The Speech Act of Promising in Political Speeches: A Case Study of Obama’s Speeches

Authors

  • Dorinë Rakaj University ‘‘Ukshin Hoti’’Prizren

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17507/jltr.1305.02

Keywords:

commissive, campaigns, promise, performative, speech acts

Abstract

This study tried to present a pragmatic analysis of the act of promising made by Barack Obama during the presidential campaigns of 2008 and 2012. It utilized a qualitative approach and the data were collected through speeches. However, this study also employed a quantitative method to calculate and present the frequency of promising utterances and performative verbs and their percentages. The researcher used Searle’s taxonomy to analyze Obama’s speeches. The findings showed that assuring, confirming, and reconfirming were the most frequent intentions of the speaker’s speeches during the two election campaigns. Further analysis revealed that Obama used the performative verb ‘‘promise’’ in 7 samples. Moreover, the study showed that the speaker used the modal verb ‘‘will’’ and the form ‘‘be going to + infinitive’’ as ways of promising instead of the performative verb ʻʻpromise.’’ Based on the results of the study, it can be concluded that further studies should be conducted in other contexts to obtain more comprehensive data regarding the act of promising.

 

Author Biography

Dorinë Rakaj, University ‘‘Ukshin Hoti’’Prizren

Department of English Language and Literature

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Published

2022-09-01

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Articles