The meaning and structure of the inaugural address by john f kennedy in 1961 a systemic functional analysis

VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY, HANOI UNIVERSITY OF LANGUAGES AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES FACULTY OF POST - GRADUATE STUDIES ************ NGUYỄN THỊ KIM OANH THE MEANING AND STRUCTURE OF THE INAUGURAL ADDRESS BY JOHN F KENNEDY IN 1961: A SYSTEMIC FUNCTIONAL ANALYSIS CẤU TRÚC VÀ NGỮ NGHĨA BÀI DIỄN VĂN NHẬM CHỨC CỦA JOHN F KENNEDY NĂM 1961: PHÂN TÍCH THEO QUAN ĐIỂM CHỨC NĂNG HỆ THỐNG M.A MINOR PROGRAMME THESIS Field: English Linguistics Code: 60220201 Hanoi - 2014 VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY, HANOI UNIVERSITY OF LANGUAGES AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES FACULTY OF POST - GRADUATE STUDIES ************ NGUYỄN THỊ KIM OANH THE MEANING AND STRUCTURE OF THE INAUGURAL ADDRESS BY JOHN F KENNEDY IN 1961: A SYSTEMIC FUNCTIONAL ANALYSIS CẤU TRÚC VÀ NGỮ NGHĨA BÀI DIỄN VĂN NHẬM CHỨC CỦA JOHN F KENNEDY NĂM 1961: PHÂN TÍCH THEO QUAN ĐIỂM CHỨC NĂNG HỆ THỐNG M.A MINOR PROGRAMME THESIS Field: English Linguistics Code: 60220201 Supervisor: Prof Dr Hoàng Văn Vân Hanoi -2014 DECLARATION I declare that the thesis entitled ―The meaning and structure of the inaugural address by John F Kennedy in 1961: A systemic functional analysis‖ reports the results of the study conducted by myself in fulfillment of the requirements of the degree Master of Arts It has not been submitted for any other degree at any other institution Hanoi, January 2014 Nguyen Thi Kim Oanh i ACKNOWLEGEMENTS I would like to express my deep gratitude to my supervisor, Prof Dr Hoàng Văn Vân for his untiring and practical assistance throughout the process of my writing Without his responsible help and enthusiastic guidance, I would not have been able to complete this thesis I greatly wish to acknowledge my thanks to my classmates at the University of Languages and International Studies for their informative and constructive comments on my study Had it not been for their suggestions, this thesis could not have been fully completed Finally, my big thanks go to my beloved husband for his constant support and unconditional care while I was writing this thesis Hanoi, January 2014 Nguyễn Thị Kim Oanh ii ABSTRACT This study applies systemic functional grammar in order to investigate the meaning and structure of the inaugural address by John F Kennedy in 1961 Based on the framework of systemic functional grammar developed by Halliday, the study focuses on analyzing the text in terms of language functions (three metafunctions) and cohesion (grammatical and lexical cohesion) The findings reveal that in terms of transitivity, material process is predominant; in terms of mood, declarative mood is in the largest use; and in terms of theme, topical theme which forms unmarked one is the most notable feature in the whole text Besides, grammatical cohesion presented by reference, conjunctive devices and structural parallelism and lexical cohesion illustrated through repetition, synonymy, and antonymy make a great contribution to the cohesion and coherence of the text Undeniably, the analysis proves that this text is really meaningful, concise, and highly cohesive with the diversified uses of lexis and structures and so systemic functional grammar is an effective tool for analyzing the structure and meaning of a particular text iii TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ii ABSTRACT iii TABLE OF CONTENTS iv LIST OF TABLES vi LIST OF NOTATIONAL CONVENTIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS vi PART A: INTRODUCTION 1 Rationale of the study Aim of the study Scope of the study Methodology of the study Data collection Design of the study PART B: DEVELOPMENT CHAPTER 1: THEORETICAL BACKGROUND 1.1 Form and meaning 1.2 Model of Context in systemic functional linguistics 1.3 Clause and Clause complex 1.3.1 Clause simplex and Clause complex 1.3.2 Clause combination 1.3.2.1 Interdependency 1.3.2.2 Logico – semantic relation 1.4 Metafunctions 1.4.1 Ideational metafunction 1.4.1.1 Process types and participants 1.4.1.2 Circumstances 12 1.4.2 Interpersonal metafunction 13 1.4.2.1 Mood 14 1.4.2.2 Residue 14 iv 1.4.3 Textual metafuntion: theme and rheme identification 15 1.5 Cohesion 16 1.5.1 The concept of cohesion 16 1.5.2 Types of cohesion 16 1.5.2.1 Grammatical cohesion 16 1.5.2.2 Lexical cohesion 21 1.6 Summary 22 CHAPTER 2: THE MEANING AND STRUCTURE OF THE INAUGURAL ADDRESS BY JOHN F KENNEDY IN 1961 24 2.1 Introduction 24 2.2 The context of the chosen text 24 2.3 Contextual configuration of the text 25 2.4 Clause and clause complex analysis 27 2.5 The analysis of the text in terms of Transitivity, Mood and Theme 28 2.5.1 The Transitivity pattern of the text 28 2.5.2 The Mood pattern of the text 30 2.5.3 The Thematic pattern of the text 32 2.6 The Cohesion of the text 33 2.6.1 Grammatical cohesion 33 2.6.2 Lexical cohesion 35 PART C: CONCLUSION 39 Recapitulation 39 Implications of the study 40 Suggestions for further study 41 REFERENCES 42 APPENDIX I v LIST OF TABLES Table 2.1: The principal types of relational process 11 Table 2.2: Circumstantial elements 13 LIST OF NOTATIONAL CONVENTIONS ||| Clause complex boundary || Clause boundary 1.1 1.2 1.3 … Paratactic relation α β …Hypotactic relation = Elaboration + x Enhancement Anaphoric reference Cataphoric reference Exophoric reference Extension LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS Act Actor R: C Comparative reference ANT Antonym R: D Demonstrative reference Attr Attribute Re Relational Car Carrier REP Repetition Cir Circumstance R: P Personal reference Compl Complement SFG Systemic functional grammar Fin Finite Sen Senser Mat Material Subj Subject Men Mental SYN Synonym Phenom Phenomenon Verb Verbal Pred Predicator vi PART A INTRODUCTION Rationale of the study The long history of linguistics has witnessed the development of various approaches to grammar study, among which systemic functional grammar (SFG) emerged as ―an effective tool of analysis, which solves the issues left out by traditional grammar‖ since it helps understand human language more deeply Of the linguists investigating this approach, Halliday is the eminent one to suggest the most practical approach to the grammatical construction be meaning–centered as he considers language a ―system of meanings‖ From this view, functional grammar emphasizes how linguistic structures express meaning and view language as a communicative resource, not just as isolated grammatical rules However, the process of teaching and learning the language sometimes, in fact, seems to make a clear distinction between grammar and other linguistic areas, so the communicative language acquisition is not really completed As a teacher of English for a number of grammar classes, I am deeply interested in improving the language proficiency along with the structure accuracy for my students That is the reason why I have developed a great attention to SFG and my absorption in it helps strengthen my notion of its applications in language teaching and learning In this study, the analysis of structure and meaning of the inaugural address by John F Kennedy in 1961 is conducted This political text is chosen to investigate due to the fact that it has been considered one of the best speeches of 20th century worldwide It may provide a rich context of language for applying SFG to analyze Aim of the study The main aim of the thesis is to analyse the inaugural address by John F Kennedy in 1961 in terms of transitivity, mood, theme, and cohesion using systemic functional grammar as the theoretical framework To realize this aim, the research question is as follows:  How is the inaugural address by John F Kennedy in 1961 organized in terms of transitivity, mood, theme, and cohesion? Scope of the study Within the scope of a minor thesis, it is impossible to analyze the text in all aspects as developed by systemic functional grammar framework Therefore, the thesis will focus on re-examining the theoretical concepts relevant to the study and will use them to analyze the meaning and structure of the inaugural address by John F Kennedy Methodology of the study Description and analysis are two main methods to analyze the meaning and structure of the speech The former deals with the illustration of the crucial areas of functional grammar and the latter is concerned with the analysis of the text for discussion Data Collection The inaugural address by John F Kennedy in 1961 is retrieved from the official and popular website http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu Design of the study There are three main parts in this thesis as follows:  Part A: Introduction - gives an overview of the rationale, aims, scope, methodology and design of the study  Part B: Development - Chapter 1: Theoretical Background – provides an overview of systemic functional grammar in which crucial concepts relevant to the study are examined - Chapter 2: The analysis of the inaugural address by John F Kennedy in 1961 – focuses on analysing its meaning and structure, based on the framework provided in chapter …reward (118) ellipsis (119) Ellipsis (120) but Ellipsis (121) that here XXXIX Marked APPENDIX REFERENCE IN THE TEXT Vice President Johnson, Mr Speaker, Mr Chief Justice, President Eisenhower, Vice president Nixon, President Truman, Reverend Clergy, fellow citizens: We observe today not a victory of party but a celebration of freedom symbolizing an R: P end as well as a beginning signifying renewal as well as change For I have sworn R: P before you and Almighty God the same solemn oath our forebears prescribed nearly a R: P R: C R: P century and three quarters ago The world is very different now For man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish R: D R: P R: D all forms of human poverty and all forms of human life And yet the same revolutionary R: C beliefs for which our forebears fought are still at issue around the globe-the belief that R: P R: D the rights of man come not from the generosity of the state but from the hand of God R: D R: D R: D R: D We dare not forget today that we are the heirs of that first revolution Let the word go R: P R: P R: D R: D R: D forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a R: D R: D new generation of Americans born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a R: D hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage and unwilling to witness or permit R: P the slow undoing of those human rights to which this nation has always been committed, R: D R: D R: D XL