Rhetoric and Sociolinguistics of Political Power

Abstract

The paper is devoted to the analysis of
rhetorical and socio-linguistic peculiarities typical of Mr.
Barack Obama’s political speeches delivered at different
periods of his presidency. Thus, the present paper consists of
two parts. The first part contains the description of the
linguo-stylistic means, used by the speaker, which are aimed
at making his speeches more bright emphatic, expressive, and
intelligible. The second part, written on the ground of the
first, holds within itself brief commentary notes on sociolinguistic
peculiarities and reveals the main communicative
strategies in the President’s political behavior. These
strategies show the main tendencies in internal and foreign
policy pursued by the American President and the country he
represents on the international arena. They offer a key to the
understanding of the policy to be followed by the political
authorities in the future.