Habermas, 1977, p.259 cited in Wodak and Meyer, 2001).
Fairclough (1989) views language as a process shaped by social conditions, while Wareing (2004) emphasizes its affective function, which determines who can communicate with whom, closely linked to power dynamics and social status Consequently, the choice of language is significantly influenced by the identities of the speakers and listeners, as well as the context in which the interaction occurs.
Language plays a crucial role in politics, often serving as a powerful tool for politicians to achieve their objectives As noted by Chilton and Schaffner (1997), politics fundamentally relies on language, which helps shape social groups and their dynamics Pelinka (2007) emphasizes that the study of language transcends literature and linguistics, highlighting its importance in understanding political discourse.
Language should be understood and examined as a political phenomenon, while politics itself must be viewed and analyzed as a discursive phenomenon This highlights the strong connection between language and political discourse, emphasizing their interdependence in shaping societal narratives.
11 politics, and political speeches are typical examples for the application of linguistic practice to illustrate power and ideology.
Analyzing the messages and the speaker’s embedded ideology and power is the focus of Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) CDA, according to Fairclough
Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) focuses on uncovering the often hidden connections between language, society, and culture, as noted by Fairclough (1996) Van Dijk (1993) emphasizes that analyzing the style and rhetoric of texts can reveal underlying social power dynamics CDA aims to thoroughly examine texts to illuminate the relationships among texts, social processes, and their contexts, highlighting the intricate links between language, power, and ideology.
Hillary Clinton, the former Secretary of State and Senator from New York, has consistently demonstrated her commitment to social justice throughout her multifaceted career as a First Lady, lawyer, activist, and volunteer Her passion and determination have garnered widespread admiration and solidified her influence on national politics and women's progressive ideologies Among her numerous speeches, her concession address following the 2016 Presidential Campaign stands out, leaving a lasting positive impression on Americans and people worldwide, despite her electoral loss.
A critical discourse analysis (CDA) of Hillary Clinton's speech following her 2016 presidential election defeat is essential for understanding her character, the impact of her message, and the ideologies she aimed to convey to her audience This analysis serves as the foundation for the researcher’s MA thesis, highlighting the significance of her words in the context of power dynamics and societal narratives.
Aims of the study
This study seeks to explore the interplay between discourse, ideology, and power in Hillary Clinton's 2016 concession speech To fulfill this aim, it focuses on two specific objectives that guide the analysis of her rhetoric and its implications.
+ Find out the power and ideologies embedded in Hillary Clinton's 2016 concession speech
+ Analyze how the power and ideologies are realized via linguistic features.
Research questions
In order for the above-mentioned aims to be achieved, the research attempts to answer the following questions:
1 What ideologies and power are embedded in Hillary Clinton’s speech after her presidential election defeat in 2016?
2 How are ideologies and power realized linguistically in Hillary Clinton’s speech?
Communication can be categorized into two main types: verbal and nonverbal Key elements such as paralinguistics—encompassing intonation, volume, and speed—and extra-linguistics, including eye contact and facial expressions, play a crucial role in interpreting a speaker's ideology, power, and identity This current Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) focuses exclusively on the vocal aspects of Hillary Clinton's speech, specifically within the context of her 2016 presidential election defeat Although Clinton has delivered numerous speeches throughout her career, this analysis is limited to the insights gained from that particular moment in her political journey.
This research is conducted solely for academic purposes, without any intention to convey the author's personal political views It does not aim to endorse any political parties or influence individuals' political beliefs.
This study employs Fairclough’s (2001) Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) framework, concentrating specifically on vocabulary and grammar to explore the manifestation of power and ideologies in Hillary Clinton’s speech While acknowledging that power and ideologies can often be subtly embedded in language, the research will primarily analyze explicit verbal cues.
CDA has gained significant global and national attention in recent decades, yet research on CDA among Vietnamese scholars is still limited This study aims to contribute to the understanding of CDA as a linguistic approach, enhancing awareness of how power and ideology are embedded in language, and exploring the intricate relationship between language and society.
This study aims to enhance English language education by addressing the challenges learners face in understanding political discourses, primarily due to difficulties in interpreting implicit ideologies The findings are anticipated to benefit foreign language teachers and translators by providing them with a deeper understanding of how power and ideologies are expressed linguistically.
CDA approach will be applied in this thesis to uncover embedded power and ideologies Three following stages of CDA given by Norman Fairclough (2001) will be applied.
Description: This stage describes lexical and syntactic features so as to find out embedded ideologies and power in Hillary’s speech.
Interpretation: It is involved in the relationship between the text and interaction, looking at the speech as a product of a process of production and a resource in the process of interpretation.
Explanation: In this stage, Hillary’s speech is put in the social context to see how it is affected by social structures and vice versa.
Besides, quantitative and qualitative methods are also employed through three stages with qualitative as a more prominent ones.
Basing on the above-mentioned Fairclough’s framework, the researcher builds up her analytical framework for this current study as follows:
The analytical framework demonstrates that description, interpretation, and explanation are interconnected throughout the process This approach examines three key elements—Vocabulary, Grammar, and Macro-structure—to reveal the underlying power dynamics and ideologies present in Hillary Clinton’s 2016 speech.
Figure 1: Analytical framework of the current study
This study utilizes descriptive, qualitative content analysis methods, as supported by Hsieh and Shannon (2005), to interpret text data through systematic coding and pattern identification Additionally, quantitative methods will be applied to analyze word frequency and grammatical patterns The integration of qualitative and quantitative approaches is expected to effectively achieve the research objectives.
In the initial stage of description, various methods are employed to examine the speech's lexicalization, grammar, and macrostructure This stage primarily focuses on lexical choices, the use of voice, and personal nouns, while also analyzing the overall macrostructure of the text.
The analysis will focus on the situational context of Hillary Clinton's speech to interpret its propositions and coherence In the final stage, the text will be examined as a component of social practice, addressing both situational and societal dimensions This will uncover the ideologies and power dynamics embedded within Clinton's rhetoric.
The study is attached to the CDA approach and is carried out following some basic stages.
The initial step involves performing a comprehensive literature review that establishes the theoretical framework essential for understanding the research topic This review also examines previous studies to identify existing scientific gaps relevant to the thesis.
In the second stage, Hillary Clinton's speech is analyzed using Norman Fairclough's framework, focusing on vocabulary, grammar, and macro-structure to provide a comprehensive and detailed examination of her language use.
Then the information is interpreted to help reveal power and ideologies hidden in Hillary Clinton’s speech.
The final stage involves analyzing the chosen discourse to uncover the connection between the speech and its social context, as well as examining how the discourse influences its surroundings and is influenced in return.
This thesis includes the following parts:
Chapter 1: Introduction This part shows the rationale, aims of the study, research questions, scope of the study, significance of the study This chapter also provides a detailed description of the methodology, including analytical framework, rsearch approach, research methods applied for data collection and procedure of data analysis.
