conceptual metaphor analysis in george w. bush and...

CONCEPTUAL METAPHOR ANALYSIS IN GEORGE W. BUSH AND

BARACK OBAMA INAUGURAL ADDRESS

A Thesis

Submitted to Letters and Humanities Faculty

in Partial Fulfillment of The Requirements for

The Degree of Strata One

YULIANA KUSLAMBANGNINGRUM

NIM. 1110026000014

ENGLISH LETTERS DEPARTMENT

LETTERS AND HUMANITIES FACULTY

STATE ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY OF SYARIF HIDAYATULLAH

JAKARTA

2015

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ABSTRACT

Yuliana Kuslambangningrum, Conceptual Metaphor Analysis in George W.

Bush and Barack Obama Inaugural Address. Thesis: English Letters Department,

Letters and Humanities Faculty, State Islamic University of Syarif Hidayatullah

Jakarta, December 2014.

The purpose of this research is to analyze the conceptual metaphor of

George W. Bush and Barack Obama inaugural address, which metaphor is mostly

found in formal speeches such as inaugural address. In this case, the aims of this

research are: (1) to convey the concepts and meanings of the metaphorical

expression, (2) to convey the functions of the metaphorical expression used by

George W. Bush and Barack Obama.

The method of this research is using qualitative descriptive analysis. The

research questions will be answered in analytical description. The collected

metaphorical expression have picked up randomly then classified based on the

same concept. The concept of metaphorical expressions are analyzed by using

George Lakoff and Mark Johnson theory which the concept elaborated into

mappings to see the relations between source domain and target domain that leads

to understand the meaning and also to convey the function of metaphorical

expression by Leech.

The result of this research shows that there are eighteen data collected

from random sampling. Those collected data showed nine concepts which mostly

found based on the metaphorical expression mapping. The mapping process had

proven that the meaning of metaphor can be easier to understand so, the message

of the speech delivered successfully to the listener. The functions of metaphorical

expressions consist of five functions, but only four of five functions found in

those speeches.

Keywords: Conceptual Metaphor, Source Domain, Target Domain, Mappings,

Comparing One to Another, Lakoff and Johnson, Inaugural Address.

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DECLARATION

I hereby declare that this submission is my own work and that, to the best of my

knowledge and belief, it contains no material previously published or written by

another person nor material which to a substantial extent has been accepted for the

award of any other degree or diploma of the university or other institute of higher

learning, except where due acknowledgement has been made in the text.

Jakarta, February 6th,

2015.

Yuliana Kuslambangningrum

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim

In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent and the most Merciful.

All praises be to Allah SWT, the Lord of universe, for the opportunity to

be in this level of life, becoming a bachelor of arts. May peace and salutation be

upon the honorable prophet Muhammad SAW and all of his family, companions

and adherents.

Deepest gratitude goes to her beloved parents, Joko Susanto and Sri

Mulyani, for all their great love, patience, support and prayer. Thanks for

becoming the greatest strength and supporter of her life. The writer also gives the

highest appreciations to Mr. Hilmi Akmal, M.Hum and Mrs. Yenny Rahmawati,

M.Ed, as her advisors for their precious time, help, patience and motivation from

the beginning to the final step of this research.

The gratitude is also dedicated to Prof. Dr. Oman Fathurahman, M.Hum,

the Dean of Letters and Humanities Faculty; Mr. Dr. H. Muhammad Farkhan,

M.Pd, the Assistant of Dean of Letters and Humanities Faculty; Mr. Drs.

Saefuddin, M.Pd, the Head of English Letters Department; Mrs. Elve Oktafiyani,

M.Hum, the Secretary of English Letters Department; and all the lecturers of

English Letters Department for the valuable knowledge and experience at UIN

Jakarta.

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In addition to those listed, the writer also would like to give appreciation

to the following friends and people, namely:

1. Her room companion, Laila Fajriah, who always listen to her up and

down life experiences. Thank you for sharing everything.

2. English Letters B and Linguistic A, thank you for the cooperation in

studying English together in the last 4 years. Success for all of us!

3. KELUARGA HAHA consists of Debi Novianingrum, Fithria

Luthfiyani, Bagus Putra Ramadhansya, Rana Meisara, Thia Askayuli,

Fahmi Fahrurroji and Muhammad Sazali, thank you for the

unstoppable laugh sharing in every meeting. Hopefully, our friendship

will last forever.

4. KKN BARISTA 2013; Ipeh, Fera, Okta, Uung, Ummi, Kiki, Vale,

Aceng, Bewok, Uda, Murdok, Mul, Bang Wahyu, Kopet, Icang, I‟am.