and to which we are committed today at home and around the world R: P R: D Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear R: P R: P R: P any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival R: D and the success of liberty R: D This much we pledge and more R: D R: P R: C To those old allies whose cultural and spiritual origins we share, we pledge the loyalty of R: D R: P R: P R: D faithful friends United, there is little we cannot in a host of cooperative ventures R: P Divided, there is little we can for we dare not meet a powerful challenge at odds and R: P R: P split asunder To those new states whom we welcome to the ranks of the free, we pledge our word that R: D R: P R: D R: D R: P R: P one form of colonial control shall not have passed away merely to be replaced by a far more iron tyranny We shall not always expect to find them supporting our view But we R: P R: P R: P R: P shall always hope to find them strongly supporting their own freedom-and to remember R: P R: P that, in the past, those who foolishly sought power by riding the back of the tiger ended R: D R: D R: D R: D up inside To those peoples in the huts and villages of half the globe struggling to break the bonds R: D R: D R: D XLI R: D of mass misery, we pledge our best efforts to help them help themselves, for whatever R: P R: P R: P R: P period is required not because the communists may be doing it, not because we seek R: D R: P their votes, but because it is right If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it R: P R: D cannot save the few who are rich R: D To our sister republics south of our border, we offer a special pledge to convert our R: P R: P R: P R: P good words into good deeds in a new alliance for progress to assist free men and free governments in casting off the chains of poverty But this peaceful revolution of hope R: D R: D cannot become the prey of hostile powers Let all our neighbors know that we shall join R: D R: P R: P with them to oppose aggression or subversion anywhere in the Americas And let every R: P R: D other power know that this Hemisphere intends to remain the master of its own house R: D R: D R: P To that world assembly of sovereign states, the United Nations, our last best hope in an R: D R: D R: P age where the instruments of war have far outpaced the instruments of peace, we renew R: D R: D R: P our pledge of support to prevent it from becoming merely a forum for invective—to R: P R: P strengthen its shield of the new and the weak and to enlarge the area in which its writ R: P R: D R: D R: D R: P may run Finally, to those nations who would make themselves our adversary, we offer not a R: D R: P XLII R: P R: P pledge but a request: that both sides begin anew the quest for peace, before the dark R: D R: D powers of destruction unleashed by science engulf all humanity in planned or accidental self-destruction We dare not tempt them with weakness For only when our arms are sufficient beyond R: P R: P R: P doubt can we be certain beyond doubt that they will never be employed R: P R: P But neither can two great and powerful groups of nations take comfort from our present R: P course both sides overburdened by the cost of modern weapons, both rightly alarmed by R: D the steady spread of the deadly atom, yet both racing to alter that uncertain balance of R: D R: D R: D terror that stays the hand of mankind's final war R: D So let us begin anew remembering on both sides that civility is not a sign of weakness, R: P and sincerity is always subject to proof Let us never negotiate out of fear But let us R: P R: P never fear to negotiate Let both sides explore what problems unite us instead of belaboring those problems R: P R: D which divide us R: P Let both sides, for the first time, formulate serious and precise proposals for the R: D R: D inspection and control of arms and bring the absolute power to destroy other nations R: D XLIII under the absolute control of all nations R: D Let both sides seek to invoke the wonders of science instead of its terrors Together let us R: D R: D R: P explore the stars, conquer the deserts, eradicate disease, tap the ocean depths and R: D R: D R: D encourage the arts and commerce R: D Let both sides unite to heed in all corners of the earth the command of Isaiah to "undo R: D R: D the heavy burdens (and) let the oppressed go free." R: D R: D And if a beach-head of cooperation may push back the jungle of suspicion, let both sides R: D join in creating a new endeavor, not a new balance of power, but a new world of law, where the strong are just and the weak secure and the peace preserved R: D R: D R: D All this will not be finished in the first one hundred days Nor will it be finished in the R: D R: D R: P R: D first one thousand days, nor in the life of this Administration, nor even perhaps in our R: D R: D R: P lifetime on this planet But let us begin R: D R: P In your hands, my fellow citizens, more than mine, will rest the final success or failure R: P R: P R: P R: D of our course Since this country was founded, each generation of Americans has been R: P R: D summoned to give testimony to its national loyalty The graves of young Americans who R: P R: D answered the call to service surround the globe R: D R: D XLIV Now the trumpet summons us again-not as a call to bear