Exploring the Interpersonal Meaning in Kamala Harris’ Concession Speech

Refina Wati; Siti Fitriani; Diah Ikawati Ayuningtias

doi:10.26499/surbet.v20i2.30803

Exploring the Interpersonal Meaning in Kamala Harris’ Concession Speech

Refina Wati, Siti Fitriani, Diah Ikawati Ayuningtias

Abstract

This study purposes to analyze the types and functions of MOOD and modality in Kamala Harris concession speech. This study used descriptive qualitative research as the approach. The data in this study are collected from the video of Kamala Harris concession speech that had been uploaded in ABC7 YouTube channel. There are 56 data of MOOD types that classify based on Halliday & Matthiensen (2014) theory into three types: declarative, imperative and interrogative and there are 23 data of modality that classify into modalization and modulation. The result of this study shows that the most dominant of MOOD types is declarative because Kamala Harris often gives some information or facts and to convince her audiences to believe on what she said. In contrary, interrogative MOOD is not found in this study because the purpose of her speech is to deliver or give clear messages rather than ask questions to get some information. In addition, for the modality the writers found the most dominant data is modalization rather than modulation. It occurs because Kamala Harris more emphasizes and motivates her audience to accept the result of president election rather than focused on commenting frequency of events. The finding of this study suggests that by using clear statements and advices, a leader could maintain the respect and guide people emotions, even when admitting defeat.

Keywords

interpersonal metafunction; Kamala Harris; modality; MOOD; speech

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References

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.26499/surbet.v20i2.30803

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