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, allowing humans to express themselves and connect with others It is not only a means of interaction but also a reflection of our perceptions and understanding of the world Additionally, language embodies personal representation in social contexts, as it is utilized to achieve specific objectives and create distinct discourses Therefore, any comprehensive study of language must emphasize its practical application in everyday use.
‘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) emphasizes that language is shaped by social factors, while Wareing (2004) highlights its affective function, indicating that language use is closely linked to power dynamics and social status Consequently, the selection of language is influenced by the identities of the speakers and listeners, as well as the context of the interaction.
Language plays a crucial role in politics, often serving as a tool for politicians to achieve their objectives Chilton and Schaffner (1997) emphasize that politics cannot exist without language, suggesting that the use of language is fundamental to the formation of social groups and the broader concept of politics Pelinka (2007) further argues that the study of language transcends literature and linguistics, highlighting its significance in various fields, including political discourse.
Language should be understood and examined as a political phenomenon, while politics itself should be viewed and analyzed as a discursive phenomenon This highlights the strong connection between language and political dynamics, emphasizing their interdependence in shaping societal discourse.
1 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) examines the complex relationships between language, society, and culture, highlighting often hidden connections According to Van Dijk (1993), analyzing the style and rhetoric of texts is essential for understanding social power dynamics CDA delves into the intricate ties between texts, their production processes, and the broader social context, revealing how language interacts with power and ideology.
Hillary Clinton, a prominent figure in American politics, served as Secretary of State under President Obama and was a Senator from New York As a former First Lady, lawyer, activist, and volunteer, she has consistently advocated for social justice, earning widespread admiration and support Her unwavering dedication and positive spirit have significantly shaped national politics and advanced the progressive movement for women Among her many speeches, her concession speech following the 2016 Presidential Campaign stands out, leaving a lasting 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 forms the basis of the researcher’s MA thesis, highlighting the significance of her words and their broader implications.
Aims of the study
This study explores the connection between discourse, ideology, and power in Hillary Clinton's 2016 concession speech It specifically aims to analyze how these elements interact and influence each other within the context of her address.
+ 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 verbal and nonverbal forms, with crucial elements such as paralinguistics and extra-linguistics playing significant roles in conveying a speaker's ideology, power, and identity This study focuses specifically on the vocal aspects of Hillary Clinton's speech delivered in 2016, following her presidential election defeat, while acknowledging the importance of the social contexts in which the speech occurred Despite her extensive history of public speaking, this analysis is limited to this particular instance to explore its implications.
This research is conducted solely for academic purposes, and the author does not aim to convey any personal political opinions Furthermore, the study does not endorse any political parties or seek to influence individuals' political beliefs.
This study utilizes Fairclough’s (2001) Critical Discourse Analysis framework, emphasizing vocabulary and grammar to explore how power and ideologies manifest in Hillary Clinton’s speech While acknowledging that power and ideologies can be subtly embedded in language, the research concentrates solely on verbal cues.
Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) has gained significant attention globally, including in Vietnam, over recent decades However, research on CDA by Vietnamese scholars remains scarce This study aims to contribute to the understanding of CDA as a linguistic approach, enhancing awareness of how power and ideology are reflected 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, particularly due to their difficulty in interpreting implicit ideologies The findings are anticipated to benefit foreign language teachers and translators by providing insights into the linguistic realization of power and ideologies, ultimately improving comprehension and teaching strategies.
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 the interconnectedness of description, interpretation, and explanation throughout the process This approach examines three key aspects—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 a combination of descriptive qualitative content analysis and quantitative methods to analyze text data effectively As noted by Hsieh and Shannon (2005), qualitative analysis allows for subjective interpretation through systematic coding and pattern identification Additionally, quantitative methods will assess word frequency and grammatical patterns, enhancing the overall analysis This integrated approach 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 subsequent phase involves analyzing the situational context to interpret the propositions and coherence within Hillary Clinton's speech In the concluding stage, the text is examined as a component of social practice, analyzed at both situational and societal levels This analysis will uncover the ideologies and power dynamics embedded in Hillary Clinton's speech.
The study is attached to the CDA approach and is carried out following some basic stages.
The initial step involves performing a literature review that provides a theoretical foundation and comprehension of issues related to the research topic, while also examining prior studies to identify the scientific gap pertinent 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 description of the linguistic elements employed in her address.
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, as well as examining how the discourse influences its context and how the context, in turn, affects the discourse.
