Comparing the Use of Pronominals and Metaphors of Various American Presidents

Seminar paper from the year 2005 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Linguistics, grade: 1,00, University of Bamberg, course: English Pragmatics, language: English, abstract: The concept of political talk is not as old or traditionally anchored in our Western societies as we might expect it to be. The very first political footprints to be found in the history of mankind, made of course by the Greek and Roman cultures of the Ancient Times, were only a mere indication of the vast potential of the spoken word next to religious use. The law, political debate and inspiring speeches had evolved. But only since the total detachment from despotic rulers, egoistical monarchs and ruthless dictators are people really able to speak freely. The most decisive detachment in history is documented in the Declaration of Independence of July 4th 1776, when the thirteen North American colonies formed their own government apart from the British Empire. Ever since then, the oldest democracy in the world has been through many domestic and global changes. And with these changes also came the change in political talk. The messages and intentions of the political speakers had to adapt to the ever changing environments, the not foreseen challenges and the unknown circumstances surrounding them. Especially the modern world of technology has altered the entire concept of speaking to the people and leading the nation. Instead of just having to address the Representatives of the Congress as perhaps George Washington had done, Presidents such as James Garfield or Dwight Eisenhower had the privilege of speaking to hundreds and later millions of their fellow-citizens, due to the invention of the telephone, radio and the television. And since this kind of availability has constantly progressed, the politicians are now more than ever present in our daily lives. The Internet has taken care of that. And exactly this kind of technological comfort can be used as an excellent tool. Political debates and speeches on television have proven their value to the average and also undecided voter. But no politician can convey his or her message via radio or television without outstanding verbal abilities. Being able to influence the average American viewer simply by appearing on television is not enough.