Thank you for the laugh, tears, togetherness, and every unexpected

journey in Sukajaya.

5. Yahya Arian Dani, thank u 4 sharing every single thing in the last 5

years.

6. Marc Márquez, who entertain every races with passion and ambition of

a young rider. Mas rapido, Mas Marquez. Gaaas!

Jakarta, February 2015

The Writer

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LIST OF TABLE

Table 2.1 : Elements of Metaphor …………………………………………….

Table 2.2 : Mapping the relation of ARGUMENT IS WAR …………………

Table 3.1 :Metaphorical Expression, Conceptual Metaphor, Meaning and

Function from George W. Bush and Barack Obama Inaugural

Address ……………………………………………………………..

Table 3.1.1 : Mapping of NATION IS PERSON ……………………………….

Table 3.2.1 : Mapping of CRISIS IS SICK ……………………………………..

Table 3.3.1 : Mapping of NATION AS FAMILY ……………………………...

Table 3.4.1 : Mapping of PROBLEM IS STORM ……………………………...

Table 3.5.1 : Mapping of FIRE IS ATTACK …………………………………..

Table 3.6.1 : Mapping of SPIRIT IS FIRE ……………………………………..

Table 3.7.1 : Mapping of LIFE IS JOURNEY …………………………………

Table 3.8.1 : Mapping of RELATIONSHIP IS PLANTING …………………..

Table 3.9.1 : Mapping of TIME IS PERSON …………………………………..

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABSTRACT …………………………………………………………….……....

APPROVAL SHEET ……………………………………………..……………

LEGALIZATION …………………………………………………..…….……

DECLARATION …………………………………………………….….……..

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ………………………………………….……...….

THE LIST OF TABLE ……………………………………………………….

TABLE OF CONTENTS …………………………………………………….

CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION ……………………………………………..

A. Background of Research .……….……………………

B. Focus of Research ……………………………………

C. Research Questions ………………………………..…

D. Significance of Research ……………………………..

E. Research Methodology …………………………….....

1. Objective of the Research ………………………...

2. The Method of Research ………………………....

3. Technique of Data Collecting and Data Analysis…

4. Research Instrument ………………………………

5. Unit of Analysis …………………………………..

CHAPTER II . THEORETICAL DESCRIPTION …………………………

A. Previous Research ………………………………….

B. Concept …………………………………………….

1. Discourse Analysis ………..……………………

2. Metaphor ………..………………………………

2.1 Conceptual Metaphor Theory ………………

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2.2 Function of Metaphorical Expression ………

CHAPTER III. RESEARCH FINDINGS ……………..……………………

A. Data Description …..………….…………………….

B. Data Analysis ………..………….…………………..

CHAPTER IV. CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTION …………………….

A. Conclusion ...………………………………………..

B. Suggestion ..…………………………………….…...

BIBLIOGRAPHY ………………………………………………….………….

APPENDICES …………………………………………………………….…...

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1

CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

A. Background of the Research

Kridalaksana defined language as a system of arbitrary symbols used by

members of social group to work together, communicate, and identify

themselves.1

Generally, language has two terms of meaning, literal meaning and non-

literal meaning. Literal meaning assumed to be conventionalized. It doesn‟t

need any special interpretation effort to understand. On the other hand, non-

literal meaning is assumed to be non-conventionalized. Thus, it needs a special

interpretation effort to understand. The term non-literal meaning is used to

differentiate from literal meaning, a meaning that is derived from the latter

and, in a sense has a secondary status. Therefore, it is traditionally assumed

that in terms of the enfolding of the interpretation process, the literal meaning

of an expression is processed first, whereas any potential non-literal meaning

are processed afterwards and only if the literal interpretation doesn‟t fit the

given context.2 Non-literal uses of language are traditionally called figurative

language and described by a lot of rhetorical terms.

The most common rhetorical term used in discourse is metaphor.

Generally, metaphors are not literally easy to understand, because they have a

1Harimurti Kridalaksana, ”Bahasa dan Linguistik” in Kushartanti, Untung Yuwono,

Multamia RMT Lauder (Ed.), Pesona Bahasa; Langkah Awal Memahami Linguistik, (Jakarta:

Gramedia Pustaka Utama, 2005). p. 3 2Kristin Börjesson, “The Notions of Literal and Non-literal Meaning in Semantics and

Pragmatics”- Doctoral Degree Disertation, Philologischen Fakultät, Universität Leipzig. 2011. p. 3

2

special character that literal expression doesn‟t.3 Although metaphorical

meaning has a special characteristic that distinguish from the literal meaning,

it has the same basic function to understand as in literal meaning. Metaphor is

hard to understand by most of people, but in political discourse metaphor is

commonly used by politicians to inform political events, because it assumed to

be easier to understand by using metaphor instead of using the literal one.