This chapter gives the definition of CDA, its approachable methodologies, and a review of previous studies.
Chapter 3 analyzes power and ideologies embedded in Hillary Clinton’s 2016 speech after her defeat in the presidential election
Chapter 4 examines and Hillary Clinton's speech after her presidential election defeat in 2016 to show how power and ideologies are linguistically realized, based on CDA procedure addressed by Norman Fairclough (2001).
It summarizes the major findings of the study, some concluding remarks,limitations and offers some suggestions for further research.
Significance of the study
Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) has gained significant global attention, including in Vietnam, over recent decades However, research on CDA by Vietnamese scholars is still relatively scarce This study aims to contribute to the understanding of CDA as a linguistic approach, enhancing awareness of how power and ideology are interwoven in language and exploring the broader relationship between language and society.
This study aims to enhance English language education by addressing the challenges learners face in understanding political discourses, particularly their difficulty in interpreting implicit ideologies The research is anticipated to be beneficial for foreign language teachers and translators, providing them with insights into how power and ideologies are linguistically expressed.
Methodology
CDA approach will be applied in this thesis to uncover embedded power and ideologies Three following stages of CDA given by Norman Fairclough (2001) will be applied.
Description: This stage describes lexical and syntactic features so as to find out embedded ideologies and power in Hillary’s speech.
Interpretation: It is involved in the relationship between the text and interaction, looking at the speech as a product of a process of production and a resource in the process of interpretation.
Explanation: In this stage, Hillary’s speech is put in the social context to see how it is affected by social structures and vice versa.
Besides, quantitative and qualitative methods are also employed through three stages with qualitative as a more prominent ones.
Basing on the above-mentioned Fairclough’s framework, the researcher builds up her analytical framework for this current study as follows:
The analytical framework reveals that description, interpretation, and explanation are interconnected throughout the process, focusing on three key aspects: Vocabulary, Grammar, and Macro-structure This approach aims to uncover the underlying power dynamics and ideologies present in Hillary Clinton’s 2016 speech.
Figure 1: Analytical framework of the current study
This study utilizes descriptive, qualitative content analysis methods, as outlined by Hsieh and Shannon (2005), to facilitate subjective interpretation of text data through systematic coding and pattern identification Additionally, quantitative methods will be applied to analyze word frequency and grammatical patterns, highlighting the most significant terms The integration of qualitative and quantitative approaches is expected to effectively achieve the research objectives.
In the initial stage of description, various methods are employed to examine the speech's lexicalization, grammar, and macrostructure This stage primarily focuses on lexical choices, including the use of voice and personal nouns, while also analyzing the overall macrostructure of the text.
The analysis will focus on the situational context of Hillary Clinton’s speech to interpret its propositions and coherence In the final stage, the text will be examined as a component of social practice, addressing both situational and societal dimensions This approach will uncover the ideologies and power dynamics embedded within Clinton’s speech.
The study is attached to the CDA approach and is carried out following some basic stages.
The initial phase involves performing a literature review that provides the theoretical framework essential for comprehending the issues pertinent to the research topic This review also examines prior studies to identify the scientific gaps that the thesis aims to address.
In the second stage of analysis, Hillary Clinton's speech is examined through Norman Fairclough's framework, focusing on the vocabulary, grammar, and macro-structure to provide a comprehensive understanding of its linguistic features.
Then the information is interpreted to help reveal power and ideologies hidden in Hillary Clinton’s speech.
The final stage involves analyzing the chosen discourse to uncover the connection between the speech and its social practice, highlighting how the discourse influences its context and, in turn, how the context affects the discourse.
Structure of the study
This thesis includes the following parts:
Chapter 1: Introduction This part shows the rationale, aims of the study, research questions, scope of the study, significance of the study This chapter also provides a detailed description of the methodology, including analytical framework, rsearch approach, research methods applied for data collection and procedure of data analysis.
This chapter gives the definition of CDA, its approachable methodologies, and a review of previous studies.
Chapter 3 analyzes power and ideologies embedded in Hillary Clinton’s 2016 speech after her defeat in the presidential election
Chapter 4 examines and Hillary Clinton's speech after her presidential election defeat in 2016 to show how power and ideologies are linguistically realized, based on CDA procedure addressed by Norman Fairclough (2001).
It summarizes the major findings of the study, some concluding remarks,limitations and offers some suggestions for further research.
LITERATURE REVIEW
Three main approaches to CDA
According to Wodak and Meyer (2009), Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) is not defined by a single theory or methodology; rather, it encompasses a diverse range of approaches stemming from various theoretical backgrounds and methodologies This diversity highlights the multiple ways CDA research can be conducted In this section, we will introduce the three principal approaches to CDA.
2.2.1 The socio-cognitive approach by Teun van Dijk
Teun van Dijk is one of the most famous researchers and the leading pioneer in the domain of CDA.
Van Dijk (1988) conceptualizes discourse as a complex communicative event that is deeply intertwined with its social context, rather than viewing it as a mere isolated structure His discourse analysis theory emphasizes the importance of both structural elements—such as grammar, phonology, morphology, and semantics—and higher-level properties, including coherence, themes, topics, and the overall schematic and rhetorical dimensions of texts.
Van Dijk (1998) introduces basic concepts such as macro, micro, power and his theoretical framework which is shaped around these concepts connects discourse, cognition and society together in a critical way.
Van Dijk’s ideological structural analysis highlights the polarization of in-groups and out-groups, which significantly impacts the forms and meanings of language used in discourse This includes the strategic use of pronouns, possessives, and demonstratives, as well as techniques such as positive self-presentation and negative other-presentation in ideological communication.
CDA of van Dijk (1998b, pp.61-63) gives suggestions that there are five main steps in a procedure of CDA:
- Examining the context of the discourse: historical, political and social background of a conflict and its main participants
- Analyzing groups, power relations and conflict involved
- Identifying positive and negative opinions about Us versus Them.
- Making explicit the presupposed and the implied
- examining all formal structure: lexical choice and syntactic structure, in a way that helps to (de)emphasize polarized group opinions.
2.2.2 The discourse – historical approach by Ruth Wodak
Wodak and Ludwig (1999) emphasize that discourse is inherently historical, linking it both synchronically and diachronically to other communicative events occurring simultaneously or in the past.
Wodak (2001b, pp.69 – 70) has brought out some features for a historical approach to CDA:
- This approach is interdisciplinary Similarly to other critical discourse analysts, she is well-aware of language-society connections so he agrees that CDA is interdisciplinary.
- This interdisciplinary nature could be seen both in theory and practice She combines argumentation theory and rhetoric with Hillary’s Functional Linguistics.
- This approach is problem-oriented rather than emphasizing some special language issues.
- Methodology and theory are chosen through eclecticism.
