Analyse the Text of the Speech, Paying Particular Attention to the Following Features of Its Semantics and Lexical Structure: Use of Metaphor, Semantic Field, Text Type, Register, Intertextuality.
In no more than 2, 250 words, analyse the text of the speech, paying particular attention to the following features of its semantics and lexical structure: use of metaphor, semantic field, text type, register, intertextuality.
Martin Luther King was one of the main leaders of the American civil rights movement, who fought against discrimination, and made a powerful appeal for justice and equality. Looking back to the history, in 1963 the America was divided into black and white population due to racism across countries. Namely, not only institutions such as schools and churches were separated but also public places like restaurants, libraries, cafes and even toilets. Besides, all the Black people, who were also called ‘Negroes’ were even forced to use separate drinking fountains. Martin Luther King delivered his speech known under the title “I have a dream”, moving public’s consciousness and people’s hurts. This particular speech, which took place on the 28th August in 1963 in Washington D.C, made King one of the greatest orators in American history. Through his speech he wanted to pass an important message to all people, highlighting that people should be treated equally and if not at that time, he believed this should have been done for the sake of the future generations. As one of the U.S. Congressman, who also gave a speech that memorable day, John Leens stated: “Dr. King had the power, the ability and capacity to transform those steps on the Lincoln Memorial into a modern day pulpit. By speaking the way he did, he educated, he inspired, and he informed not just the people there, but people throughout America and unborn generations.” Therefore, questions worth considerations are: What made Martin Luther King’s speech so special that it was ranked as the top American Speech of the 20th century? What features of the text, he delivered, touched people’s emotions, hurts and why did he use them?
(www.wikpedia.co.uk)
King’s speech was supposed to be a
Martin Luther King was one of the main leaders of the American civil rights movement, who fought against discrimination, and made a powerful appeal for justice and equality. Looking back to the history, in 1963 the America was divided into black and white population due to racism across countries. Namely, not only institutions such as schools and churches were separated but also public places like restaurants, libraries, cafes and even toilets. Besides, all the Black people, who were also called ‘Negroes’ were even forced to use separate drinking fountains. Martin Luther King delivered his speech known under the title “I have a dream”, moving public’s consciousness and people’s hurts. This particular speech, which took place on the 28th August in 1963 in Washington D.C, made King one of the greatest orators in American history. Through his speech he wanted to pass an important message to all people, highlighting that people should be treated equally and if not at that time, he believed this should have been done for the sake of the future generations. As one of the U.S. Congressman, who also gave a speech that memorable day, John Leens stated: “Dr. King had the power, the ability and capacity to transform those steps on the Lincoln Memorial into a modern day pulpit. By speaking the way he did, he educated, he inspired, and he informed not just the people there, but people throughout America and unborn generations.” Therefore, questions worth considerations are: What made Martin Luther King’s speech so special that it was ranked as the top American Speech of the 20th century? What features of the text, he delivered, touched people’s emotions, hurts and why did he use them?
(www.wikpedia.co.uk)
King’s speech was supposed to be a
Bibliography: ➢ Carson, C (1987) “They Eyes on the Prize Civil Rights Leader”, (USA: Viking Penguin), ➢ Harries, K (1978) “Critical Inquiry: special issues on metaphor”, P ➢ Fish, S (1994) “There is no such thing as Free Speech”, (Oxford: Oxford University Press), ➢ Wood, A; Kroger O (2000) “Doing Discourse Analysis”, p. 134, (USA: Saga) Websites: