MODAL VERBS IN BARACK OBAMAS VICTORY SPEECHES.

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MODAL VERBS IN BARACK OBAMA’S VICTORY SPEECHES

A Thesis

Submitted to Post-Graduate School English Applied Linguistic Program in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of

Magister Humaniora

By:

CHITRA LATIFFANI Registration Number : 8126112006

ENGLISH APPLIED LINGUISTICS STUDY PROGRAM

POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL

STATE UNIVERSITY OF MEDAN

MEDAN

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MODAL VERBS IN BARACK OBAMA’S VICTORY SPEECHES

A Thesis

Submitted to Post-Graduate School English Applied Linguistic Program in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of

Magister Humaniora

By:

CHITRA LATIFFANI Registration Number : 8126112006

ENGLISH APPLIED LINGUISTICS STUDY PROGRAM

POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL

STATE UNIVERSITY OF MEDAN

MEDAN

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iii ABSTRACT

CHITRA LATIFFANI. Modal Verbs in Barack Obama’s Victory Speeches. A thesis, English Applied Linguistics Study Program, Post Graduate School, State University of Medan, 2014.

The aim of this study was to discover the modal verbs in Barack Obama’s victory speeches. They were (1) to identify the frequent modal verbs are used in Barack Obama’s victory speeches, (2) to describe the frequent modal verbs are used in Barack Obama’s victory speeches, (3) to explain the meaning does the frequently modal verbs on the overall message conveyed by Barack Obama’s in his first election in 2008 and the second election in 2012 victory speeches. Qualitative research was chosen as the research design of this study because the subject matter of this study was related to the discourse analysis of modal verbs used by Barrack Obama in his victory speeches. The clauses obtained from the first and second political victory speeches of the President of the United States Barack Obama. The analysis was conducted by analyzing modal verbs with reference to Nordquist (2013) and englisch-hilfen.de. (1999-2013). The data analysis reveals that there are twelve modal verbs were used by president of the United States Barack Obama’s in his first victory speeches and eight modal verbs were used by president of the United States Barack Obama’s in his second victory speeches. From his first and second victory speeches he used 5 frequent modal verbs which have the same and the different frequent modal verbs in each victory speeches. The meaning does the frequent modal verbs on the overall message conveyed by Barack Obama’s in his second election in 2012 victory speeches were to show ability from can, possibility from could, promise from will, promise from will not and habits from would. Modal verbs also given an insight or information and underlined his speech to influence others to go along with them willingness to volunteer.

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iv ABSTRAK

CHITRA LATIFFANI. Modal Verbs dalam Pidato Kemenangan Barack Obama. Thesis, Program Linguistik Terapan Bahasa Inggris, Pascasarjana Universitas Negeri Medan 2014.

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui modal verbs dalam pidato kemenangan Barack Obama. Tujuannya adalah (1) untuk mengetahui modal verbs yang sering digunakan oleh Barack Obama dalam pidato kemenangannya, (2) untuk menggambarkan modal verbs yang sering digunakan oleh Barack Obama dalam pidato kemenangannya, (3) untuk menjelaskan arti dari modal verbs yang sering muncul dalam pesan keseluruhan yang disampaikan oleh Barack Obama dalam pidato kemenangannya pada pemilihan presiden pertama pada tahun 2008 dan pemilihan presiden kedua pada tahun 2012. Penelitian kualitatif dipilih sebagai desain penelitian ini karena subyek penelitian ini berkenaan dengan analisis pidato modal verb yang digunakan oleh Barrack Obama dalam pidato kemenangannya. Kausa ditemukan pada pidato politik kemenangan president Amerika Serikat Barack Obama yang pertama dan yang kedua. Analisis yang dilakukan adalah dengan cara menganalisa modal verbs menggunakan teori Nordquist (2013) dan englisch-hilfen.de. (1999-2013). Analisis data menunjukkan bahwa terdapat dua belas modal verbs yang digunakan oleh presiden Amerika Serikat Barack Obama dalam pidato kemenangannya yang pertama dan delapan modal verbs yang digunakan oleh presiden Amerika Serikat Barack Obama dala pidato kemenangannya yang kedua. Dari pidato kemenangannya yang pertama dan kedua, Barack Obama sering lima modal verbs yang mana kedua pidato tersebut terdapat penggunaan modal verbs yang sama dan berbeda. Modal verbs yang sering muncul dalam pesan keseluruhan yang disampaikan oleh Barack Obama dalam pidato kemenangannya pada pemilihan presiden pertama pada tahun 2008 dan pemilihan presiden kedua pada tahun 2012 berarti menunjukkan kemampuan dari can, kemungkinan dari could, janji dari will, janji dari will not dan kebiasaan dari would. Modal verbs juga menggaris bawahi pidato Barack Obama untuk memberikan wawasan atau informasi dan mempengaruhi orang lain untuk berjalan bersamanya secara sukarela.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