- In this approach the analyst is always on the move between theory and empirical data.
- Historical context will go under investigation and will be incorporated into the analysis of discourse and texts.
This approach uniquely utilizes background information to uncover various layers of meaning in spoken or written texts, leading to differing interpretations among readers and listeners based on their individual knowledge According to Wodak (2002), it employs an interdisciplinary and multi-methodical strategy, drawing on diverse empirical data and contextual information The framework of this approach is structured around four levels of contact, as outlined by Wodak (2002, p 68).
- The immediate language, or text internal co-text
- The inte-textual and inter-discursive relationships between utterances, texts, genres and discourse.
- The extra-linguistic social/socio-logical variables and institutional frames of specific “context of situation”
- The broader socio-political and historical contexts, which the discursive practices are embedded in and related to.
2.2.3 The Systemic Functional Grammar approach by Norman Fairclough.
Fairclough (2001) is recognized for his significant impact on Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), establishing the foundational theoretical framework that guides subsequent research in the field His model is considered central to CDA, influencing its development and application in various studies.
Fairclough's approach to Systemic Functional Grammar (SFG) offers a fresh perspective on language as a socially constructed entity Grounded in Michael Halliday's Systemic Functional Linguistics from 1978, his framework emphasizes the analysis of texture, structure, and organization within texts Unlike Halliday's original theory of social semiotics, Fairclough highlights the importance of inter-textual analysis as a vital method for connecting texts with their broader contexts.
Fairclough’s CDA model has three categories which he labeled as
• Text (speech, writing, images or a mixture of all three forms)
• Discursive practice (production or constitution of text)
Figure 2: Fairclough’s three-dimensional framework for analysis of discourse (Fairclough 1989, p.26)
The three-dimensional model proposed by Fairclough allows for the analysis of discourse at varying levels: word level (dimension 1), text level (dimension 2), and norm level (dimension 3) This framework is akin to Van Dijk’s three dimensions of ideology analysis, with a key distinction in the interpretation of the second dimension While Van Dijk sees this dimension as a mediator between discourse and society, Fairclough attributes this role to the practices of discourse themselves.
Fairclough (2001, pp.21-22) goes further in classifying the analysis into three stages: description, interpretation and explanation:
The first stage, description, examines lexical and syntactic features so as to find out embedded ideologies and power in Hillary’s speech.
Textual properties gain significance only through social interactions, making interpretation essential for analyzing discourse processes and their reliance on underlying assumptions Figure 3 illustrates various interpretative procedures involved in this examination.
The third stage of analysis focuses on understanding discourse as a social process, investigating how discourse relies on social structures and the influence it exerts on them This relationship is mediated by members' resources (MR), which encompass background knowledge, values, beliefs, and assumptions, as well as the interpretative procedures of the text according to Fairclough The steps involved in this stage are illustrated in Figure 3.
Fairclough gives out three questions that can be used to investigate a particular discourse in this stage, such as:
- Social determinants What power relations at situational, institutional and societal levels help shape this discourse?
- Ideologies: What elements of MR which are drawn upon have an ideological character?
- Effects: How is this discourse positioned in relation to struggles at the situational, institutional and societal levels? Are these struggles overt or covert ?
Is this discourse formative with respect to MR or creative? Does it contribute to sustaining existing power relations or transforming them?
Norman Fairclough has simplified the process of conducting research in Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) by proposing a list of ten primary questions divided into three categories: vocabulary, grammar, and textual structures, each accompanied by relevant sub-questions While this comprehensive set of questions is applicable to general discourse analysis, this study focuses on selecting only the most pertinent questions tailored to the specific discourse being analyzed.
1 What experiential values do words have? What classification schemes are drawn upon?
Are there words which are ideologically contested?
Is there rewording or overwording?
What ideologically significant meaning relations (synonymy, hyponymy, antonymy) are there between words?
2 What relational values do words have? Are there cuphemistic expressions?
Are there markedly formal or informal words
3 What expressive values do words have?
5 What experiential values do grammatical features have? What types of process and participants predominate?
Are processes what they seem?
Are sentences active or passive?
Are sentences positive or negative?
6 What relational values do grammatical features have?
What modes (declarative, grammatical questions, imperative) are used?
Are there important features of relational modality?
Are the pronouns we and you used and if so, how?
7 What expressive values do grammatical features have? Are there important features of expressive modality?
8 How are (simple) sentences linked together? What logical connectors are used?
Are complex sentences characterized by coordination or subordination?
What means are used for referring inside and outside the text?
9 What interactional conventions are used?
Are there ways in which one participant controls to turns of others?
10 What larger - scale structure does the text have?
Among the three approaches discussed—Teun van Dijk's socio-cognitive approach, Ruth Wodak's discourse-historical approach, and Norman Fairclough's Systemic Functional Grammar—Fairclough's framework is deemed the most suitable for this thesis While Van Dijk and Wodak's frameworks can inspire various research ideas, they lack the specificity and clarity found in Fairclough’s approach With its structured steps and numerous guiding questions, Fairclough’s framework enables researchers to analyze data from multiple perspectives Furthermore, it emphasizes the interplay between texts, social contexts, and critical social factors like power and ideology This chosen framework will be explored in greater detail in the following chapter.
Ideology and power in CDA
The term “ideology” refers to various concepts The notion of ideology was coined by French philosopher Destutt de Tracy at the end of the 18th century In
In 1998, Van Dijk described ideology as the foundation of social representations shared within a group, suggesting that it significantly influences perceptions of truth and falsehood This framework allows individuals to align their behaviors with the norms of their environment, shaping their responses to various situations.
According to Van Dijk (2000), ideology is defined as a "system of beliefs" that encompasses social, political, and religious ideas shared by a group or movement This concept, rooted in Destutt de Tracy’s work, highlights ideology as a collective framework that influences community motivation and behavior It is viewed as a "science of ideas," akin to psychology or cognitive science, focusing on how people think, speak, and argue Van Dijk emphasizes that ideologies are not individual beliefs but rather the fundamental shared convictions of a society, shaping the identity and actions of its members.
According to Fairclough (1996/2002), "ideology" refers to the underlying assumptions embedded in practices, particularly within Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), that support and perpetuate relations of domination, often in a subtle manner.
The CDA must acknowledge its own ideological biases, as it operates within a landscape of competing ideologies, one of which often dominates and influences societal norms According to Thompson (1990), ideology encompasses the social norms and processes that facilitate the circulation of symbolic forms in society, playing a crucial role in establishing and perpetuating unequal power relations.
The relationship between ideology and Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) is significant, as noted by Van Dijk (1996), who states that ideologies create connections between discourse and society Fairclough and Wodak (1996) further emphasize that discourse performs ideological functions, often reflecting false or ungrounded societal constructs Consequently, it is understood that ideologies are deeply intertwined with language, making it a prevalent medium for disseminating ideas and influencing social behavior, particularly when individuals overlook "common sense" assumptions.
