ComparisonandConstrastinInauguralAddress.doc

Comparison and Contrast in Inaugural Address
As we all know that public speech, with a long history, is one of the most important activities among human society. Speakers want to propagandize their thoughts to the audience through the public speeches, let audience understand and accept their views and opinions, so that they can response to their calls. In order to achieve this effect, the speakers shall pay attention to the artistry and skill of speech words. As to the U.S. President's inauguration speech, it can be said that it has attracted worldwide attention, for the scene audience may be up to million of people and broadcast live at home and abroad.
Now, I will take the Inaugural Address of Obama and Kennedy for example to analyze the language features of their differences and similarities.
First of all, I want to pay more attention to analyze the language features of their similarities. The purpose of a political speech is to persuade, explain and convince people to accept their points of view and what they say so as to support them. The characteristics of these two addresses are as follows: Firstly, the order is clear because each paragraph has its own topic. Secondly, the style is rigid because they are made beforehand, so they are a sort of written language. Besides, the frequent use of biblical style or quotation also can make the address formal and rigid. In Kennedy’s Inaugural Address, there are many biblical styles, such as, the frequent use of “we pledge…”，“rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation”, “undo the heavy burdens… (and) let the oppressed go free”. Present Obama also use some biblical quotation, “…to carry forward precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation; the God—given promise that all are equal, all are free and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness…”, to make audience understand and accept easily. Thirdly, the language they used is rhetorical, such as metaphor、antithesis、simile、hyperbole and so on. The use of different rhetorical devices they employ can make their inaugural address as forceful and impressive as possible. Kennedy employ several antitheses , for example, “United，there is little we cannot do in a host of cooperative ventures．Divided，there is little we can do．for we dare not meet a powerful challenge at odds and split asunder．” Obama also use some antitheses in his address, “Where the answer is yes, we intend to move forward. Where the answer is no, program will end.” What’s more, they also employ repetition and parallel structures to gain force.
Then I will focus on their differences. In Kennedy’s address, the tone is appropriate because he employs different tones to different people. To friends, his tone is friendly and familiar, while to enemies, his tone change to angry and critical. As to Obama’s address, one obvious language feature is colloquial style. According to statistics, there are less words which contain at least six letters in Obama’s inaugural address than the former ones. Besides, Obama employs several alliterations to appeal audience’s attention and enforce the rhythm. For example, “With old friends and former foes, we will work tirelessly to lessen the nuclear threat… ”
All in all, although they have similarities and differences in their language features, these two inaugural addresses are excellent and outstanding. With so many language skills, they achieve their purposes and successfully appeal to the emotion of the audience.
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