IDEAS: Journal on English Language Teaching and Learning, Linguistics and Literature
Vol. 14 No. 1 (2026): IDEAS: Journal on English Language Teaching and Learning, Linguistics and Lite

An SFL Analysis of Interpersonal Metafunction in Constructing President Prabowo's Moral Authority at the UNGA

Rafiq al indra (Tadris Bahasa Inggris, Pascasarjana Universitas Islam Sultan Syarif Kasim)
Nur Aisyah Zulkifli (Tadris Bahasa Inggris, Pascasarjana Universitas Islam Sultan Syarif Kasim)



Article Info

Publish Date
10 Jun 2026

Abstract

This study presents an SFL (Systemic Functional Linguistics) analysis of the Interpersonal Metafunction in President Prabowo's UNGA speech, focusing on the Mood and Modality systems to uncover the rhetorical strategies used in constructing his moral authority and negotiating Indonesia's role as a committed global actor. The analysis finds that while the Declarative Mood dominates to establish credibility, strategic shifts to the Interrogative Mood and the inclusive Imperative Mood ("We must...") are employed to actively engage the audience, demand moral reflection, and construct an accountable solidarity. The most significant finding is the dominance of High Value Modality, particularly the high frequency of High Deontic Modality ("must"), which linguistically elevates propositions such as the Two-State Solution to non-negotiable moral and political mandates. This choice is further reinforced by High Value Capacity/Willingness Modality, asserting Indonesia's credibility and agency. Overall, this sophisticated interpersonal strategy successfully positions President Prabowo as an authoritative and highly moral leader, linguistically imposing the highest level of conviction and demand for action upon the international community.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

ideas

Publisher

Subject

Languange, Linguistic, Communication & Media

Description

IDEAS Journal is published twice a year in the months of June and December (P-ISSN 2338-4778 and E-ISSN 2548-4192); it presents articles on English language teaching and learning, linguistics, and literature. The contents include analyses, studies and application of theories, research report, ...