arms, though arms we need not R: D R: P R: P as a call to battle, though embattled we are but a call to bear the burden of a long R: P R: D twilight struggle, year in and year out, "rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation" a struggle against the common enemies of man: tyranny, poverty, disease and war itself R: D R: P Can we forge against these enemies a grand and global alliance, North and South, East R: P R: D and West, that can assure a more fruitful life for all mankind? Will you join in that R: P R: D historic effort? In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of R: D R: D R: D defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger I not shrink from this R: P R: P R: D responsibility I welcome it I not believe that any of us would exchange places with R: P R: P R: P any other people or any other generation The energy, the faith, the devotion which we R: C R: C R: D R: D R: D R: P bring to this endeavor will light our country and all who serve it and the glow from that R: D R: P R: D R: D fire can truly light the world R: D And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can for you ask what you R: P R: P R: P R: P can for your country R: P My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will for you, but what together R: P R: D R: P XLV we can for the freedom of man R: P R: D Finally, whether you are citizens of America or citizens of the world, ask of us here R: P R: D R: P the same high standards of strength and sacrifice which we ask of you With a good R: C R: P R: P conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go R: P R: D R: P R: P forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here R: D R: P on earth God's work must truly be our own XLVI R: P APPENDIX LEXICAL RELATIONS OF THE TEXT Vice President Johnson, Mr Speaker, Mr Chief Justice, President Eisenhower, Vice president Nixon, President Truman, Reverend Clergy, fellow citizens: We observe today not a victory of party but a celebration of freedom symbolizing an end as well as a beginning signifying renewal as well as change For I have sworn ANT SYN SYN before you and Almighty God the same solemn oath our forebears prescribed nearly a century and three quarters ago The world is very different now For man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of human poverty and all forms of human life.And yet the same revolutionary SYN REP beliefs for which our forebears fought are still at issue around the globe-the belief that REP REP REP the rights of man come not from the generosity of the state but from the hand of God REP REP We dare not forget today that we are the heirs of that first revolution Let the word go REP REP REP forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a ANT new generation of Americans born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage and unwilling to witness or permit ANT the slow undoing of those human rights to which this nation has always been REP SYN XLVII committed, and to which we are committed today at home and around the world REP REP/ SYN Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear REP ANT any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the REP REP ANT REP survival and the success of liberty SYN This much we pledge and more To those old allies whose cultural and spiritual origins we share, we pledge the loyalty of REP faithful friends United, there is little we cannot in a host of cooperative ventures REP ANT Divided, there is little we can for we dare not meet a powerful challenge at odds and ANT REP REP REP SYN split asunder To those new states whom we welcome to the ranks of the free, we pledge our word ANT REP REP REP REP that one form of colonial control shall not have passed away merely to be replaced by a far more iron tyranny We shall not always expect to find them supporting our view REP But we shall always hope to find them strongly supporting their own freedom-and to REP REP REP REP remember that, in the past, those who foolishly sought power by riding the back of the ANT SYN/ REP tiger ended up inside REP To those peoples in the huts and villages of half the globe struggling to break the bonds REP XLVIII of mass misery, we pledge our best efforts to help them help themselves, for whatever REP REP period is required not because the communists may be doing it, not because we seek REP REP REP their votes, but because it is right If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, REP REP REP REP it cannot save the few who are rich ANT REP ANT To our sister republics south of our border, we offer a special pledge to convert our REP good words into good deeds in a new alliance for progress to assist free men and free REP REP REP REP governments in casting off the chains of poverty But this peaceful revolution of hope SYN REP REP REP cannot become the prey of hostile powers Let all our neighbors know that we shall join REP REP with them to oppose aggression or subversion anywhere in the Americas And let every REP REP other power know that this Hemisphere intends to remain the master of its own house REP To that world assembly of sovereign states, the United Nations, our last best hope in an REP REP REP age where the instruments of war have far outpaced the instruments of peace, we renew REP REP our pledge of support to