First of all, the researcher would like to thank to Allah the Al-mighty who has given her blessing and merciful until she was able to finish writing this thesis.

In the process of writing this thesis, the researcher has to confess that many people have given her much help, advice and support. A very special gratitude would be addressed to some distinguished people as below:

First gratitude belongs to the first adviser of mine is Dr. Siti Aisyah Ginting, M. Pd., and the second adviser is Prof. Dr. Sumarsih, M. Pd., who advised her in wroting this thesis and without their guidance and persistent help this thesis would not have been possible.

Third gratitude, the researcher likes to express her deepest thanks to the head of English Applied Linguistic Study Program Prof. Dr. Busmin Gurning, M. Pd., secretary of English Applied Linguistic Study Program Dr. Sri Minda Murni, M.S., and all the experienced lectures who taught, educated and advised her along for three semesters.

Fourth gratitude, the researcher own this deep thanks to the three reviewers of hers. They are: Prof. Amrin Saragih, M.A., Ph.D., as the first reviewer, Dr. Zainuddin, M.Hum., as the second reviewer and Dr. Sri Minda Murni, M.S., a the third reviewer who provided her with the most useful critics and constructive suggestion.

Last, I am indebted to my many classmates LTBI B1 who supported me in wrote this thesis, especially: Balqis Wandira, M.Hum., Irma Khoirot Daulay, M.Hum., Bambang Nur

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Alamsyah Lubis, S.Pd., Syafrina K.N. Panjaitan, S.Pd., Fandy Zulmi, S.Pd. for their sincere, comfort, love and patience.

This thesis is dedicated to my beloved parents who always support me throughout my life, to my beloved husband who always stood by me and believed that I could do it and to my beautiful daughter who always being left but always smile whenever I got home.

Medan, June 2014 The researcher,

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ...i

ABSTRACT ...iii

ABSTRAK ...iv

TABLE OF CONTENT ...v

LIST OF TABLE ...vii

LIST OF APPENDIX ...viii

CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION ... 1

1.1 The Background of Study ...1

1.2 The Problem of Study ...5

1.3 The Objective of Study ...6

1.4 The Scope of study ...6

1.5 The Significance of Study ...6

CHAPTER II REVIEW OF LITERATURE ...8

2.1 Modal Verbs ...8

2.2 Public Speaking ...13

2.2.1 Speech ...14

2.2.2 Discourse Analysis ...16

2.2.3 Political Discourse ...18

2.5 Barack Obama ...19

CHAPTER III RESEARCH METHODOLOGY ...22

3.1 Research Design ...22

3.2 The Data and the Source of the Data ...23

3.3 Instrument of the Data Collection ...23

3.4 Technique of the Data Collection ...23

3.5 Technique of the Data Analysis ...23

3.6. Trustworthiness of the Study ...25

CHAPTER IV DATA, DATA ANALYSIS, FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION ...28

