Studies in English Language and Education
Vol 5, No 1 (2018)

A pragmatic study of speech as an instrument of power: Analysis of the 2016 USA presidential debate

Misyi Gusthini (Padjadjaran University)
Cece Sobarna (Padjadjaran University)
Rosaria Mita Amalia (Padjadjaran University)



Article Info

Publish Date
01 Mar 2018

Abstract

This research was aimed at analyzing the speeches of Donald Trump and of Hillary Clinton in the USA Presidential candidates’ debates as instruments of power. The data is a presidential final debate video of Trump and Clinton made in September 2016 which has been converted into a transcript. The data analyzing technique is divided into three steps: 1) describing the context, 2) analyzing the illocutionary acts, and 3) analyzing the power dimensions. The results of this research show that the speakers use the speech act as an instrument of power with classifications of representative, commissive and expressive. In this regard, the researchers found that the speakers demonstrated their power to try to convince the voters in their society to trust them to be the president. The research results also showed that the usage of speech in debate as an instrument of power can influence the voters especially on Election Day.

Copyrights © 2018






Journal Info

Abbrev

SiELE

Publisher

Subject

Education Languange, Linguistic, Communication & Media

Description

Studies in English Language and Education (SiELE) is a peer-reviewed academic journal published by the Department of English Education, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, Indonesia. The journal presents research and development in the field of teaching ...