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 attention globally and in Vietnam over recent decades; however, research on CDA by Vietnamese scholars is still limited This study aims to contribute to the understanding of CDA as a linguistic approach, highlighting the ways in which power and ideology are reflected in language Additionally, it seeks to raise awareness of 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, particularly in interpreting implicit ideologies The findings are anticipated to benefit foreign language teachers and translators by providing insights into how power and ideologies are expressed linguistically, ultimately improving comprehension and teaching strategies.
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 demonstrates the interconnectedness of description, interpretation, and explanation throughout the analysis This approach focuses on three key aspects—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 endorsed by Hsieh and Shannon (2005), to interpret text data subjectively through systematic coding and pattern identification Additionally, quantitative methods will be applied to analyze word frequency and grammatical patterns, enhancing the research's insights The integration of both qualitative and quantitative approaches is expected to effectively achieve the research objectives.
In the initial stage of description, various methods are employed to analyze the speech's lexicalization, grammar, and macrostructure This stage emphasizes the examination of lexical choices, the use of voice, and personal nouns, while also considering the overall macrostructure of the text.
The subsequent phase involves analyzing the situational context to interpret the propositions and coherence within Hillary Clinton's speech In the final stage, the text will be examined as a component of social practice, addressing both situational and societal dimensions This analysis will uncover the ideologies and power dynamics present in Hillary Clinton's speech.
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, which provides the theoretical foundation necessary for understanding the research topic This review includes an examination of prior studies to identify scientific gaps that the thesis aims to address.
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 its linguistic elements.
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 practices, as well as examining how the discourse influences its context and is influenced by it in return.
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) does not adhere to a single theory or methodology; instead, it encompasses a diverse range of approaches that stem from various theoretical backgrounds and utilize different data and methodologies This diversity highlights the multitude of ways in which CDA research can be conducted In this section, we will introduce the three most significant 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 embedded in its social context, rather than merely an isolated textual or dialogic structure His discourse analysis theory emphasizes the importance of both structural analysis—encompassing grammatical, phonological, morphological, and semantic levels—and higher-level properties, which include coherence, themes, topics, and the overall schematic forms 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 between 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, alongside techniques such as positive self-presentation and negative other-presentation, to shape ideological narratives.
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 is distinguished by its use of background information to uncover various interpretations of spoken or written texts, highlighting that readers and listeners may derive different meanings based on their prior knowledge and the information presented Wodak (2002) asserts that this method operates interdisciplinarily and employs multiple methodologies, drawing from diverse empirical data and contextual information The framework of this approach is structured around four levels of contact (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 a foundational theoretical framework that guides subsequent research in the field His model is considered central to CDA, shaping the methodologies and approaches used by scholars in their analyses.
Fairclough's approach, rooted in Systemic Functional Grammar (SFG), offers a fresh perspective on language as a socially constructed entity Building on Michael Halliday's Systemic Functional Linguistics from 1978, which emphasizes the analysis of texture and text organization, Fairclough diverges from Halliday's original theory of social semiotics by highlighting the importance of inter-textual analysis in connecting texts with their contexts.
Fairclough’s CDA model has three categories which he labeled as ‘dimensions’ including:
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)
Fairclough's three-dimensional model allows for the analysis of discourse at various levels: word level in dimension 1, text level in dimension 2, and norm level in dimension 3 This approach parallels Van Dijk’s three dimensions of ideology analysis, with a key distinction in the function of the second dimension While Van Dijk sees his second dimension as a mediator between discourse and society, Fairclough attributes this role to discourse practices 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 through social interactions, highlighting the necessity of interpretation to analyze discourse processes and their reliance on contextual assumptions Figure 3 provides examples of these interpretative procedures.
The third stage of discourse analysis focuses on understanding discourse within the context of social processes, examining how social structures influence discourse and vice versa This relationship is mediated by members’ resources (MR), which encompass background knowledge, values, beliefs, and assumptions, as well as interpretative procedures as defined by Fairclough The key steps of 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 research in Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) by proposing a list of ten key questions, categorized into three main groups: vocabulary, grammar, and textual structures, along with relevant sub-questions While these questions are generally applicable to discourse analysis, this study focuses on selecting only the most pertinent questions based on the specific discourse used as data.