Power relations refer to the dynamics between groups that shape underlying ideologies Power, a complex and abstract concept, significantly influences our lives It is defined as the capacity of one party to compel compliance or obedience from others, highlighting its critical role in social interactions.
In 2004, it was defined that power is exercised by individuals in more dominant positions, utilizing language as a tool to assert their influence This use of language not only reflects societal perceptions but also serves as a manifestation of their authority, highlighting the intricate relationship between power dynamics and communication (Blaska, 1991).
Fowler (1985) and van Dijk (1996) define power as an asymmetrical relationship characterized by control, primarily manifested through language Fowler states that "power is the ability of people and institutions to control the behaviour and material lives of others" (p 61), highlighting that power involves transitive relationships, such as those between parents and children, employers and employees, and governments and citizens Language serves as a tool for enforcing authority and privilege, shaping the roles and statuses that enable individuals to exert power Likewise, van Dijk emphasizes that social power represents the control one group holds over another, making power a crucial concept in understanding societal group relations.
Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) aims to reveal and comprehend the dynamics of power relationships within society by analyzing language, which is intricately linked to social power Power is considered a core aspect of CDA, as language derives its influence from the use of impactful words Consequently, CDA often adopts the viewpoint of marginalized individuals and critically examines the language employed by those in positions of authority.
This paper defines power as the capacity of dominant individuals or groups to instill their social and political ideologies through discourse, either implicitly or explicitly This perspective aligns with Fairclough's (1989) concept of 'ideological power,' where ideologies are presented as common sense or universal truths The analysis of the subsequent texts focuses on two key aspects of power: authority and source.
Power can be categorized based on the resources used to exert it, such as the military's coercive force, the financial influence of wealthy individuals, or the persuasive authority of educators and journalists grounded in knowledge However, power is rarely absolute; it often exists within specific contexts or social domains, as seen when a doctor has authority only in a hospital or a teacher within a classroom Moreover, those subjected to power may respond in various ways, including resistance, acceptance, compliance, or even legitimizing the power they experience, sometimes perceiving it as a natural state.
Speeches of politicians have received much attention from both political and linguistic analysts.
Reyes-Rodrigue (2006) demonstrates the power realized in Bush’s speeches after the event of September 11 attacks with detailed description on the emotional factor in this president's speeches.
In her 2010 study, Junling Wang utilized Halliday’s Systemic Functional Grammar to perform a critical discourse analysis of Barack Obama’s speeches Focusing on three meta-functions—ideational, interpersonal, and textual—the research explored the interplay between language, ideology, and power It highlighted how Obama effectively used language as a persuasive tool to influence voters during his presidential campaign.
The research, “American Political Discourse as Manifested in Hillary Clinton’s Interviews: A Critical Approach” by Doha Mahmoud Abdel – Moiety
In 2014, a study explored the American political discourse within the interview genre by applying critical discourse analysis to various television interviews featuring former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton This research integrates insights from multiple disciplines, including genre theory, systemic functional grammar, and critical discourse analysis, to examine the underlying meanings and implications of her speech.
In their 2019 study, Kanwal S and García M conducted a critical discourse analysis of Hillary Clinton's campaign speeches, utilizing Fairclough’s three-dimensional model and Gee’s Frame Problem Tool The research revealed that Clinton effectively employed framing techniques to project her gender identity, portraying herself as a courageous advocate for the rights of all Americans, regardless of their creed, sect, religion, gender, or nationality.
In Vietnam, several studies have explored critical discourse analysis (CDA) in political speech, including Nguyễn Diệu Hằng's 2014 analysis of President Barack Obama’s speech at Nelson Mandela’s memorial This research applies CDA to examine the language features, both lexical and grammatical, as well as the interplay between situational and intertextual contexts Utilizing Fairclough’s framework, the study delves into the discourse and social processes present in Obama’s address delivered on December 10, 2013.
Chapter summary
This chapter outlines the theoretical framework foundational to this study, encompassing the history and definitions of Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), as well as three key approaches: Teun van Dijk's socio-cognitive approach, Ruth Wodak's discourse-historical approach, and Norman Fairclough's Systemic Functional Grammar approach Among these, Fairclough’s framework (2001) is chosen as the most suitable method for addressing the research questions The chapter also reviews relevant previous studies to pinpoint the scientific gap that this research aims to fill, highlighting the interest of critical discourse analysts in political speeches, particularly Hillary Clinton’s Notably, there has been no prior study in Vietnam focusing on the analysis of Hillary Clinton’s 2016 concession speech.
POWER AND IDEOLOGIES IN HILLARY CLINTON’S 24
Friendliness
Friendliness is a key trait that reflects a genuine concern for others, fostering cooperation, assistance, and trust By embodying friendliness, individuals can enhance the depth and richness of their relationships.
The compelling part of this speech is that Hillary is being sufficiently cautious in putting herself in the low-light and all of her supporters in the highlight.
In her opening remarks, she expressed heartfelt gratitude to the audience, saying "Thank you" ten times and referring to them as "my friends," which highlighted her connection and affection for them, stating, "I love you all."
She highly appreciated her supporters, showing her pride to be their representative
You represent the best of America, and being your candidate has been one of the greatest honors of my life (Line 13-14)
Friendliness involves being open to others, embracing relationships even with those we don't know well, and allowing ourselves to be vulnerable and interdependent In her speech, Hillary emphasized the importance of assuming that others are well-intentioned and willing to engage in reciprocal relationships, highlighting the potential for mutual learning She showcased her influence by reflecting on their collective achievements, stating, "We’ve spent a year and a half bringing together millions of people from every corner of our country to say with one voice."
After experiencing the notable setback of losing the US election to Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton emphasized the importance of resilience through gratitude She expressed heartfelt appreciation for her community, friends, and family, highlighting the significance of a strong leader who values every individual In her speech, she acknowledged numerous supporters, including Tim Kaine, Barack and Michelle Obama, and her entire family, while also showing her care for people of all races, religions, genders, and backgrounds, including immigrants, the LGBT community, and those with disabilities Clinton's recognition of these diverse individuals underscored her commitment to a multicultural society, reflecting her dedication to all Americans.
Hillary further attempts to be “relatable” to her economically middle to low-class supporters when she thanked for even the smallest donations given to her campaign
- “To everyone who sent in contributions as small as $5 and kept us going” (line 77-78)
In her acceptance speech for the 'Champion for Girls' award from Girls Inc in 2018, she emphasized the importance of practicing gratitude, especially during challenging times She noted that while it’s easy to feel grateful when things are going well, true resilience comes from maintaining a grateful mindset in the face of setbacks This discipline not only broadens one’s perspective on life, community, and the world but also fosters the inner strength and determination to persevere and continue striving despite difficulties.
