Modal Operators and Personal Pronouns in Roosevelt’s Inaugural Addresses

Abstract

This paper tries to apply the interpersonal function of Halliday’s systemic functional grammar to analyze the interpersonal meanings of modal operators and personal pronouns in Roosevelt’s four inaugural addresses, that is, the dynamic and close relationship between the speaker and the hearers. By means of statistic method and stylistic analysis, this paper takes Roosevelt’s four inaugural speeches as objects of study, and mainly explores the interpersonal meanings of modal operators or linguistic forms so as to bring home Roosevelt’s linguistic techniques and stylistic effects. Roosevelt shows great interest in modal operators and personal pronouns to appeal to his audience’s emotional responses, to strengthen his in-group intimacy, and to convince his audience of his political purposes.