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's and Wodak's frameworks can inspire various research ideas, they lack the specificity and clarity found in Fairclough's model Fairclough provides clear steps and numerous guiding questions, enabling researchers to analyze data from multiple perspectives Furthermore, this approach emphasizes the interplay between texts, social contexts, and social factors such as power and ideology As this framework has been selected for the current study, it 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 influences perceptions of truth and falsehood This impact shapes individuals' behaviors, guiding them to act in ways that align with the norms and expectations of their social environment.
According to Van Dijk (2000), ideologies are defined as a system of beliefs that encompass social, political, or religious ideas shared by a group or movement, as originally noted by Destutt de Tracy This concept positions ideology as a "science of ideas," akin to psychology or cognitive science, focusing on how communities think, speak, and argue Van Dijk emphasizes that ideologies are collective beliefs that motivate and influence communities, highlighting that they are not individual but rather shared convictions that shape societal dynamics Ultimately, ideologies represent the fundamental beliefs that bind group members together.
Fairclough (1996/2002) defines "ideology" as the underlying assumptions embedded in practices, particularly within Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), that perpetuate relations of domination, often in subtle or covert manners.
CDA must acknowledge its own ideological bias, as it operates within a landscape of competing ideologies, with one often dominating and influencing society at large Thompson (1990) defines ideology as the social norms and processes that facilitate the circulation of symbolic forms, playing a crucial role in establishing and perpetuating unequal power relations Recognizing this partiality is essential for a comprehensive understanding of how ideologies shape social dynamics.
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 Similarly, Fairclough and Wodak (1996) emphasize that discourse plays a crucial role in shaping ideologies, which are often based on misleading or unfounded perceptions of society Consequently, it is widely recognized that ideologies are intricately linked to language, making it a powerful medium for disseminating ideas and influencing social behavior, particularly when individuals overlook commonly accepted assumptions.
Power relations refer to the dynamics between different groups that shape underlying ideologies This complex and abstract concept plays a crucial role in our lives, as power is fundamentally defined as the capacity of one party to compel compliance or obedience from others.
In 2004, it was defined that power is exercised by individuals in more dominant positions through the use of language, which serves as a medium for this expression Language not only reflects societal perceptions but also acts as a manifestation of power dynamics among individuals (Blaska, 1991).
Fowler (1985) and van Dijk (1996) define power as a relational concept characterized by asymmetry and control, where language plays a crucial role in reinforcing this dynamic According to Fowler, power represents the ability of individuals and institutions to influence the behavior and material conditions of others, often manifesting in relationships such as those between parents and children or employers and employees He argues that language serves as a tool for establishing and maintaining authority, shaping social roles and statuses that enable the exercise of power Similarly, van Dijk emphasizes that social power involves one group exerting control over another, highlighting the importance of power in understanding societal group relations.
Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) aims to reveal and comprehend the dynamics of power within society by scrutinizing language, which is intrinsically linked to social power Power is considered a crucial element of CDA, as language derives its influence from the strategic use of potent words Consequently, CDA often adopts the viewpoint of marginalized individuals and critically evaluates the language employed by those in positions of authority.
This article explores the concept of power as the capacity of dominant individuals or groups to instill their social and political ideologies through discourse, aligning with Fairclough's notion of 'ideological power'—the ability to present one's ideologies as universal truths The analysis focuses on two key aspects of power: authority and source, examining how these elements influence the dissemination of ideologies in various texts.
Power can be categorized based on the resources used to exert it, such as the military's coercive force, the financial influence of the wealthy, or the persuasive authority of educators and journalists grounded in knowledge It is important to recognize that power is rarely absolute; control often varies by context, as seen when a doctor has authority only within a hospital or a teacher only in a classroom Additionally, those in subordinate positions may respond to power in diverse ways, including resistance, acceptance, compliance, or even viewing it as a natural aspect of their circumstances.
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 The research is grounded in three meta-functions: ideational, interpersonal, and textual, which together reveal the intricate relationship between language, ideology, and power Wang's findings highlight how Obama effectively employed 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 focused on the American political discourse within the interview genre, specifically analyzing several television interviews featuring former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Utilizing a critical discourse analysis perspective, the research integrates concepts from genre theory, systemic functional grammar, and critical discourse analysis to uncover underlying meanings in 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 and assertive leader committed to advocating for the rights of all Americans, regardless of their creed, sect, religion, gender, or nationality.
Numerous studies in Vietnam have explored critical discourse analysis (CDA) in political speech, such as Nguyễn Diệu Hằng's 2014 analysis of President Barack Obama’s speech at Nelson Mandela’s memorial This research applies CDA to examine the linguistic features, including both lexical and grammatical elements, while also considering the situational and intertextual contexts Utilizing Fairclough’s framework, the study delves into the interplay between discourse processes and social dynamics, highlighting the significance of language in political communication.
