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Linguistic Modality in Ghanaian President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s 2017 Inaugural Address

Authors: IDOWU Olubunmi , & Owuye Opeyemi

Publication Type: Journal article

Journal: European Journal Of Social Sciences Issn 1450-2267

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Abstract

Politics is a struggle for power in order to put certain political, economic and social ideas into practice. In this process, language plays a crucial role, for every political action is prepared, accompanied, influenced and played by language. One of the key factors that determine the success of political figures in reaching their goals and winning the public consensus in this continuous power struggle is their ability to persuade and impress their audience that they are trustworthy to accomplish their promises. This is very typical of most inaugural speeches; most elected candidates during their inaugural speeches raise the hopes of their audience by persuading, and strongly affirming the benefits their tenure in power would bring. They do this by the use of distinct language tools to achieve the sole purpose of impressing on their audience their integrity and virtuosity. Following the same purpose, this paper aims to investigate the use of linguistic modals in President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s 2017 Inaugural Address. Using the concept of modality within the framework of Halliday’s Systemic Functional Linguistics, this study investigates how the President elect of Ghana persuades his audience through the subtle linguistic tool of modality in the speech that he is capable and credible to lead them. The findings of this study reveal that there are seventy three linguistic modals in President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s Inaugural Address. The classifications of the identified modals based on their communicational functions are; possibility, proposition, obligation, commitment, certainty and wish. The use of modals expressing commitment has the highest percentage which reveals the level of persuasion and dedication the President has towards the Ghanaian people to serve them selflessly.

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IDOWU,O. Owuye,O. . (2019). Linguistic Modality in Ghanaian President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s 2017 Inaugural Address, 58 (), 134-134.

IDOWU,O. Owuye,O. . "Linguistic Modality in Ghanaian President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s 2017 Inaugural Address" 58, no (), (2019): 134-134.

IDOWU,O. and Owuye,O. and . (2019). Linguistic Modality in Ghanaian President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s 2017 Inaugural Address, 58 (), pp134-134.

IDOWUO, OwuyeO, . Linguistic Modality in Ghanaian President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s 2017 Inaugural Address. 2019, 58 ():134-134.

IDOWU,Olubunmi , and Owuye,Opeyemi . "Linguistic Modality in Ghanaian President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s 2017 Inaugural Address", 58 . (2019) : 134-134.

I.Olubunmi & O.Opeyemi , "Linguistic Modality in Ghanaian President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s 2017 Inaugural Address" vol.58, no., pp. 134-134, 2019.

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