Hillary showcases her power and ideologies by using humor to convey friendliness, particularly by emphasizing her family's efforts This approach resonated well with the audience, resulting in laughter and a positive connection.
- You crisscrossed this country, even four-month-old Aidan, who traveled with his mom (Line 63-64)
Humor, which is believed to enforce positive validation, toning down the degree of formality, is also added when she addresses her supporters that secretly support her candidacy.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the countless volunteers, community leaders, activists, and union organizers who engaged with their neighbors, knocked on doors, and utilized social media platforms, including private Facebook groups, to foster community involvement and support.
Patriotism
Patriotism, often referred to as national pride, encompasses the love, devotion, and deep attachment one feels towards their homeland In his groundbreaking philosophical analysis, Nathanson (1993, pp.34–35) articulates that patriotism involves a profound commitment to one’s country, highlighting its significance in shaping individual identity and community bonds.
- Special affection for one’s own country
- A sense of personal identification with the country
- Special concern for the well-being of the country
- Willingness to sacrifice to promote the country’s good
Hillary Clinton's speech during her presidential campaign vividly reflects the ideology of patriotism As a candidate, she effectively harnessed her ability to represent all citizens by frequently incorporating phrases like "our country," "the country we love," and "building an America." This consistent use of patriotic language, including terms such as "our nation" and "strength in our convictions and love for this nation," underscores her commitment to national unity and pride.
- I congratulated Donald Trump and offer to work with him on behalf of our country (Line 6)
- To Barack and Michelle Obama, our country owes you an enormous debt of gratitude (Line 56,57)
Despite the deep divisions revealed in our nation, Hillary emphasized the importance of unity among all Americans following the election She demonstrated her unwavering faith in America by calling for collective solidarity, acknowledging the election results, and encouraging her supporters to share in her optimism Hillary's message was clear: to believe in America means accepting the outcome and focusing on a hopeful future.
In her 12-minute speech, Hillary emphasized the importance of solidarity among US citizens, urging them to take action for the greater good of the country Her passionate call for patriotism highlighted her pride in being an American, showcasing her belief in the collective responsibility to foster unity and progress.
- I count my blessings every single day that I am an American (Line 99)
Our goal is to create an inclusive economy that benefits all Americans, not just the wealthy elite We prioritize the protection of our nation and the environment, while also dismantling obstacles that prevent individuals from realizing their dreams.
- We believe that the American dream is big enough for everyone (Line 43- 44)
- Our responsibility as citizens is to keep doing our part to build that better, stronger, fairer America we seek (Line 48-49)
- Finally, finally, I am so grateful for our country and for all it has given to me (Line 87-98)
As a former presidential candidate, Hillary Clinton seeks to project herself as a patriot, emphasizing her beliefs in the country's values and her connection to its history and future This commitment to patriotism underlines her political ideology and reflects her desire for a sense of belonging within the nation.
Inspiration
In her reflective speech following the 2016 presidential election, Hillary Clinton emphasized the importance of resilience, hard work, and unwavering dedication to one's beliefs Despite the challenges she faced, she inspired her audience by showcasing the strength of aiming high and persevering through setbacks, reinforcing the idea that maintaining faith in oneself is crucial for overcoming obstacles.
Following her candid acknowledgment of experiencing both triumphs and painful setbacks, she offered uplifting advice aimed at inspiring others This perspective suggests that her failures act as a catalyst for motivation, propelling her to progress rather than succumbing to despair.
- Many of you are at the beginning of your professional, public, and political careers — you will have successes and setbacks too (Line 82-83).
- I believe we are stronger together and we will go forward together (Line 104-105)
Let us maintain our faith in one another and not lose hope, as there are still many seasons ahead and important work to accomplish together.
Not only in this speech, Hillary Clinton depicted her power and ideologies by trying to make herself as a feminist icon, a role-model for woman not only in the
Hillary Clinton, despite losing the election, continues to inspire as a courageous feminist leader who has significantly impacted the fight for women and girls Her career has paved the way for future generations, highlighting her role in advancing feminism In her recent speech, she motivated female listeners by sharing her story and reinforcing the importance of their contributions to society.
To all the women, particularly the young women who have supported this campaign, I want to express my deep pride in being your champion Your faith in me has been an incredible source of motivation.
To all the young girls watching, remember that you are valuable, powerful, and worthy of every opportunity to chase and fulfill your dreams.
Hillary Clinton has profoundly impacted the emotional landscape of the upcoming US presidential election for women globally Her deep understanding of the female experience today empowers women, demonstrating that they need not remain in the shadows For years, Clinton has inspired women by showcasing strength and resilience in leadership roles.
The presence of a female presidential candidate profoundly influences young girls, fostering a more open and hopeful worldview This significant milestone inspires them to challenge societal norms and strive to break the glass ceiling.
Chapter summary
This study focuses on the power dynamics and ideologies present in Hillary Clinton's 2016 concession speech, examining the linguistic features that convey her authority as a female politician The analysis addresses the research question regarding the ideologies embedded in her speech following her presidential election defeat Key findings reveal four prominent ideologies that reflect her power: optimism, friendliness, patriotism, and inspiration.
REALIZATION OF POWER AND IDEOLOGIES IN 33
Description of vocabulary use
The experiential values of a text can be understood through its classification schemes, which categorize aspects of reality based on shared ideological characteristics This classification reveals that the structure of vocabulary, including synonyms, hyponyms, and antonyms, is fundamentally influenced by ideological factors (Fairclough, 2001, pp 96-97).
The selection of words in Hillary's speech reflects a strategic ideological framework, prominently featuring a variety of positive lexical devices This approach highlights the use of both positive and negative terminology, as detailed in the accompanying tables.
Line Lexical items Line Lexical items
Thank, thank you 54 hope and comfort
5 love, congratulated 57 enormous debt of gratitude
11 pride, gratitude, wonderful 65 creative, talented, dedicated
12 vast, diverse, creative, unruly, energized
49 better, stronger, fairer 104 stronger grateful 105 go forward
Table 1: Words with positive meaning in Hillary’s 2016 speech
While a lot of efforts are placed into creating her positive image and people involved, sometimes Hillary utilized words and phrases to imply negative meaning.
Line Lexical items Line Lexical items
9 Sorry, not win 40 breaking down, barriers, hold…back
23 deeply divided 91 highest and hardest
Table 2: Words with negative meaning in Hillary’s 2016 speech
The analysis of the data reveals that positive lexical items significantly outnumber negative ones, with "thank you" appearing 16 times in Hillary's speech This indicates that her primary intention was to express gratitude for the support received during her presidential campaign, reflecting the optimism discussed earlier in the chapter Despite her defeat, Hillary effectively utilized positive language to convey her appreciation for being part of the campaign, while only minimally addressing her disappointment.
- But I feel pride and gratitude for this wonderful campaign (Line 11).