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4.1 Data ...28

4.2 Data Analysis ...28

4.2.1 Modal Verbs are used in Barack Obama’s Victory Speeches ...28

4.2.2 Frequent Verbs used in Barack Obama’s Victory Speeches ...34

4.2.3 Meaning of Frequent Modal Verbs on the Overall Message Conveyed by Barack Obama’s Victory Speeches ...36

4.3 Research Findings ...44

4.3.1 Modal Verbs used in Barack Obama’s Victory Speeches ...44

4.3.2 Frequent Verbs used in Barack Obama’s Victory Speeches ...45

4.3.3 Meaning of Frequent Modal Verbs on the Overall Message Conveyed by Barack Obama’s Victory Speeches ...45

4.4 Discussion ...46

4.4.1 Modal Verbs used in Barack Obama’s Victory Speeches ...47

4.3.2 Frequent Verbs used in Barack Obama’s Victory Speeches ...47

4.3.3 Meaning of Frequent Modal Verbs on the Overall Message Conveyed by Barack Obama’s Victory Speeches ...47

CHAPTER V CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTION ...49

5.1 Conclusion ...49

5.2 Suggestion ...50

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LIST OF TABLE

No. 1 Table 2.1 Modals – English Grammar ... 9 No. 2 Table 2.2 Strength and Frequency of Modals Verbs ... 13 No. 3 Table 4.2.1.1 Modal Verbs used in Barack Obama’s victory speeches in the first election ... 29 No. 4 Table 4.2.1.2 Modal Verbs used in Barack Obama’s victory speeches in the second election ... 32 No. 5 Table 4.2.2.1 Distribution of Modal Verbs used in Barack Obama’s

victory speeches in the first election ... 34 No. 6 Table 4.2.2.2 Distribution of Modal Verbs used in Barack Obama’s

victory speeches in the second election ... 38 No. 7 Table 4.2.3.1 Meaning of Frequent Modal Verbs used in

Barack Obama’s victory speeches in the first election ... 37 No. 8 Table 4.2.3.2 Meaning of Frequent Modal Verbs used in

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LIST OF APPENDIX

No. 1 Appendix 1 Barack Obama First Victory Speech ……. ... 54 No. 2 Appendix 2 Barack Obama Second Victory Speech ..……. ... 59 No. 3 Appendix 3 Modal Verbs Analysis of Barack Obama’s

2008 election Victory Speech ..……. ... 64 No. 4 Appendix 4 Modal Verbs Analysis of Barack Obama’s

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CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION 1.1. The Background of the Study

Communicating is a very important language activity in human life and through communication; a person may disclose or convey meaning, feelings, advice, ideas and so on. Communication can be done orally or in written form by means of language. In order to what is delivered by a speaker can be understood by listeners, the language that is used; either the structure or the word choice, should be arranged in such a way.

Communication which is done orally is different with communication which is done in written form. The structure of oral communication is usually irregular and very simple and if the listener did not understand the message or the meaning of what is the speaker try to disclose or convey, then the listener can ask question directly to the speaker. While in written communication, the structure of it should be complete because if the reader cannot understand the message, the reader could not directly ask the author.

However, it does not mean that the speaker can use language that is not particularly well structured in monologue communication. In monologue communication, the frequently ask and question (FAQ) is not expected to occur during the speaker delivered his speech. If there is interaction from the listener, it is only as a sense of awe, agree, sympathetic and so forth that is expressed trough applause, screams and laughter. Therefore the speaker

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will attempt to convey meaning by using aspects of the language in such a way, for example the use of phoneme, morpheme, grammar, metaphor and modal verbs.

Modal verbs operate like other aspects of language, they can be analyzed from pragmatic and semantic perspective, they are used to indicate different meaning or acts like request, obligation, order, permit, etc. Modal verbs in English regarded as small class of auxiliary verbs. They distinguish from other verbs because they have not participle or infinitive forms. According to Jabber and Jinguan (2012) “The modal verbs characterized by some feature like: they do not use (s) in the third person singular, they are not used as infinitives or participles, they function like auxiliary verbs do and they can undergo the subject auxiliary version”.

Seonoaid (2013) states that “The modal verbs that often used are

Can, Could, May, Might, Must, Ought to, Shall, Should, Will and Would”.

These modal verbs is often used to express ability, possibility, permission, request, offer, suggestion, necessity, advice, obligation, demand, order, prediction, assumption, wish, promise and habit in declarative and interrogative sentences. Modal verbs occur in daily conversation, whether written or spoken. It is spoken by entire people such as teacher, lecturer, parents, students, doctors, lawyers, politicians, presidents, etc.

Barack Obama for example, as an elected president of The United States in his speech tries to satisfied and pleased his people and supporters who trust him as president of The United States. It can be seen from the use

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of modal verbs as one of Barrak Obama’s efforts to convince his people and

supporters.