prevent it from becoming merely a forum for invective to REP REP strengthen its shield of the new and the weak and to enlarge the area in which its writ REP may run Finally, to those nations who would make themselves our adversary, we offer not a REP SYN XLIX REP pledge but a request: that both sides begin anew the quest for peace, before the dark REP REP REP powers of destruction unleashed by science engulf all humanity in planned or REP REP accidental self-destruction ANT We dare not tempt them with weakness For only when our arms are sufficient beyond REP REP doubt can we be certain beyond doubt that they will never be employed ANT REP REP REP But neither can two great and powerful groups of nations take comfort from our present REP ANT course both sides overburdened by the cost of modern weapons, both rightly alarmed REP SYN by the steady spread of the deadly atom, yet both racing to alter that uncertain balance SYN ANT of terror that stays the hand of mankind's final war REP SYN REP So let us begin anew remembering on both sides that civility is not a sign of REP REP REP REP REP REP weakness, and sincerity is always subject to proof Let us never negotiate out of fear REP REP REP REP But let us never fear to negotiate REP REP REP REP Let both sides explore what problems unite us instead of belaboring those problems REP REP REP which divide us ANT/ REP Let both sides, for the first time, formulate serious and precise proposals for the REP inspection and control of arms and bring the absolute power to destroy other nations REP REP L REP REP under the absolute control of all nations REP REP REP Let both sides seek to invoke the wonders of science instead of its terrors Together let REP REP REP REP REP us explore the stars, conquer the deserts, eradicate disease, tap the ocean depths and REP encourage the arts and commerce Let both sides unite to heed in all corners of the earth the command of Isaiah to "undo REP REP SYN the heavy burdens (and) let the oppressed go free." REP REP And if a beach-head of cooperation may push back the jungle of suspicion, let both REP REP sides join in creating a new endeavor, not a new balance of power, but a new world of REP REP REP SYN REP REP REP REP law, where the strong are just and the weak secure and the peace preserved REP REP ANT/ REP REP All this will not be finished in the first one hundred days Nor will it be finished in the REP REP REP first one thousand days, nor in the life of this Administration, nor even perhaps in our SYN lifetime on this planet But let us begin REP REP In your hands, my fellow citizens, more than mine, will rest the final success or failure REP REP ANT ANT of our course Since this country was founded, each generation of Americans has been SYN REP REP summoned to give testimony to its national loyalty The graves of young Americans REP REP who answered the call to service surround the globe REP LI Now the trumpet summons us again-not as a call to bear arms, though arms we need— REP REP REP REP REP not as a call to battle, though embattled we are but a call to bear the burden of a long REP REP REP REP REP twilight struggle, year in and year out, "rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation" a SYN REP struggle against the common enemies of man: tyranny, poverty, disease and war itself REP Can we forge against these enemies a grand and global alliance, North and South, East REP REP ANT and West, that can assure a more fruitful life for all mankind? Will you join in that ANT REP REP historic effort? SYN/ REP In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of REP REP REP REP defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger I not shrink from this REP responsibility I welcome it I not believe that any of us would exchange places with ANT/ REP REP any other people or any other generation The energy, the faith, the devotion which we REP SYN SYN bring to this endeavor will light our country and all who serve it and the glow from SYN/ REP REP that fire can truly light the world REP And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can for you ask what you REP REP can for your country REP REP LII REP REP My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will for you, but what REP REP REP REP REP together we can for the freedom of man REP REP REP Finally, whether you are citizens of America or citizens of the world, ask of us here the REP REP REP REP REP REP same high standards of strength and sacrifice which we ask of you With a good ANT/ REP REP REP conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth REP REP REP to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on REP REP earth God's work must truly be our own REP REP REP LIII ... on the meaning and structure of the inaugural address by John F Kennedy in 1961 using systemic functional grammar as the theoretical framework In part A, the topic, the aim, the scope, and the. .. helps strengthen my notion of its applications in language teaching and learning In this study, the analysis of structure and meaning of the inaugural address by John F Kennedy in 1961 is conducted... Oanh ii ABSTRACT This study applies systemic functional grammar in order to investigate the meaning and structure of the inaugural address by John F Kennedy in 1961 Based on the framework of systemic