Chapter summary
This chapter outlines the theoretical framework foundational to this study, covering the history and definitions of Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), along with three main 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 (2001) framework is chosen as the most suitable method to address the research questions The chapter also reviews relevant previous studies to identify existing gaps in the literature Notably, while politicians' speeches, particularly those of Hillary Clinton, have garnered significant attention from critical discourse analysts globally, there has been no prior research in Vietnam focusing specifically on Clinton’s 2016 concession speech.
POWER AND IDEOLOGIES IN HILLARY CLINTON’S 24
Friendliness
Friendliness is a key personality trait that reflects a person's concern for others, fostering cooperation, assistance, and trust By embodying friendliness, individuals can enhance the depth and quality of their relationships, leading to more meaningful connections.
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 deep gratitude to the audience, thanking them ten times and referring to them as "my friends," which highlighted her close connection with them She concluded her sentiment with a heartfelt declaration: "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 and willing to connect with others, including those you may not know well, while embracing vulnerability and interdependence In her speech, Hillary emphasized the importance of assuming that others are well-intentioned and open to mutual exchange, highlighting her belief in the potential for learning from them She demonstrated her influence by recalling the collective efforts made over a year and a half, uniting millions from across the nation to express a shared message.
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 that a strong leader values every individual In her speech, she acknowledged numerous supporters, including Tim Kaine, Barack and Michelle Obama, and her entire family, while also showing care for diverse groups such as immigrants, LGBT individuals, and people with disabilities Clinton's recognition of these individuals underscored her commitment to all Americans, reflecting the multicultural fabric of the United States.
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 gratitude, stating, "One of my favorite phrases that I came across in a hard time in my own life was to practice the discipline of gratitude." She highlighted that while it's easy to feel grateful during good times, true resilience comes from maintaining gratitude amidst setbacks This mental discipline, she believes, allows individuals to broaden their perspective on life, their communities, and the world, fostering the inner strength and determination to persevere despite challenges.
Hillary effectively showcased her power and ideologies by using humor to convey warmth, particularly by emphasizing her family's efforts This strategy resonated well with the audience, resulting in laughter and a positive reception.
- 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 millions of volunteers, community leaders, activists, and union organizers who engaged with their communities by knocking on doors, conversing with neighbors, and utilizing social media platforms, including private Facebook groups, to spread their message and foster connection.
Patriotism
Patriotism, or national pride, reflects a deep love, devotion, and attachment to one’s homeland In his seminal work on the topic, Nathanson (1993, pp.34–35) articulates that patriotism encompasses a profound commitment to one’s country, highlighting its significance in shaping individual identity and collective unity.
- 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 exemplifies the ideology of patriotism, as she articulates her role as a representative of all citizens during her presidential campaign She skillfully emphasizes her connection to the nation by using phrases like "our country," "the country we love," and "building an America," reinforcing a sense of unity and shared values Through expressions such as "our nation" and "strength in our convictions and love for this nation," she effectively conveys her commitment to the ideals of patriotism.
- 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 recognizing the deep divisions within the nation, Hillary Clinton emphasized the importance of unity among all Americans following the election She expressed her unwavering faith in America, urging her supporters to share this belief Acknowledging the election results was challenging, yet she called for acceptance and a focus on the future, reinforcing her commitment to the nation's ideals.
In her 12-minute speech, Hillary emphasized the importance of solidarity among US citizens, urging them to take collective action for the nation's benefit Her powerful rhetoric and deep sense of patriotism were evident as she expressed pride in being an American.
- I count my blessings every single day that I am an American (Line 99)
We must ensure that our economy benefits all citizens, not just the wealthy elite, while simultaneously safeguarding our nation and the environment It is essential to dismantle the obstacles that prevent any American from realizing their aspirations.
- 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)
Hillary Clinton, as a former presidential candidate, emphasizes her image as a patriot by expressing her beliefs in the merits of the nation Her sense of belonging to the country and connection to its past and future highlight her strong ideology of patriotism.
Inspiration
Although it’s tough for Hillary Clinton to admit failure after the
2016 presidential election, she gave an inspirational speech to people.
She effectively communicated the importance of setting ambitious goals, putting in hard work, and maintaining unwavering dedication to her beliefs Despite facing challenges, she remained steadfast in her faith and quickly regained her footing.