Examples below show us some of his modal verbs used in his speech on Manassas, Prince William County, Virginia at November 3rd 2008. The night before the election:

 “Tomorrow you can turn the page on policies that put greed and

irresponsibility before hard work and sacrifice.” Modal verbs can in

his speech occurs to expres ability function in declarative sentences.  “We tried to communicate for these last two years that we can't

afford the same political games, the same tactics that pit us against one another, that make us afraid of each other.” Modal verbs cannot in his speech occurs to expres prohibition function in declarative sentences.

 “I'd see my staff and I would say "Are you fired up?" and they would say "We are fired up, boss, are you ready to go?" And I'd say "I'm ready to go."” Modal verbs would in his speech occurs to expres habits function in declarative sentences.

All of above examples show the modal verbs that express ability, prohibition and habits function in Barack Obama speech to persuade the audience.

Speech is a power in itself, it is means that through speech, the speakers can persuade the listeners. The most significant thing in the speech is the message that the speaker wants to convey to the listener. When the

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listener understands the message in the speech, he will responds or behaves positively. According to Mulyana (1995) “Speech is an utterance with a

good arrangement to be submitted to the crowd”. Its means beside the

message, good arrangement of words and grammar from the speaker speech is also important in delivered a speech in order that the listener interpreted the speaker message well.

In Barack Obama’s leadership, there are not only pro which arise but also the contrary of him. There are his supporters but there are his haters, but it did not become his obstacle to lead the United States not only for once but twice in a row. It is become an interesting phenomenon why and how he, with his background as an African American, can be a president of the United States defeated his entire opponent and takes the people’s trust in him. Especially in linguistic area which is related to the use of modal verbs in his speeches.

Language and politics are related, language is a tool by which the politicians can command, request, persuade, declare, etc. Due of this, politicians tend to use special forms of language to give their speech discourse charm which enable them to send different messages to different people of different orientations and levels at one time and within one piece of discourse. According to Jabber and Jinguan (2012), “To achieve these functions they use language in a subtle, manipulative and convincing way

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Based on the research about “The Modals Verbs: A Speech Act of

Request in The Speech of The President of The United States Barack

Obama” Jabber and Jinguan (2012), their resulted that the modal verbs as a general used as auxiliary verbs can be occurring in declarative, imperative sentences and also can be used to create interrogative sentences. Three modal verbs namely “can”, “Will” and “Must” are used by the speaker in the speech chosen, they frequented many times and the study showed that the speaker in his speech focus on them as a tool to interact with his interlocutors. It is mean that modal verbs occurs by the speaker in the speech that they use and the speaker in his speech focus on them as a tool to interact with his listeners.

Another previous research about “Modal verbs and politeness strategies in political discourse” Ruxandra Boicu (2007), conclude that the

use of the modal verbs in Ashley Mote’s speech enhances the illocutionary

force of FTAs (Face-Threatening Acts), as by definition. Considering the extremist character of nationalist ideology that he promotes, his discourse might be expected to be more radical and more illocutionarily forceful.

Ashley Mote’s status of an independent politician who is not an MP in the national parliament cannot enable him to utter commissive speech acts or stronger directive ones. It is mean that modal verbs spoken by Ashley Mote enhances the illocutionary force but he enable to utter commissive speech acts or stronger directive ones due to his status of an independent politician who is not an MP in the national parliament.

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From all of those interested discusses, the researcher attempted to

research Modal Verbs in Barack Obama’s Victory Speeches. The researcher interested to know what modal verbs are used in Barack Obama’s victory

speeches, which modal verbs are frequently used in Barack Obama’s victory speeches and in what meaning does the frequently modal verbs on the overall message conveyed by Barack Obama’s in his first and the second election 2012 victory speeches.

1.2.The Problem of the Study

The problem of this study is on to the use of modal verbs in Barack

Obama’s victory speeches in the first election on 2008 and the second election on 2012. The problems formulated as in the following.

1. What modal verbs are used in Barack Obama’s victory speeches in the first election in 2008 and the second election in 2012?

2. Which modal verbs are frequently used in Barack Obama’s victory speeches in the first election in 2008 and the second election in 2012?

3. What meaning does the frequently modal verbs on the overall message conveyed by Barack Obama’s in his first election in 2008 and the second election in 2012 victory speeches?

