Systemic Functional Analysis in Political Speeches—A Study on Xi Jinping’s Address at the 16th G20 Leaders’ Summit

Abstract

This thesis makes an analysis of Xi Jinping’s address at the 16th G20 Leaders’ Summit from the perspective of systematic functional grammar. It bases on Halliday’s theory of meta-functions, integrating ideational function, interpersonal function and textual function to analyze the social communicative message of the address. By use of the language skills of three meta-functions, president Xi conveyed his determination to safeguard the interests of the state and the government, call on all countries in the world to jointly practice true multilateralism, and promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. Also, the thesis reveals the hidden ideological meaning and social structure as well as power control relationship in discourse, highlights the core issues of the current world and emphasizes the global development strategic blueprint in the 21st century, which provides a new analytical method for us to learn about political speech.