Following her candid admission of experiencing both successes 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 stay resilient, as there are many more seasons ahead and important tasks still to accomplish.
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, paving the way for future generations Throughout her career, she has championed the rights of women and girls, making a significant impact on the feminist movement In her recent speech, she motivated female listeners by highlighting her enduring commitment to gender equality and empowerment.
To all the women, especially the young women who have trusted in this campaign and in me, I want to express my immense pride in being your champion.
To all the young girls watching, always remember that you are valuable, powerful, and worthy of every opportunity to chase and fulfill your dreams.
Hilary Clinton has profoundly impacted the emotional landscape of the upcoming US presidential election for women globally With her deep understanding of the challenges faced by women today, Clinton has inspired countless individuals, demonstrating that being a woman does not equate to remaining in the background.
The presence of a female presidential candidate profoundly influences young girls, fostering a more open and hopeful worldview This historic moment encourages them to challenge societal norms and aspire to break the glass ceiling.
Chapter summary
This study examines the power dynamics and ideologies present in Hillary Clinton's 2016 concession speech, focusing on the linguistic features that convey her influence as a female politician The analysis reveals four key ideologies embedded in her speech: optimism, friendliness, patriotism, and inspiration, which collectively highlight her strength and resilience following her presidential election defeat.
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 reflects how vocabulary is structured, including synonyms, hyponyms, and antonyms, all of which are rooted in ideological foundations (Fairclough, 2001, pp 96-97).
The strategic pattern of lexical selection in this speech reveals an ideological semantic framework Hillary employs a significant amount of positive lexical devices, as demonstrated by the examples of positive and negative words outlined 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 two tables reveals that positive lexical items significantly outnumber negative ones, with "thank you" appearing 16 times in Hillary's speech This indicates her primary intention to express gratitude for the support received during her presidential campaign, reflecting the optimism discussed earlier in this chapter Despite her defeat, Hillary effectively utilized positive affect resources to convey her appreciation for the campaign experience, while only incorporating a limited number of negative expressions to communicate 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 while also demonstrating empathy and a strong sense of responsibility towards 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 guarantees the peaceful transfer of power, a principle we not only respect but also deeply cherish It upholds the rule of law, equality in rights and dignity, as well as the freedoms of worship and expression These fundamental values are essential to our society, and it is our responsibility to defend 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 remember these crucial 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 emphasized the phrase "worth it" to convey the challenges she and her supporters encountered during the campaign, reinforcing the idea that their struggles were ultimately meaningful and purposeful She aimed to inspire her audience to maintain their belief that the difficult journey they undertook was justified and led to a significant cause.
Over the past year and a half, we have united millions across the nation to affirm that the American dream is inclusive and accessible to all This belief embraces individuals of diverse races, religions, genders, sexual orientations, and abilities, advocating for a society where everyone can thrive.
In her statement, 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 have similar meanings, enhancing the richness and vibrancy of speech and writing By incorporating synonyms, you can create more engaging and colorful content, capturing the reader's imagination and avoiding monotony This practice not only improves communication but also prevents dull and repetitive text, making your writing more intriguing and enjoyable.
Norman Fairclough (2001) observed that true synonyms are rare, leading to a focus on near synonyms instead In her speech, Hillary effectively utilized synonyms on seven occasions, showcasing her flexibility in selecting lexical items This strategic use of language highlights her adeptness in conveying meaning while enhancing the richness of her expression.
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)
Relational value, as described by Fairclough (2001), emphasizes how the choice of words in a text influences and shapes social relationships among participants This aspect of language is significant because it enables the speaker to establish a strong connection with the audience through their word choices.
The speech predominantly employs a formal tone, though 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, as there are still many seasons ahead and important work to accomplish together.
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 her speech, Hillary Clinton employs the metaphor of the "highest and hardest glass ceiling" to illustrate the intangible barriers that hinder women and minorities from achieving top positions in society According to Merriam-Webster, the glass ceiling represents an obstacle within hierarchies, particularly affecting women and people of color in the United States This concept highlights the systemic challenges that have historically prevented these groups from reaching their career aspirations Hillary's use of this metaphor reflects her ongoing commitment to women's rights and underscores her own struggles in the pursuit of becoming the first female president of the United States.
Description of grammatical features
According to Fairclough (2006, p.100), the experiential dimensions of grammar relate to how grammatical structures in a language represent real or imagined actions, events, states, or relationships When conveying these concepts textually, choices between various grammatical processes and participant types can carry ideological implications, highlighting the significance of the selections made in language use.