1.3.The Objectives of the Study

In relation to the problems, the objectives of the study are to describe:

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1. the modal verbs are used in Barack Obama’s victory speeches in the first election in 2008 and the second election in 2012,

2. the frequent modal verbs are used in Barack Obama’s victory speeches in the first election in 2008 and the second election in 2012, and

3. the explanation of what meaning does the frequent modal verbs on the overall message conveyed by Barack Obama’s in his first election in 2008 and the second election in 2012 victory speeches. 1.4.The Scope of the Study

The scope of the study is focused on the modal verbs and the use of modal verbs which are found in Barack Obama’s victory speeches in the first election in 2008 and the second election in 2012. Further, the analysis of the study intends to find the objective and explanative of the modal verbs

used in Barack Obama’s victory speeches in the first election in 2008 and the second election in 2012.

1.5.The Significance of the Study

Finding of the study are expected to be significantly relevant theoretically and practically.

Theoretically, the researcher expect that the research finding will be useful for:

1. describing the modal verbs used in Barack Obama’s victory speeches in the first election in 2008 and the second election in 2012,

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2. understanding the modal verbs used in Barack Obama’s victory speeches in the first election in 2008 and the second election in 2012, 3. teaching to improve the ability to teach English and enlarges their

knowledge about the modal verbs that is used in speech, and

4. identifying the speakers’ intentions of the modal verbs in speech, especially in Barack Obama’s victory speeches in the first election in 2008 and the second election in 2012.

Practically finding of this research will be useful for:

1. other researcher who will conduct the relevance study, this research will be very a useful aid,

2. politicians can use the findings of this research to give a new point of view of modal verbs that use in political discourse, and

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CHAPTER V

CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTION

5.1.Conclusion

This study is concerning on Modal Verbs used by Barack Obama’s victory speeches in the first election in 2008 and in the second election in 2012. It was aimed to describing and explaining the frequent modal verbs and the meaning of frequent modal verbs bring on the overall message conveyed by Barack Obama’s in his first and second victory speeches.

Based on the analysis of the data which has been done, the conclusions are as the following:

1. There are fourteen modal verbs used by the president of the United States Barack Obama in his first victory speech. They are can, cannot, could, could not, may, may not, might, shall, should, will, will not, would and would not. And for his second victory speech, they are 8 modal verbs that used by the president of the United States Barack Obama namely can, could, may, should not, will, will not, would and would not.

2. There are six frequent modal verbs in general which were used in Barack Obama’s first victory speeches, they are can, cannot, may not, must, should and will. In Barack Obama’s second victory speeches there are five frequent modal verbs also that were used, they are can, could, will, will not and would. From both of his first and second victory speeches there are nine frequent modal verbs are used, namely 1) can, 2) cannot, 3) could, 4) must, 5) may not, 6) should, 7) will, 8) will not and 9) would.

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3. The meaning of frequent modal verbs on the overall message conveyed by Barack Obama’s victory speeches in the first election in 2008 are to express functions such as ability from can, incapability from cannot, possibility from may not, necessity from must, advice from should and promise from will. And the meaning of frequent modal verbs bring on the overall message conveyed by Barack Obama’s victory speeches in the second election in 2012 are to express functions such as ability from can, possibility from could, promise from will, promise from will not and habits from would. Modal verbs is used in the Barack Obama’s first and second victory speeches to delivering a message in his speech in order that the listener interpreted the message well and modal verbs also serving as a social function to show uncertainty or politeness. Modal verbs also underlining his speech to influence others to go along with them willingness to volunteer, to give an insight or information on other people and to make other people happy with an entertaining speech so that other people happy and satisfied with the greeting that he submitted.

5.2. Suggestion

In accordance with this research, some important suggestions are required as the following:

1. Modal verbs are one aspect of language which naturally occur in every communication and can be used by anyone. Speakers, especially politicians, orators and public speakers, suggested to frequently using modal verbs to influence and deliver a message in his speech in order that the listener interpreted the message well.

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2. Modal verbs used in the Barack Obama’s first and second victory speeches is one of discourse phenomenon. Find out new phenomena to add discourse aspect and rise up newest finding.

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speeches in the first election in 2008 and the second election in 2012, 3. teaching to improve the ability to teach English and enlarges their