- Being your candidate has been one of the greatest honors of my life (Line 14)
- I’m so grateful to stand with all of you (Line 51)
Hillary adopted many positive terms to praise those supporting her during the campaign, and to the girls who are listening to her speech
- I will always be grateful to the creative, talented, dedicated men and women at our headquarters in Brooklyn and across our country (Line 65)
- Never doubt that you are valuable and powerful (Line 95)
+ Rewording: Some words and expressions are repeated in the speech to emphasize Hillary Clinton’s ideologies.
In her speech, the speaker frequently expressed her emotions and feelings following the election, highlighting her disappointment This emphasis on her personal sentiments demonstrated her empathy and commitment to taking responsibility for the nation.
- But I feel pride and gratitude for this wonderful campaign that we built together’ (line 11).
- ‘I know how disappointed I feel because I feel it too’ (Line 15)
Our constitutional democracy values the peaceful transfer of power, which we not only respect but cherish deeply It also upholds essential principles such as the rule of law, equality in rights and dignity, and the freedoms of worship and expression We hold these values in high regard and must remain committed to defending them.
Hillary emphasized the importance of 'respect' and 'cherish' to her supporters, urging them to maintain a peaceful spirit during the presidential transition and to uphold constitutional values Despite the election results not meeting her expectations, she encouraged her supporters to focus on these two vital principles.
This loss hurts, but please never stop believing that fighting for what is right is worth it It is, it is worth it ( Line 84-86 )
Hillary highlighted the phrase "worth it" to resonate with her audience, encapsulating the challenges she and her supporters endured throughout the campaign This emphasis served to reinforce the idea that their hard work and perseverance ultimately led to a meaningful purpose, encouraging everyone to maintain their belief in the value of their efforts.
Over the past year and a half, we united millions across the nation to affirm that the American dream is inclusive and accessible to all individuals, regardless of race, religion, gender, immigration status, sexual orientation, or disability.
Hillary emphasized the inclusivity of the American dream by repeatedly stating "for everyone," highlighting that this opportunity is accessible to all Americans.
Synonyms are words or phrases that share similar meanings, enhancing the richness and vibrancy of speech and writing By incorporating synonyms, you can create more engaging and vivid imagery, preventing monotony and repetition This practice not only improves communication but also makes your text more interesting and enjoyable for readers.
Norman Fairclough (2001, p.96) observed that true absolute synonyms are rare, leading to the concept of near synonymy among words In her speech, Hillary employed synonyms seven times, showcasing her adeptness at selecting varied lexical items This strategic use of synonyms highlights her linguistic flexibility and enhances the richness of her communication.
For example: wonderful campaign (line 11)- vast, diverse, creative, unruly, energized campaign(line 12) disappointed (line 15)- painful (line18)- hurt (line 84) outcome (line 8)- result (line 25) thank (Line 1,2,3,4,51,58, 78 )- gratitude (line 11, 57)- grateful (line 51,65,
97,111)- blessing (line 99)- bless (line 113) rule (line 31)- principle (line 32)- values (line 33) look to the future (line 25-26)- keep advancing (line 37) barriers, hold…back (Line 40)
Using antonyms helps to emphasize the speaker’s viewpoint, show contrast, or explain exactly what he/she means Similar to synonyms, antonyms add
"colors" to the speech or writing Hillary Clinton’s 2016 concession speech had two cases of antonyms to show her contrasting ideas not respect (line 31)- cherish (line 31) successes (line 81,83)- setbacks (line 81,83)
Fairclough (2001) highlights that relational value emphasizes the impact of word choice on social relationships among participants This aspect of language is significant, as it enables the speaker to establish a strong connection with the audience through their choice of words.
The speech predominantly employs a formal tone, yet it also incorporates subtle elements of informal language.
- I love you all too (Line 4).
Hillary also indicated intimacy with the audience by naming them as friends and calling for collaborative actions with them.
Thank you, my friends (Line 3)
Let us trust in one another and remain steadfast, for there are many seasons ahead and important work still lies before us.
Harris (2013, p.33) states, “metaphorical language makes writing more vivid, imaginative, thought-provoking, and meaningful”.
Now, I know we have still not shattered that highest and hardest glass ceiling, but someday someone will and hopefully sooner than we might think right now. (Line 91)
In Hillary Clinton's speech, the phrase "highest and hardest glass ceiling" serves as a powerful metaphor, illustrating the intangible barriers that hinder women and minorities from achieving top positions in society According to Merriam-Webster, a glass ceiling represents the invisible obstacles that prevent these groups from advancing in their careers This concept has been particularly relevant in U.S history, where women and people of color have faced significant challenges in reaching their professional aspirations Hillary's longstanding commitment to women's rights highlights her awareness of these issues, and her use of this metaphor underscores her own struggles within the context of American feminism, particularly her ambition to become the first female president of the United States.
Description of grammatical features
According to Fairclough (2006, p.100), the experiential aspects of grammar relate to how grammatical forms express real or imagined actions, events, states, or relationships When representing these elements textually, one often faces choices between various grammatical processes and participant types, and the selections made can carry significant ideological implications.
Webber (1992) argues that there is an inherent link between linguistic structure and ideological meaning However, he emphasizes that the interpretation of utterances featuring passive or nominalized forms is context-dependent, shaped by the perspectives of individual listeners or readers.
Hillary Clinton's speech following her presidential election defeat on November 8, 2016, exemplifies the significance of her vocal delivery in conveying her ideologies and authority Analyzing her use of voice during this address highlights the underlying messages and themes she aimed to communicate to her audience.
Table 3: Number of active and passive sentences in Hillary Clinton’s 2016 speech.
In the analyzed speech, active sentences significantly outnumber passive ones, with 42 active sentences representing 67.8% of the total 62 sentences In contrast, there is only 1 passive sentence, accounting for a mere 1.6%.
Active: ‘I love you all’ (Line 4)
‘We did not win this election for the value’ (Line 9)
‘We must accept this result.’ (Line 25)
‘We owe him an open mind and the chance to live’ (Line 28)
Passive: ‘Our nation is more deeply divided than we thought’ (Line 23)
The use of active voice in her speech highlights her power and ideology, allowing her to clearly convey her message and minimize misunderstanding and ambiguity for the audience By prioritizing active voice, she effectively communicates her ideas.
- ‘I want everybody coming out from behind that and make sure your voices are heard going forward’ (Line 75).
- ‘We need you to keep up these fights now and for the rest of your lives’(lines 87 – 88).
- The use of personal pronouns.
Pronouns serve as powerful indicators of ideology and power dynamics within a text According to Hall (1977), both linguists and anthropologists emphasize the significance of pronouns in linking language to particular speakers and contexts, while also reflecting the evolving responsibilities of participants in communicative interactions.