Webber (1992) asserts that there is an inherent link between linguistic expressions and their ideological significance However, he emphasizes that the meaning of utterances featuring passive or nominalized structures is context-dependent, shaped by the interpretations of individual listeners or readers.
Hillary Clinton's post-election speech on November 8, 2016, exemplifies the impact of her vocal delivery, which effectively conveyed her ideologies and authority Analyzing her use of voice during this pivotal moment highlights the significance of communication in political discourse.
Table 3: Number of active and passive sentences in Hillary Clinton’s 2016 speech.
The analysis reveals a clear dominance of active voice in the speech, with 42 out of 62 sentences (67.8%) being active, while only 1 sentence (1.6%) is passive.
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 authority and beliefs, enabling her to convey her message clearly and reduce the potential for misunderstanding among the audience For instance, she strategically employs active voice to articulate her ideas effectively.
- ‘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 tools for uncovering ideology and power dynamics within a text According to Hall (1977), both linguists and anthropologists acknowledge that pronouns are crucial in connecting language to particular speakers and contexts, while also indicating the shifting responsibilities and obligations of participants in communication.
Pronouns play a crucial role in common syntactic strategies and word order variations, enabling political actors to emphasize specific words and phrases effectively.
Wodak et al (1999) identified pronouns as significant political tools, emphasizing that the frequent use of the pronoun 'we' in political discourse effectively signifies identification and solidarity with specific groups.
As for relational values of grammatical features, Fairclough
(2001) mentions pronouns, especially the usage of ‘we’ and ‘I’ as one of the tools to expose ideology and power The frequency of pronoun
“I” and “We” used in Hillary Clinton’s speech is demonstated in the following table:
Table 4: Frequency of pronouns “I” and “We” in Hillary Clinton’s
Taking a look at the table reveals that two pronouns “I” and
“We” are the most occasionally used in the speech; however, the use of “I” proves to be preferred It indicates Hillary Clinton’s power as
The speaker emphasizes a personal connection by frequently using the pronouns "I" and "we," fostering a sense of shared identity with the audience This unity is reinforced through the repetitive use of possessive adjectives like "our" (25 instances), along with personal pronouns such as "my" (7 times), "us" (8 times), "me" (4 times), "them" (2 times), and "you" (9 times).
In her speech, Hillary effectively utilized inclusive pronouns like "we" and "our," which suggests her intention to foster a sense of connection with her audience rather than positioning herself as the focal point Additionally, her use of the phrasal verb "on behalf of" highlights her commitment and responsibilities to her country She expressed deep appreciation for notable figures such as Barack and Michelle Obama, emphasizing their impact Notably, the second-person pronoun "you" appeared nine times, often directed towards specific individuals, further enhancing her engagement with the audience.
‘To Barack and Michelle Obama, our country owes you an enormous debt of gratitude.’ (line 56). sometimes to ‘Americans from all walks of life
Our collective responsibility as citizens is to contribute to the creation of a better, stronger, and fairer America for everyone, regardless of race, religion, gender, migration status, sexual orientation, or ability Together, we can build an inclusive society that embraces diversity and promotes equality for all.
Fairclough (2001) identified three modes in text: declarative, grammatical questions, and imperative, each playing a distinct role in expressing ideology In the analyzed speech, out of 62 sentences—excluding greetings and closing wishes—56 were declarative, while 6 were imperative.
The speaker effectively utilizes declarative sentences to convey information, highlighting Hillary's intention to share her emotions following the presidential election By leveraging her influence as a prominent American figure, she aims to inform the public about her experiences and insights.
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 an inspiring message to her supporters, urging them to move forward from the emotional setback of her loss By effectively employing anaphora, she emphasized the importance of acknowledging this defeat while maintaining faith and committing to positive actions for the future Hillary encouraged her supporters not to give up but to persevere in their efforts.
According to Fairclough (2001, p.105), modality encompasses the authority of the speaker or writer through two key dimensions: relational and expressive modality Relational modality pertains to the authority held by one participant in a relationship, while expressive modality relates to the writer's authority concerning the truthfulness or likelihood of a representation of reality.
In terms of relational modality, there are three instances in the text.
