Arab World English Journal (AWEJ) Volume 12. Number3 September 2021 Pp. 36-50
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.24093/awej/vol12no3.3
The Theme of Unity in Political Discourse: The Case of President Joe Biden’s Inauguration Speech
on the 20th of January 2021
Turki Bani-Khaled
Department of English; School of Foreign Languages
University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
Corresponding Author: turkiaad@yahoo.co.uk
Sylvia Azzam
Department of Educational Sciences
Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences
Babeş-Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Received: 5/18/2021 Accepted: 8/1/2021 Published: 9/24/2021
Abstract:
This study explored the theme of unity in President Joe Biden’s Inauguration Speech on the 20th of January from a linguistic perspective. The main research question was: How was the theme of unity conveyed in this particular speech through linguistic choices? The significance of this work lies in the fact that this specific speech has not been subjected to academic linguistic investigation to date. In addition, this speech is unique as it came to mark the beginning of the new presidency with a direct focus on unity as a recurring theme. The methodology adopted a qualitative analytical analysis of the concept of unity as referred to in this speech. The study followed a thematic analysis in approaching the speech text. The researchers scrutinized every utterance for clues on the possible linguistic features that portrayed the theme of unity conveyed by the speaker. They also examined the lexical items concerning the concept of unity in the speech. The results showed that the speaker used appropriate language in addressing the theme of unity. The speaker used religion and history as a source of rhetorical persuasive devices. The overall tone of the speech was confident, reconciliatory, and hopeful. The study concluded with some implications for pedagogy and academic research.
Keywords: Biden, inaugural speech, political discourse, USA, unity
Cite as: Bani-Khaled, T. , & Azzam, S. (2021). The Theme of Unity in Political Discourse: The Case of President Joe Biden’s Inauguration
Speech on the 20th of January 2021. Arab World English Journal, 12 (3) 36-50.
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.24093/awej/vol12no3.3
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NOTE: Text source: Inaugural Address by President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Retrieved from (no page numbering given)