Moreover, metaphor usually used for aesthetic or rhetorical purpose, such as

in inaugural address.4

Inaugural address is a formal speech which is delivered by the president

of United States, on Inauguration Day, January 20; soon after swear the oath

of office. The president delivers an inaugural address to the people for the new

administration.5 In political speeches, such inaugural address, metaphor is

important to help the listener easier to understand the complex matter in

political ideas. The used of metaphor as a part of figurative language aims to

help the listener to visualize what is meant by a phrase or expression, although

for most of people metaphor is hard to be understood. The goal for politicians

is not only to present facts, but also to be persuasive. The speaker needs to

use their language to show emotions and affect the audience. The orator

doesn‟t have to modify the facts when using metaphoric language, the

3 William Croft and D. Alan Cruse, Cognitive Linguistics (Cambridge: 2004). p.194 4David L. Ritchie, Metaphor (Cambridge, 2013). p. 5

5Ida Vestermark. “Metaphors in Politics Essay; A Study of The Metaphorical

Personification of America in Political Discourse”. Department of Language and Culture, Luleå

University of Technology, 2007. p. 3

3

response to the address depends on the interpretation in the mind of the

listener.6

Metaphor is pervasive in our daily life not only in language, but also in

thought and action. We understand them immediately so that we do not need

to pay attention to their metaphorical expression. Metaphor are conceived and

grasped with the same facility as our ordinary literal vocabulary. There is no

problem in understanding metaphor; the problem is to explain how we

understand them. According to Lakoff and Johnson metaphor is a property of

concepts, so metaphor can be understood by elaborating the conceptual

metaphor. In conceptual metaphors, one domain of experience is used to

understand another domain of experience.

The characterization of conceptual metaphor is set of mapping, in which

this set of mappings obtains between basic constituent elements of the source

domain and basic constituent elements of the target. To know a conceptual

metaphor is to know the set of mappings that provide much of the meaning of

the metaphorical linguistic expression that make a particular conceptual

metaphor manifest7. By this mapping process we can comprehend the meaning

of metaphor easier.

Therefore, in this research, the writer try to find the conceptual metaphor

that can explain how the metaphor can be understood by using conceptual

metaphor theory conducted by Lakoff and Johnson, in two inaugural addresses

6Ibid.p.1

7 Zoltán Kövecses, Metaphor: A Practical Introduction (Second Edition), (Oxford:

Oxford University Press, 2010). p. 14

4

delivered by George W. Bush and Barack Obama in their first and second

term of presidential. Conceptual metaphor theory elaborates the correlation

between two conceptual domains called mapping which also leads to

understanding the meaning of metaphor.

B. Focus of the Research

This research focused on how the metaphor can be understood by

elaborating the conceptual metaphor found in speeches; explained the meaning

and the function of metaphorical language used by George W. Bush and

Barack Obama on their Inaugural Address.

C. Research Questions

1. What are the conceptual metaphors and what are the meanings of

the metaphors used by George W. Bush and Barack Obama?

2. What are the functions of the metaphorical expression used by

George W. Bush and Barack Obama?

D. Significance of the Research

1. To convey how metaphor understood by elaborating mapping

process from conceptual metaphor theory conducted by Lakoff

and Johnson and also to conveying the meaning of metaphor

which much more seen in the mapping process too.

2. To convey the function of its metaphor used in Inaugural Address

by George W. Bush and Barack Obama by using the function of

metaphorical expression theory conducted by Leech.

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E. Research Methodology

1. Objectives of the Research

The objectives of this research are to elaborate the conceptual

metaphors that lead to understand the meaning and also to

convey their function of George W. Bush and Barack Obama‟s

Inaugural address.

2. Research Method

The method of this research is using qualitative analysis. A

research with qualitative method is a research relying on verbal

and non numerical data as the basis of analysis and of solving the

problem appears8. The result of this research will be described in

analytical description. Meanwhile, this research will be analyzed

with conceptual metaphor theory by George Lakoff and Mark

Johnson. The analysis will be elaborated the conceptual metaphor

that lead to find the meaning and the function of metaphorical

expression based on conceptual metaphor theory.