Must 2 -if you do, then we must accept this result and then look to the future (Line 25)
-We respect and cherish these values, - too, and we must defend them (Line 34)
Should 1 And you should never, ever regret fighting for that (Line 106)
Table 6: Relational modality in Hillary Clinton’s 2016 speech
Description of macro-structure… …
This study delves into the macro-structure of the text, building on previous analyses that explored Hillary Clinton's power and ideology through micro-structural elements like lexical choice and grammatical features.
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 features a well-organized structure that effectively connects ideas, enhancing coherence and ensuring her message resonates with the audience This macro-structure is crucial in conveying the power and ideologies embedded in her discourse.
Interpretation
Fairclough’s framework identifies interpretation as the second stage, focusing on the meaning of utterances, local coherence, and text structure Previous sections have covered various aspects of text interpretation, including schemata, cohesion, grammar, and vocabulary In this context, interpretation involves two domains: situational context and inter-textual context Since Hillary Clinton's concession speech is a standalone address rather than part of a series, only the situational context is analyzed.
To reveal the underlying ideologies and power dynamics in discourse, Fairclough suggests addressing four key questions: who is involved in the conversation, what events or actions are taking place, what is the nature of the relationships among participants, and how does language play a role in shaping these interactions.
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 people to strive for a brighter future despite facing setbacks.
In her political 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, Clinton speaks directly to figures such as Donald Trump and Barack Obama, as well as her family and supporters, including veterans, volunteers, community leaders, activists, and union organizers The speech is characterized by minimal interaction with the audience, primarily consisting of applause and laughter, framing the discourse as a monologue where the audience passively receives her message.
The speaker, a political leader, typically holds a higher position, granting her the authority to dictate the discourse, information, and language of her speech She strategically determines the timing, location, and manner of expressing her power and ideologies, while also considering the specific audience she aims to reach These elements significantly influence both the content and language of her speeches.
Language serves a crucial role in conveying information, expressing emotions, and sharing inspiring ideas, particularly in the context of Hillary Clinton's communication with her audience The choice of language she employs is vital for demonstrating her authority and effectively communicating her ideologies.
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, including friends, family, and supporters, gathered at a prominent hotel post-election She congratulated Donald Trump on his victory and extended an offer to collaborate for the benefit of the country, expressing hope for his success as president Despite her loss, Clinton reflected on the shared values with her supporters and took pride in her political contributions She praised her supporters as exemplary representatives of America, utilizing a rich vocabulary of positive nouns and adjectives to convey her appreciation Her emotional connection was evident when she declared, “I love you all,” highlighting her deep affection for the American people.
In her concession speech, Hillary Clinton expressed her profound disappointment with the election results, using poignant terms such as "disappointed," "painful," and "hurts" to convey her feelings She acknowledged the deep divisions within the country and emphasized the importance of acceptance during this challenging time.
‘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 upholding the principles of democracy enshrined in the US Constitution With elections occurring every four years, she urged citizens to continuously advocate for meaningful causes and values Additionally, she highlighted the need for economic development, not just to safeguard the nation, but also to ensure 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 invaluable contributions of her journey companions, including Tim Kaine, Ann Holton, and former leaders Barack and Michelle Obama She acknowledged the support of her entire family—Bill, Chelsea, Mark, Charlotte, Aidan, and her brother—alongside veterans, millions of volunteers, community leaders, activists, and union organizations who played a crucial role in her endeavors.
Hillary Clinton reflected on her lifelong political journey, acknowledging both her successes and failures She emphasized the importance of perseverance, stating, “it is, it is worth it,” to inspire young people to continue fighting for their beliefs Clinton expressed deep gratitude for the women who have inspired her, particularly the young women who supported her campaign Throughout her speech, she conveyed her heartfelt appreciation to everyone involved, highlighting her gratitude to the country for the opportunity to represent its diverse population in a significant election.
In her speech, she expresses deep gratitude to the people while portraying herself as a resilient woman who strives for excellence despite setbacks Notably, the use of active voice throughout her address highlights her unwavering determination, even after experiencing defeat in the election.
- 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)
The speech effectively showcases Hillary Clinton's determination and assertiveness through numerous active-voice sentences, which enhance clarity by clearly identifying the subject taking action This emphasis on the actor strengthens the message, as seen in the contrast with the lower frequency of passive voice, such as in the statement, "Our nation is more deeply divided than we thought." By utilizing active voice, Clinton powerfully conveys her ideologies and reinforces her commanding presence.
The situational context significantly influences the speaker's selection of personal pronouns Hillary Clinton was fully cognizant of the answers to the critical questions of "Who’s involved?" and "What is the role of the language?" before determining her pronoun choices.
