The Realization of Interpersonal Meaning of Trump’s 2017 Inaugural Speech from the Perspective of Appraisal Theory
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: This study employs Appraisal Theory to analyze the realization of interpersonal meaning in Trump's 2017 inaugural address. By conducting a quantitative anal-ysis of Attitude resources in Trump's speech using the UAM Corpus Tool, cou-pled with qualitative classification, the research reveals that positive Attitudes in Trump's speech greatly outnumber negative ones, with Affect resources being frequently employed, particularly those expressing insecurity and unhappiness, in order to evoke the audience's emotions and desire for change. Moreover, the study also finds that Trump strategically balances Judgement resources, such as negatively appraising "ability," to raise awareness among listeners of the cur-rent situation and their appetite for change. The use of Appreciation resources has also bolstered national pride and a sense of optimism for the future. The re-search concludes that Trump's speech successfully established an emotional connection with the public to endorse his policies and vision, showcasing his political philosophy and leadership style.
DOI: 10.63313/llcs.9067
Author: Chu Xing
Institution: Hangzhou Normal University
Language: English
Subfield: Literature and Literary Theory
Field: Arts and Humanities
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W4412916560