3. Technique of Data Collecting and Data Analysis

In this research, the technique of data collecting will use

bibliography technique (teknik kepustakaan). According to

Subroto, this technique used written sources to collect data using

semantic field in data collection. 9

Therefore the relevant data

will be included with the context sentence in each data. The

8 Muhammad Farkhan, Proposal Penelitian Bahasa dan Sastra (Jakarta: Cella, 2007), p.2 9 D. Edi Subroto, Pengantar Metode Penelitian Linguistik Struktural (Surakarta: Sebelas

Maret University Press, 1992), p. 42

6

metaphorical expression will be observed directly. It will be

noted into data cards based on two inaugural addresses delivered

by George W. Bush and Barack Obama. When collecting data

cards are complete, then data cards will be shuffled and picked

up randomly. After that, the chosen data will be classified based

on the concepts which are found in the metaphorical linguistic

expression. The next step is finding the mapping to see the

relation between source domain and target domain in the concept.

The meaning of the metaphor will be much more seen from this

mapping. The last is identifying the function of the metaphorical

expression used in four inaugural addresses.

4. Research Instrument

The research instrument used on this research is the writer herself

by using chosen data card taken from four inaugural addresses

that has metaphorical language.

5. Unit of Analysis

The unit analyses of the research are the first in 2001 and the

second in 2005 George W. Bush inaugural address and the first

in 2009 and the second in 2013 Barack Obama inaugural address.

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CHAPTER II

THEORETICAL DESCRIPTION

A. Previous Research

Research about metaphor has been analyzed by many people, such as

Ida Vestermark entitled Metaphors in Politics: A Study of the Metaphorical

Personification of America in Political Discourse. This paper observed the

conceptual metaphors of personification in American inaugural addresses, for

what the metaphor are used and what do they suggest to the audience. The

analysis proved that all presidents used metaphors in personalizing America to

activate the emotions of the listener. The analysis also revealed the importance

of interpreting metaphors based on the context, because sometimes the

language not always interprets metaphorically.10

The same theory has been used by a student of Indonesian Studies in

University of Indonesia, Eko Prasetyo Rahardjo entitled Metafora

Pengungkapan Cinta Pada Pantun Melayu, which observed the metaphor of

love expression from a chapter of Malay Pantun named “Cinta yang Berjaya”.

The objective of the analysis is to identify the metaphorical terms of love

expression and describe the relation between source and target domain by

using conceptual mapping. The analysis discovered that metaphorical

language which describe abstract things and difficult to explain can be much

more understandable. Identified words and phrases also explained metaphor

10 Ida Vestermark, Extended Essay: “Metaphors in Politics Essay; A Study of The

Metaphorical Personification of America in Political Discourse”, (Department of Language and

Culture, Luleå University of Technology, 2007).

8

that used by Malay society. Context of culture may influence the mapping

process of conceptualization of metaphorical phrases from Bahasa Indonesia

with the theory based on English which has a different language and culture

background from Bahasa Indonesia.11

Another analysis about metaphor wrote by Aizul Maula, a student of

English Letters in State Islamic University Jakarta, the research is a

comparative analytical study about the translations of metaphors in the Holy

Qur‟an, using the concept from James Dickin that divide the types of

metaphor and the techniques of translations to find how metaphors in the Holy

Qur‟an are translated into English by the four translators. The analysis resulted

that the five techniques from four English translators of the Holy Qur‟an are

accurate in one verse, but inaccurate in the other verse because of their variety

of background. The beautiful form of metaphor sometimes lost when it is

translated into sense only. It is not always guaranteed that one technique

would be the best for translating metaphor without any classification.12

Not so different from the previous analysis, Lailiyyatuz Zuhriyyah, a

student of English Letters in State Islamic University Jakarta, also focused on

types and added the meaning explanation of metaphor and metonymy in the

Breaking Dawn novel using Lakoff and Johnson theory to show how

metaphorical and metonymical expressions may give understanding deeper

11 Eko Prasetyo Rahardjo, Unpublished Bachelor Thesis: “Metafora Pengungkapan Cinta

Pada Pantun Melayu”, (Fakultas Ilmu Pengetahuan Budaya, University of Indonesia, 2009). 12 Aizul Maula, Unpublished Bachelor Thesis: “A Metaphor Translation of The Holy

Qur‟an: A Comparative Analytical Study”, (Faculty of Letters and Humanity, UIN Syarif

Hidayatullah Jakarta, 2011).