Hillary Clinton effectively utilized the inclusive 'we' to connect with the American people, positioning herself as one of them and fostering a sense of camaraderie, especially after her election defeat This strategy, combined with her careful distinction between in-groups and out-groups and her choice of positive and negative language, helped her appear more approachable and relatable to her audience.
Explanation
Fairclough (2001) emphasizes that the purpose of the explanation stage is to illustrate discourse as a component of social processes and practices, highlighting how it is influenced by social structures He argues that these social influences and outcomes are "mediated" by social relations (MR), where social structures shape MR, which subsequently influences discourses In turn, discourses can either uphold or transform MR, ultimately affecting the social structures themselves.
Hillary Clinton's speech following the 2016 presidential election reflects her resilience and commitment to her ideals, reinforcing her image as a strong-willed candidate As the first woman to secure a major party's presidential nomination, her address marks a significant milestone in American history Clinton's acknowledgment of her defeat, coupled with gratitude towards her supporters—including political leaders, organizations, and family—highlights her positive identity and connection with the public Despite her loss, she exudes pride in her contributions, showcasing her power, competence, and self-confidence Ultimately, her message aims to foster solidarity among Americans while emphasizing the importance of focusing on pressing political, economic, and social issues.
Hillary Clinton's speech serves to enhance her public image, showcasing her as a powerful woman with positive ideals such as 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 accomplishments as a politician and her bravery further amplify her influence, making her message resonate globally and strengthening her persuasive power.
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 post-election speech on November 9, 2016, Hillary Clinton transformed the mood of the American public, fostering a sense of solidarity among her supporters and opponents alike She emphasized the importance of women's participation in politics, regardless of age or religion, and expressed heartfelt gratitude to everyone involved in her campaign Despite her defeat, Clinton's address resonated deeply, showcasing her commitment to democracy and the nation she loves She acknowledged the election results with grace, while also encouraging hope for a better future under Donald Trump's presidency Clinton's message was clear: unity and resilience are essential for progress, and she firmly believed in the strength of Americans coming together Her speech not only inspired her audience but also served as a powerful call to promote women's roles in politics globally Ultimately, Clinton's ability to convey her vision and determination solidified her legacy as a formidable figure in American politics.
Despite her electoral defeat, Hillary Clinton remains a formidable figure in society, consistently advocating for the people of her country As a prominent political leader, she exemplifies resilience by transforming failure into a powerful message of hope and empowerment Her speeches not only enhance her persuasive abilities but also inspire 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 predominantly employs active sentences, which enhances her strength and decisiveness By using passive constructions sparingly, she fosters a sense of solidarity and empowerment, positively influencing her audience on a societal level This strategic choice contributes to her narrative of resilience, connecting her past failures to future successes and reinforcing her commitment to proving her political reputation.
Hillary Clinton's strategic use of pronouns in her post-election speech aimed to bolster the morale of her supporters by highlighting their vital roles in the electoral process By predominantly using the personal pronoun 'I' at the beginning of her address, she directed the audience's attention to herself, while the repeated use of 'we' and 'our' fostered a sense of unity and inclusiveness, steering clear of a dictatorial tone According to Peker (2006), the term 'our' reflects a collective societal desire, which Clinton embraced to resonate emotionally with her audience after her 2016 presidential defeat This verbal technique not only enhanced the persuasiveness of her message but also helped portray her as a positive political figure committed to advancing important causes and values, despite her loss Ultimately, Clinton’s speech effectively revealed her ideologies and reinforced her image as a determined leader.
Chapter summary
This section conducts a critical discourse analysis of Hillary Clinton's speech to uncover the underlying power dynamics and ideologies Utilizing Fairclough's (2001) three-stage framework—description, interpretation, and explanation—the analysis focuses on both lexical items and grammatical features Hillary Clinton embodies four key aspects of power and ideology in her discourse: optimism, friendliness, patriotism, and inspiration.
The speaker effectively conveys her power and ideologies through a strategic selection of vocabulary, including positive words, synonyms, antonyms, and metaphors Additionally, she skillfully employs connective phrases throughout the text to enhance the expression of her ideas and authority.
The analysis highlights a significant prevalence of pronouns like "We" and "I" in Hillary Clinton's formal speech, contributing to a sense of personal connection and authority Her use of active voice predominates, enhancing the strength and decisiveness of her message Additionally, declarative sentences are more frequent than imperative ones, aligning well with the speech's tone and theme.