An Analysis of Interactional Metadiscourse in Public Speaking: A Case Study in English Speeches of the Prime Minister of Bhutan

Tshen Tashi,Wannaprapha Suksawas

doi:10.14419/ijet.v7i4.38.27620

Abstract

Public speaking is an act of presenting a speech to an audience with the goal of altering attitudes, actions, and sentiments, and to leave them inspired by words and impressed by meanings[1]. In general, speakers add metadiscourse markers into their speech to make it comprehensible to the audience rather than a mere exchange of information. This study principally investigated interactional metadiscourse markers used in the English speeches of Mr. Tshering Tobgay, the Honourable Prime Minister of Bhutan, delivered to international audiences on a variety of different topics. The present qualitative descriptive research focused on textual analysis using the metadiscourse model of Hyland[2] and the Appraisal theory of Martin and White[3]. The results of the study showed attitude markers ranked the highest followed by engagement markers, self-mentions, boosters, and hedges. Moreover, the study also revealed that the topics of his speeches influenced the use of the interactional metadiscourse markers of the speaker. In general, this study highlighted elements of metadiscourse markers used by the leader of the country in delivering public speeches. The present study contributed to the existing body of literature related to metadiscourse analysis, especially of spoken texts. The information from this research can be of benefit to language learners, teachers and speakers in general, who are passionate about developing speaking skills.

Highlights

The importance of English language is more than merely a means of foreign language communication, as it is used as an instructional language in teaching different subjects in schools, colleges, and training institutes except for the national language subject, Dzongkha, which is taught in Dzongkha, maintaining bilingualism
The present study investigated how interactional metadiscourse markers were employed in English speeches of the Prime Minister of Bhutan, delivered on a variety of different topics to international audiences
This study explored how interactional metadiscourse markers are employed in the English speeches of the Prime Minister of Bhutan in performing an interactional function of making the speeches more convincing, comprehensible, and interesting for the audience

Summary

Introduction

As public speaking helps to develop confidence in English speaking skills, this study aimed to understand these practices, with a focus on providing information about the features of metadiscourse used in speeches of a country leader in delivering comprehensible messages in a variety of situations. The prevailing body of studies found in spoken texts are political speeches[17], thesis defense[18], speaking ability of English language learners[19], academic lectures[20], and other generally inspiring speeches[21] These studies on spoken texts revealed that metadiscourse is clearly not a feature that speakers can dispense with when they deliver speeches. Other studies in spoken texts are encouraged and deserve more comprehensive research investigations

Objectives

Discussion

Conclusion