9

than literal one because they are more expressive and evokes a particular sense

which can help the readers to conceive what the author means. This research

concluded the usage of metaphor is not completely different from the literal

meaning because it is just the matter of meaning extension.13

The last analysis wrote by Bintarti Mayang Sari, with the title

Metafora Dalam Pidato Charles De Gaulle Pada Perang Dunia II. The

analysis focused on metaphor categorization and its meaning from an

independence speech delivered by a French politician named De Gaulle, using

Lakoff and Johnson conceptual metaphor theory to show how a politics

speech can be easier to understand by the listener and also can be easier to

deliver by De Gaulle to share his concepts and point of view toward the actual

situation in France. In this analysis, there are several concepts of metaphor

used by De Gaulle to made French society easier to access De Gaulle‟s

message. Metaphor in his speech showed the concept of his state of mind as a

leader of French, toward the complicated actual situation in World War II to

achieve real independence.14

The previous researches above haven‟t mentioned the function of

metaphorical language; therefore this is the obvious reason why this research

will be seen as newer and interesting research to analyze.

13 Lailiyyatuz Zuhriyyah, Unpublished Bachelor Thesis: “An Analysis of Metaphor and

Metonymy on Stephenie Meyer‟s Novel Breaking Dawn”, (Faculty of Letters and Humanity, UIN

Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, 2011). 14 Binarti Mayang Sari, Unpublished Bachelor Thesis: “Metafora Dalam Pidato Charles

De Gaulle Pada Perang Dunia II”, (Fakultas Ilmu Pengetahuan Budaya, University of Indonesia,

2012).

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B. Concept

1. Discourse Analysis

According to Untung Yuwono:

“Wacana adalah kesatuan makna (semantis) antarbagian di dalam suatu

bangun bahasa. Wacana dilihat sebagai bangun bahasa yang utuh karena

setiap bagian di dalam wacana itu berhubungan secara padu.”15

Based on opinion above the definition of discourse is a complete unit of

language, it is more than text or stretch in written or utterance. It consists

of more than one sentence and those sentences combine to form a

meaningful whole. In a meaningful form, discourse can be seen as a

complete set of language, because each sentences or each part of discourse

related coherently. Therefore, discourse can be easily understood because

of the coherent sentences combination that leads into meaningful form.

Discourse analysis is concerned with the knowledge about

language beyond the word, clause, phrase and sentence that is needed for

successful communication. Therefore, the main focus of discourse analysis

is both to show and interpret the relationship between the meanings and

purposes expressed through discourse.16

Discourse usually refers to a form

of language use, public speeches or more generally to spoken language or

15 Untung Yuwono, “Wacana” in Kushartanti, Untung Yuwono, Multamia RMT Lauder

(Ed.), Pesona Bahasa; Langkah Awal Memahami Linguistik, (Jakarta: Gramedia Pustaka Utama,

2005). p.7

16 David Nunan, Introduction to Discourse Analysis, (London: Penguin Books, 1993). p.

7

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ways of speaking. However, language use is not only limited to spoken

language but also in written language, communication and interaction,

textbooks and others which refer to the same meaning. Communicative

event is the function aspect that embodies in discourse. That is the reason

why people use language to communicate their ideas or beliefs (or to

express emotion) as part of more complex social events.17

However, sometimes we found metaphorical expression in some

discourse in order to gain successful communication especially in speech.

The used of metaphor as a tool to uncover people‟s idea, attitudes, and

values can be observe through discourse analysis.18

It is because the used

of metaphor expression has an attractive function to avoid the listener

getting bored easily by using indirect expression. Also, in discourse

studies, metaphor attracts to be analyzed about how we see and understand

something in reality through language.19

Lakoff and Johnson viewed

metaphor as a cognitive device for understanding or experiencing one kind

of thing or experience in terms of another. For instance, in the sentence

that cost me a lot of time, we can see that time is often viewed as economic

factor; the TIME IS MONEY metaphor is illogical in that sentence since

“time” which consider as abstract concept can be understood as “money”

17 Teun A. Van Dijk, Discourse as Structure and Process, (London: Sage Publications,

1997). p. 2 18 Lynne Cameron; Maslen, Robert; Todd, Zazie; Maule, John; Stratton, Peter and

Stanley, Neil, The Discourse Dynamics Approach to Metaphor-Led Discourse Analysis and

Symbol (Journal Article), (The Open University, 2009). p. 3

19 Jan Renkema, Introduction to Discourse Studies, (Philadelphia: John Benjamin

Publishing, 2004). p. 252

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which has more concrete concept. This metaphor in discourse attracts the

reader or listener because it has unusual way to communicate but still has

the same meaning as the usual way. Moreover, in understanding a concept

of metaphor it needs context to support the idea of the metaphor concept

that leads to understand the meaning.

Context refers to an ever-widening set of factors that accompany

language in use. Context is the other characteristic of the social situation or

communicative event that systematically influence text or talk.20

There are

two types of context. The first is the linguistic context, the language that

surrounds or accompanies the piece of discourse under analysis. The

second is the non-linguistic or experiential context within which discourse

takes place.21

Non-linguistic context include: the type of communicative

event (for instance joke, story, lecture, greeting, conversation); the topic;

the purpose of the event; the setting, including location, time of day,

season of year and physical aspects of the situation (for instance, size of

the room, arrangement of furniture); the participants and the relationships

between them; and the background knowledge and assumptions

underlying the communicative event. In the case of discourse analysis, the

main purpose is to show and to interpret the meaning and purposes which

expressed through discourse.

20 Ibid. p. 3 21 David Nunan (1992) , Op.cit. p.8

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2. Metaphor

Metaphor is one of the usages of figurative language, when a

speaker use an expression figuratively he or she feels that no literal use

will give the same effect.22

Metaphor allows us to understand one domain

of experience in terms of another. To serve this function, there must be

some grounding, some concepts that are not completely understood via

metaphor to serve as source domains. To analyze metaphor there are three

things to be consider, they are the metaphor (a word or phrase or longer

stretch of language), its meanings (what it refers to metaphorically), and

the similarity or connection between the two.23

There are three ways to

identify metaphor they are vehicle, topic and grounds.

Table 2.1 Elements of metaphor

Context Be prepared for the mountain of paperwork

vehicle/metaphor Mountain

topic/meaning a large amount

grounds/connection

ideas of size, being immovable, and difficult to deal

with

Vehicle is the comparison concept or the analogy, whereas a topic

is the starting point or described concept. Grounds is the relationship

22 William Croft & D. Alan Cruse, Cognitive Linguistics, (Cambridge, 2004) p. 193 23 Muray Knowles & Rosamund Moon (2005),Op.cit. p. 7

14

between the literal and metaphorical meanings which provide the key to

how effective that vehicle is.24

There are some kinds of metaphor; creative (novel) metaphor, and

conventional metaphor.25

Creative metaphor or novel metaphor is often

correlated to literature which is using literary language is the characteristic

of this kind of metaphor. It is when which writer or speaker constructs to

express a particular idea or feeling in a particular context and which a

reader or hearer needs to deconstruct in order to understand the meaning.

For instance, Shakespeare and Yeats create poetic effects by creating new

images with all the world is a stage, the slings and arrows of outrageous

fortune and dolphin-torn, that gong-tormented sea. Conventional

metaphor is the metaphorical usages which are found many times to refer

to a particular thing. For instance, in the metaphor of cells fighting-off

infection and micro organism invading and the metaphorical meanings of

divorced as completely separated and field as specialized subject or

activity.26

These kinds of metaphor are known as a part of the language. In

fact, they are metaphorical usages that hardly to recognize and sometimes

used to refer to dead metaphor which people do not recognize as

metaphorical in ordinary usages.

24 Ibid, p.7 25Ibid, p.7 26 Ibid, p.7

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2.1.Conceptual Metaphor Theory

Lakoff and Johnson describe metaphor as follows:

“The essence of metaphor is understanding and experiencing one kind of

thing in terms of another”.27

The conceptual theory of metaphor is primary to find metaphorical

mapping between domains and how they guided human reasoning and

behavior. The concepts that our ordinary conceptual system includes

structured what we perceived, how we get around the world, and how we

relate to other people.28

When one conceptual domain is understood in terms of another

conceptual domain, we have conceptual metaphor. This understanding is

achieved by seeing a set of systematic correspondences, or mappings,

between the two domains. Conceptual metaphors can be given by means

of the formula A IS B or A AS B, where A and B indicate different

conceptual domains.

These following examples are conceptual metaphor:

ARGUMENT IS WAR

TIME IS MONEY

LOVE IS JOURNEY

THEORIES ARE BUILDING

IDEAS ARE FOOD

27 George Lakoff & Mark Johnson, Metaphor We Live By, (Chicago: The University of

Chicago Press, 1980) p. 5

28Ibid, p.4

16

From the example above, ARGUMENT, TIME, LOVE, THEORIES and

IDEAS are called as target domain. WAR, MONEY, JOURNEY,

BUILDING and FOOD are called as source domain. Target domain is the

domain that we try to understand through the use of source domain.

Source domain is the domain which supports the literal meaning of the

expression, whereas the target domain is the domain that the sentence is

actually talking about.

The main type of evidence given for the existence of conceptual

metaphor called metaphorical linguistic expressions. Metaphorical

linguistic expressions are words and expressions come from terminology

of the conceptual domain that is used to understand another conceptual

domain.

(1) “He attacked every weak point in my argument”

(2) “I demolished his argument”

(3) “Your claims are indefensible”

(4) “He shot down all of my arguments”

(5) “His criticisms were right on target”

The underlined words are linguistic expressions which refer to how

the argument can be reflected as a war. When we use attack, demolished,

indefensible, shot down and target to talk about ARGUMENT, these

metaphorical expressions comes from the domain of WAR. The fact is

those expressions are not only refer to some war terms but also to form a

human cognition based on the used concept. Everybody can be completely

17

win or lose in an argument, to win an argument they have to use a strategy

and if they don‟t have a strong strategy or weapons they will lose and their

weak argument can be easily defeated. Many of things we do in arguing

are partially structured by the concept of war.29

Correspondences/mappings

There is a set of systematic correspondences between the source

and the target in the sense that constituent conceptual elements of target

domain correspond to constituent elements of source domain.30

In short,

there is a connection or correlation between concept areas in

correspondence or mapping terms. For instance, in the source domain

WAR is a defensive barricade or line of soldiers which is this concept area

is represents idealized, traditional and notions of war. In the target domain

ARGUMENT this corresponds to the data, facts, or belief which someone

has and uses to reinforce their position. The weak points in barricade or

line of soldiers which enemies are looking for to attack in order to win the

war is just the same as the weak points in argument for instance

incomplete data, incorrect information and false beliefs that might leads to

defeat. Here are the mappings to support the conceptual metaphor of

ARGUMENT IS WAR

29 Ibid, p. 4 30 Zoltán Kövecses, Metaphor: A Practical Introduction (Second Edition), (Oxford:

Oxford University Press, 2010). p. 7

18

Table 2.2 Mapping, the relation of ARGUMENT and WAR31

Source: WAR Target: ARGUMENT

War contenders People arguing

War strategies (tactics, high

technology weapons, strong

fortress)

Strategies for arguing (strong

argument, facts, and beliefs)

To win or lose a battle To win or lose an argument

To stop fighting To stop arguing

Highlighting and Hiding

Not all concepts from source domain can be applied to target

domain. When a source domain is applied to a target domain, only some

aspects are brought into focus. Highlighting refer to the selective mapping

of source domain features onto target domain.32

For instance, in the

metaphor ARGUMENT IS WAR, only partial features from WAR can be

applied to ARGUMENT. This metaphor highlights conflict and business

of winning or losing (such as attacking, defending, and making strategy to

gain victory) and hiding other possibilities such as agreement,

reconcilement, armistice and compromise. The other features opposite

from highlighting called hiding.

31

Lakoff, George, The Contemporary Theory of Metaphor in Andrew Ortony (ed),

Metaphor and Thought (2nd ed). Cambridge : Cambridge University Press, 1993

32Murray Knowles & Rosamund Moon (2005), Op.cit. p. 33

19

Moreover, a source or target domain may have multiple mappings

that represent different sets of concepts in each mapping.33

For example,

the target domain ARGUMENT has three source domains besides the

source domain WAR. ARGUMENT IS A JOURNEY, ARGUMENT IS A

CONTAINER and ARGUMENT IS A BUILDING, those metaphors

represent different sets of concepts. The JOURNEY metaphor focuses on

progress and content, the CONTAINER metaphor highlights the content

and the basic of an argument, the BUILDING metaphor captures the

aspects of the construction of an argument and its strength. This means,

when a concept has several aspects and the metaphor focuses on one or

some aspects, the other aspects will remain hidden or out of focus. Such as

in WAR metaphor highlights aspects of control over argument and hides

aspects such content, construction, and progress. Therefore, different

metaphors may highlights different features of the same target concept and

at the same time hide its other features.34

2.2 Function of Metaphorical Expression

The only function of language would be to expound knowledge

and pass information, in order to facilitate cooperation between members

of society. Information much more be conveyed by using metaphor

through implication and connotation, than through straightforward or

33 Ibid, p. 33 34 Zoltán Kövecses (2010), Op.cit, p. 93

20

literal language.35

When using metaphorical expression, listeners interpret

less narrowly than they would literal language. Therefore, meaning is

communicated between speaker and listener in a less precise way, even

though the metaphors may seem concrete and vivid. It is imprecision,

which makes metaphors such a powerful tool in the communication of

emotion, evaluation and explanation. According to Leech there are five

functions of metaphorical language, they are: information, expression,

direction, aesthetic and phatic.

1. Information

The used of metaphorical expression has the function to convey

information which everyone tends to assume it is important that

deliver from speaker to listener. The characteristic of this

function is the implicit characterization in the message that

conveyed. This function is usually contains an idea, belief,

certainty, anger, fear, anxiety and courage.

