LINGUISTIC MARKERS OF MODALITY IN GHANAIAN PRESIDENTIAL INDEPENDENCE DAY SPEECHES

Obed Atta-Asamoah; Ebenezer Asare

Obed Atta-Asamoah St. Ambrose College of Education
Ebenezer Asare University of Cape Coast, Ghana https://orcid.org/0009-0009-6474-4213

Keywords: modality, linguistic markers, independence day speeches, ceremonial/political discourse, Ghana

Abstract

Using Halliday’s SFL theory and modality framework, this study investigates linguistic markers of modality in Ghanaian Independence Day speeches. Eight speeches of John Dramani Mahama (JDM), former president of Ghana, and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo (NADAA), current president of Ghana, were sampled. The analysis revealed that the top five linguistic indicators for modal meanings are modal auxiliary verbs, lexical verbs, adverbs, lexico-modal items and subjunctive mood. The presidents used modal verbs to state their certainty about their propositions, awareness of some factuality, ability to execute an action, probability of the occurrence of some events and their desire to see a change. JDM mostly described himself as an agent central to completing an action. NADAA, on the other hand, used modal auxiliary verbs mostly to state his confidence and certainty of the truth value in his propositions. The findings affirm the unrestricted semantic (modal) value of modal auxiliary verbs. This study provides evidence of modality use in Independence Day speeches.

Author Biography

Ebenezer Asare, University of Cape Coast, Ghana

Ebenezer Asare is pursuing his doctoral studies in English at the University of Cape Coast, Ghana. He is also a language tutor at the College for Distance and E- Learning at University of Education, Winneba and a Part-time Assistant Lecturer at Valley View University, Ghana. His research interests are genre studies and discourse analysis.