The Mood Types Analysis in Script of Nelson Mandela’s Speech at the United Nations Special Committee against Apartheid

Abstract

Nelson Mandela's impactful speeches at the United Nations Special Committee against Apartheid have drawn considerable attention due to his global influence and eloquence in English. This study examines the mood types present in Mandela's speeches, focusing on their role within the interpersonal metafunction. Utilising a qualitative descriptive method, the researcher analysed a speech delivered by Mandela, sourcing data from a public address archived on the American Rhetoric website. The analysis involved labelling clause elements, segmenting clauses into mood and residue, and classifying mood types. The findings revealed that the distribution of mood types in Mandela's speech was as follows: Declarative accounted for 62%, Imperative for 19%, and Interrogative for 19%. Results showed a predominance of Declarative mood, indicating Mandela's emphasis on providing information and asserting historical events. Imperative mood was utilised for calls to action, while Interrogative mood prompted audience engagement. This research sheds light on Mandela's rhetorical strategies and the significance of mood types in his speeches.