Pronouns play a crucial role in common syntactic strategies and word order variations, enabling political actors to emphasize specific words and groups This flexibility in placement allows for the effective highlighting of key points in communication.
Wodak et al (1999) identified the strategic use of pronouns in political discourse, highlighting that the frequent use of the pronoun 'we' serves as an effective linguistic tool This repetition not only fosters a sense of identification but also builds solidarity among groups, making it a significant element in political communication.
Fairclough (2001) highlights the relational values of grammatical features, emphasizing the significance of pronouns, particularly 'we' and 'I', in revealing ideology and power dynamics The usage frequency of these pronouns in Hillary Clinton's speech is illustrated in the accompanying table.
Table 4: Frequency of pronouns “I” and “We” in Hillary Clinton’s
The analysis of the table highlights that the pronouns "I" and "We" are frequently used in the speech, with "I" being the more dominant choice This preference underscores Hillary Clinton's assertion of personal power, as "I" directly references her Additionally, the strategic use of "I" and "we" fosters a sense of shared identity between the speaker and the audience The notion of a united America is further reinforced through the substantial use of possessive adjectives such as "our" (25 occurrences), "my" (7 occurrences), and the object pronoun "us" (8 occurrences).
‘me’ (4 times), them (2 times), you (9 times both as subjects and objects)
In her speech, Hillary effectively employed pronouns like “we” and “our” to foster a sense of connection with her audience, suggesting a desire to share experiences rather than center the discussion on herself Additionally, her use of the phrasal verb “on behalf of” highlighted her commitment and responsibilities to her country She expressed deep gratitude when mentioning prominent figures such as Barack and Michelle Obama, further emphasizing her respect for their contributions Notably, the second-person pronoun “you” appeared nine times, directly addressing specific individuals and enhancing the personal engagement of her message.
‘To Barack and Michelle Obama, our country owes you an enormous debt of gratitude.’ (line 56). sometimes to ‘Americans from all walks of life
We all share the responsibility to contribute to a better, stronger, and fairer America for everyone, regardless of race, religion, gender, migration status, sexual orientation, or ability.
Fairclough (2001) identified three modes of expression in text: declarative, interrogative, and imperative, each contributing uniquely to ideological expression In an analysis of 62 sentences, excluding greetings and closing wishes, 56 were found to be declarative, while 6 were imperative.
The speaker effectively communicates information through declarative sentences, clearly expressing Hillary's feelings following her presidential election Her role as an influential American figure is evident as she aims to inform the public about her experiences and emotions during this pivotal moment.
Types of sentences Number of occurrences
Table 5: Modes of sentences in Hillary Clinton’s 2016 speech.
By using imperative sentences, the speaker also tries to make clear and focus that the American people need to keep advancing the causes and values for the whole country.
‘Now and let me add: Our constitutional democracy demands our participation, not just every four years, but all the time’ (Line 35 – 36).
‘So let’s do all we can to keep advancing the causes and values we hold dear’.( Line 37).
‘Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in good season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.’ (Line 107).
‘My friends, let us have faith in each other, let us not grow weary and lose heart’ (Line 109).
Hillary delivered a powerful message to her supporters, urging them to move forward from the painful loss By employing anaphora, she emphasized the importance of acknowledging their grief while maintaining faith and focusing on positive actions for the future Hillary's call to action was clear: she wanted her supporters to persevere and continue their efforts.
Description of macro-structure… …
This study previously explored Hillary Clinton's power and ideology through micro-structural elements like lexical choices and grammatical features In this section, the focus shifts to analyzing the macro-structure of the text.
1 Thanking the audience and greeting 1-4
5 thanking family, friends and supporters 51- 80
6 inspring people to move forward 81-110
Table 9: Macro-structure of Hillary Clinton’s 2016 speech
Hillary Clinton's speech showcases a well-organized structure that effectively connects her ideas, enhancing coherence and ensuring her message resonates with the audience This macro-structure is crucial in conveying the power and ideologies embedded within her discourse.
Interpretation
Fairclough’s framework identifies interpretation as the second stage that focuses on understanding the meaning of utterances, local coherence, and text structure This stage encompasses various elements of text interpretation, such as schemata, cohesion, grammar, and vocabulary, which have been discussed previously In analyzing context, two domains are considered: situational context and inter-textual context However, since Hillary Clinton's concession speech stands alone rather than being part of a series, the interpretation primarily emphasizes the situational context.
To reveal the underlying ideologies and power dynamics within discourse, Fairclough suggests addressing four key questions: who is involved, what is happening, what are the relationships at play, and what role does language serve in this context.
First, What is going on? The event here is the delivering of a political speech from Hillary Clinton- a loser candidate in the US presidential election in
In her 2016 speech, she expressed heartfelt gratitude to her family, friends, and supporters while sharing inspirational thoughts on national solidarity She portrayed herself as a resilient woman, encouraging others to strive for a brighter future despite facing setbacks.
In her speech, Hillary Clinton addresses a wide audience, including all Americans and those interested in American politics, as it is broadcast live and published in newspapers As a defeated presidential candidate, she directly references key figures such as Donald Trump and Barack Obama, along with her family and supporters, including veterans, volunteers, community leaders, activists, and union organizers The speech is characterized by minimal interaction between Clinton and the audience, primarily consisting of applause and laughter, rendering it a monologue where the audience passively receives her message.
The speaker, a political leader, typically holds a higher position, granting her the authority to shape the discourse, select the information presented, and determine the language of her speech She strategically decides the timing, location, and manner of expressing her power and ideologies, while also considering the target audience for her message These factors significantly influence both the content and language of her speeches.
Language serves a crucial role in conveying information, expressing emotions, and sharing inspirational ideas from Hillary Clinton to her audience The language she employs is vital in demonstrating her power and communicating her ideologies effectively.
In the following aspect, the interpretation of particular factors will be discussed in detail to clarify Hillary’s intention.
In her 2016 speech, Hillary Clinton began by expressing heartfelt gratitude to her audience, friends, family, and supporters gathered at the hotel following the presidential election She congratulated Donald Trump on his victory and extended an offer to collaborate for the benefit of the nation, expressing hope for his success as president for all Americans Despite her disappointment in not winning, she took pride in her contributions to the country throughout her political career and thanked her supporters, whom she regarded as exemplary representatives of America Clinton's speech was characterized by a positive and uplifting vocabulary, highlighted by her emotional declaration, "I love you all," which reflected her deep appreciation for the people she served.
In her waiver speech, Hillary Clinton expressed her profound disappointment over the election results, using emotionally charged words such as "disappointed," "painful," and "hurts." She highlighted the feelings of a nation that is "deeply divided" and emphasized the importance of accepting the outcome despite the emotional turmoil it has caused.
‘owe’ Afterthat, the picture seemed to be more attractive when she used a great number of verbs, nouns, and adjectives with positive meanings: ‘hope,’ ‘hopeful’,
‘inclusive’ ‘big–hearted’, ‘cherish’, ‘respect’ Her big contributions should deserve ‘dignity and respect,’ ‘freedom of worship and expression’
She emphasized the importance of active American participation in democracy, as outlined by the US Constitution, urging citizens to continuously advocate for essential causes and values She noted that every four years presents an opportunity to drive progress, highlighting the significance of economic development not just for national security, but also for the protection of the planet.
She used words to emphasize the importance of developing the country to make it stronger, better, and fairer with responsibility of citizens from all walks of life.
Hillary Clinton highlighted the vital contributions of her journey's companions, including Tim Kaine, Ann Holton, and former leaders Barack and Michelle Obama She acknowledged the unwavering support of her family—Bill, Chelsea, Mark, Charlotte, Aidan, and her brother—as well as the dedication of veterans, millions of volunteers, community leaders, activists, and union organizations.
Hillary Clinton reflected on her lifelong political journey, acknowledging both her successes and failures She emphasized the importance of perseverance with the phrase, “it is, it is worth it,” encouraging continued support for the younger generation Clinton expressed deep pride in the women who have inspired her, particularly the young women who placed their trust in her campaign Throughout her speech, she conveyed heartfelt gratitude to her supporters and the nation for the opportunity to represent all citizens in a pivotal election.
In her speech, she expresses heartfelt gratitude to the people while portraying herself as a resilient woman who strives for excellence despite setbacks Notably, the use of active voice is prominent throughout, highlighting her unwavering commitment even after experiencing electoral defeat.
- Last night, I congratulated Donald Trump and offer to work with him on behalf of our country (Line 5)
- We respect and cherish these values (Line 33)
- I want everybody coming out from behind that and make sure your voices are heard going forward (Line 75-76)
Hillary Clinton's speech effectively employs active voice to highlight her determination and assertiveness, ensuring clarity by clearly identifying the subject taking action This emphasis on the actor enhances the impact of her message Notably, the use of passive voice is minimal, as seen in the line, "Our nation is more deeply divided than we thought," which underscores her ideologies and power throughout the address.
The situational context significantly influences the selection of personal pronouns by the speaker Hillary Clinton was fully cognizant of the answers to the critical questions of who is involved and the role of language before deciding on her choice of pronouns.
Hillary Clinton strategically used the inclusive pronoun ‘we’ to connect with the American people, positioning herself as one of them and fostering a sense of camaraderie, especially after her election loss This approach, combined with her careful delineation of in-groups and out-groups and her thoughtful choice of positive and negative language, helped her appear more relatable and approachable to her audience.
Explanation
Fairclough (2001) emphasizes that the goal of explanation in discourse analysis is to illustrate how discourse functions within a social process, revealing its dependence on social structures and the cumulative reproductive effects it can have on them He argues that social structures influence mediated representations (MR), which subsequently shape discourses; in turn, these discourses can either reinforce or alter MR, ultimately impacting the social structures themselves.
Hillary Clinton's speech following her election defeat serves as a significant moment in American history, highlighting her status as the first woman to secure a major party's presidential nomination Despite losing to Donald Trump, who notably lacked prior political experience, Clinton's address reflects her strength and resilience She expressed gratitude to her supporters, including political leaders and family, emphasizing her commitment to the American public and her focus on key political, economic, and social issues Clinton's positive portrayal of herself, marked by confidence and a sense of solidarity, underscores her desire to unite the nation and maintain her influence in the political landscape.
Hillary Clinton's speech served to enhance her public image, showcasing her as a powerful woman embodying optimism, friendliness, patriotism, and inspiration Despite not winning, she emerged as a role model for American women, encouraging them to advocate for their rights Her success as a politician was complemented by her bravery and strength, and the speech amplified her persuasive power, effectively disseminating her message globally.
In this case, the saying ‘failure doesn’t mean that you don’t have abilities but simply that you haven’t had success”, to some extent, is true After Hillary
In her poignant post-election speech on November 9, 2016, Hillary Clinton united Americans by transforming her opponents and voters into allies, fostering a sense of solidarity She passionately advocated for women's rights in politics, carefully choosing words to express gratitude to her supporters As a former First Lady, Senator, and Secretary of State, Clinton's address resonated deeply, emphasizing the importance of participation in democracy regardless of age or religion Despite her electoral defeat, she focused on the future, acknowledging Donald Trump's presidency while expressing hope for a strong America Her message underscored the power of unity and respect for diverse opinions, encouraging citizens to work together for a better nation Ultimately, her speech served not only as a reflection on her journey but also as an inspiring call for women worldwide to pursue their political aspirations, reinforcing her enduring influence in American politics.
Despite her electoral defeat, Hillary Clinton remains a formidable figure, consistently advocating for the people of her country Her resilience in overcoming setbacks highlights her strength as a political leader Through her speeches, she not only reinforces her persuasive abilities but also inspires Americans and women globally, embodying the adage that "failure is the mother of success."
It is said that the use of voice also contributes to the expression of the speaker’s ideology and power when delivering the speech.
In her speech, Hillary Clinton employed predominantly active sentences, which enhanced her strength and decisiveness The limited use of passive structures was strategically aimed at fostering a sense of solidarity and empowerment among the audience This approach not only aimed to positively influence societal perceptions but also highlighted the connection between overcoming failure and achieving future success, reinforcing her reputation in the political arena.
Hillary Clinton's strategic use of pronouns in her post-election speech served to enhance her supporters' sense of involvement and importance By initially focusing on the personal pronoun "I," she directed attention to herself, while the repeated use of "we" and "our" fostered a sense of unity and collaboration, avoiding a dictatorial tone According to Peker (2006), the term "our" blurred individual desires, reflecting a collective sentiment Following her 2016 presidential election defeat, Hillary expressed shared feelings with her audience, effectively using these verbal techniques to create a persuasive narrative This approach not only reinforced her positive image as a politician committed to advancing her causes and values but also clarified her power and ideologies.
Chapter summary
This section conducts a critical discourse analysis of Hillary Clinton's speech to uncover the power dynamics and ideologies present within it Utilizing Fairclough's (2001) three-stage framework—description, interpretation, and explanation—key lexical items and grammatical features are meticulously examined Clinton portrays herself through four key aspects of power and ideology: optimism, friendliness, patriotism, and inspiration.
The speaker effectively conveys her power and ideologies through a careful selection of vocabulary, utilizing positive words, synonyms, antonyms, and metaphors Additionally, she adeptly employs connective phrases throughout the text to enhance the expression of her ideas and authority.
The analysis highlights the frequent use of pronouns like "We" and "I" in Hillary Clinton's speech, contributing to a personal connection with the audience Her use of active-voice sentences enhances the strength and decisiveness of her message Additionally, the predominance of declarative sentences over imperative ones aligns well with the formal tone and overarching theme of the speech.