The lexis of both texts contains a high register and is written formally as reflected in vocabulary such as “pre-eminently” and “perils” from the original and “discretion” and conquer” from my text. This highlights the seriousness of the issue and gives confidence in the intellect and capacity of the speaker. Both speeches use the first person, beginning singularly and then introducing the plural forms of “we” and “our”. This helps to create a personal tone, important in demonstrating the responsibilities of a leader, and then becoming part of a wider, collective group with the use of first person plural…”We must succeed.” This stresses how everyone has a role in making changes happen.
Semantic features include the uses of colours to connote a mood or feeling. For example the original text includes “dark realities” and “dark days”, while my own writing uses “oasis of green in a grey world”. Both the use of “dark” and “grey” connote a world suffering problems and create a negative effect. This also emphasises the absence of colour, joy and hope. However, my text used the colour green to suggest change is possible and it relates to the environment and nature. Furthermore the text included a range of metaphors such as “the means of exchange are frozen in the currents of trade” and also “the withered leaves of industrial enterprise lie on every side” which both suggest and compare the economy to winter when things do not grow, but remain dormant or shrink. However, the unspoken implication is that Spring follows Winter and things will improve and grow again. This technique is used in my speech in the “oasis of green” which implies something beautiful and natural in a “grey world” and also “swamps of despair” and “seas of pollution” use natural imagery to paint a negative picture, yet the qualifier “not” gives hope that this will not happen.
Grammatically, the text includes a range of abstract nouns to emphasise feelings and emotions, or big human concepts. These include “truth”, “happiness” and joy” to create a positive focus in spite of all the doubts. The repetition of the noun “truth” along with synonyms such as “candor” and “frankness” lends strength to the credibility of the speaker’s words and message. Similarly, in my text the words “honesty and discretion” perform the same task. Furthermore adjectives and noun phrases are used to create a harsh impression of the current situation. The examples “grim problem”, “unscrupulous money lenders” and “senseless destruction” taken from both texts emphasise the difficult situation faced at the moment and how the realities must be faced.
The sentences are declarative “True, they have tried…” which appear confident and give opinions as facts. I also used this technique “we will…” and the modal “will” to stress confidence, part of the purpose of the speech, and inspire the listeners. There are numerous complex sentences with subordinating clauses which explain or emphasise the point made. In the sentence beginning “So first of all…” the president goes on to explain the nature of terror “nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror…” and this adds depth to his point that it is fear which creates the biggest problem. I used a similar techniques in the sentence Now is the time to face the truth, to stand up for what is right and good,” to emphasise the poine and explin what is meant by “facing the truth”.
Phonological features include alliteration in both texts. For instance, “pride of place and personal profit” uses plosive sounds to create a harsh, negative tone criticising some people’s attitude towards money. Similarly “selfish, senseless destruction” has capitalised on the sibilant sound to create a bitter, angry sound effect.
To conclude, both texts generate some negative images, however ultimately they describe how humans can succeed in the most difficult circumstances and they aim to inspire confidence and a will to succeed in the listeners.