2. Expression

The used of metaphorical expression has the function to

expressing the speaker‟s or writer‟s feelings or attitudes- swear

words and exclamations are the most obvious example for this

function. The content of metaphorical expression contains the

speaker‟s expectation and desire to the listener. The

35 Geoffrey N. Leech, Semantics, (London: Penguin, 1974), p.47

21

characteristic of this function is the implicit intention that

indicates direction, suggestion or expectation.

3. Direction


influence the behavior or attitudes of others. The characteristic

of this function is shown by command and request, instruction,

threat or question. This function of social control places

emphasis on the listener‟s end, rather than the speaker‟s end of

message.

4. Phatic


maintaining social bonds. The characteristic of this function is

by keeping the communication lines open between social

members (speaker and listener) and keeping the social

relationships in good condition.

5. Aesthetic

The used of metaphorical expression has the function to creating

artistic effect.

Systematization of this analysis began with finding and collecting

metaphorical expression through selecting the metaphorical linguistic

expression that leads to analyzing set of mapping between source domain

and target domain. It is these mappings that provide much of the meaning

of the metaphorical linguistic expression that make a particular conceptual

22

metaphor manifest. The result from mapping process will be adjusted with

the experiential bases knowledge and limited to the context situation in

which inaugural addresses delivered to receive the meaning and also its

function.

23

CHAPTER III

RESEARCH FINDINGS

A. DATA DESCRIPTION

In this research, the technique of data collecting is using bibliography

technique. The data are collected by using written sources from the transcript

of four inaugural addresses. There are 35 data found in the transcript and after

the process of random sampling, 18 of them consist of 8 data from Bush and

10 data from Obama, were picked up as the chosen data that will be analyzed

in this chapter. The 18 data will be classified based on the 9 concepts that are

found from the mostly represent the data. The data will be analyzed by using

qualitative method with explaining the mapping process to convey the

similarities in each concept that lead to understanding the meaning based on

the metaphorical expression. The theory of conceptual metaphor from Lakoff

and Johnson will be applied in the analysis. This theory indicates the concepts

which obtained from the mapping process and the mapping process also lead

to the meaning of metaphorical expression. The last analysis is function of

metaphorical expression that will be analyzed by using Leech theory consist of

five functions of metaphorical expression. Identification of meaning in

metaphorical expression will use dictionary Oxford Learner‟s Dictionary as

the reference. This reference is to find the lexical meaning and compare with

contextual meaning from metaphorical expression which contained in the text

speech.

24

Table 3.1

Metaphorical expression, Conceptual metaphor, and Meaning

From George W. Bush and Barack Obama Inaugural Addresses

No Metaphorical

expression

Speech

Source

Conceptual

metaphor

Meaning Function

1. And to all

nations, we

will speak for

the values that

gave our

nation birth

Bush,

2001

NATION IS

PERSON

Freedom and

liberty

Aesthetic

and

information

2. And I can

pledge our

nation to a

goal: When we

see that

wounded

traveler on the

road of

Jericho, we

will not pass to

the other side

Bush,

2001

NATION IS

PERSON

Knowing Aesthetic

25

3. We remain a

young nation,

…

Obama

, 2009

NATION IS

PERSON

Existed in

long time

Direction

4. Our economy

is badly

weakened…

Obama

, 2009

CRISIS IS SICK Crisis

situation

Information

5. An economic

recovery has

begun

Obama

, 2013

CRISIS IS SICK To enhance

economic

situation

Information

6. Our founding

fathers faced

with perils…

Obama

, 2009

NATION IS

FAMILY

Leader of a

nation

Information

7. … the father

of our nation

ordered these

words be read

to the people.

Obama

, 2009

NATION IS

FAMILY

Leader of a

nation

Direction

8. Yet, every so

often the oath

is taken amidst

gathering

clouds and

raging storm.

Obama

, 2009

PROBLEM IS

STORM

Current

situation of

nation

Aesthetic

and

information

26

9. …let us brave

once more the

icy currents,

and endure

what storms

may come…

Obama

, 2009

PROBLEM IS

STORM

Nation‟s

problem

Aesthetic

and

expression

10. And then there

came a day of

fire

Bush,

2005

FIRE IS ATTACK 9/11 Attack Aesthetic

11. By our efforts

we have lit a

fire as well; a

fire in the

minds of men

Bush,

2005

SPIRIT IS FIRE Resistance of

attack

Aesthetic

and

information

12. And one day

this untamed

fire of freedom

will reach the

darkest corners

of our world

Bush,

2005

SPIRIT IS FIRE Revolution Information

13. And even after

nearly 225

years, we have

Bush,

2001

LIFE IS

JOURNEY

The long

process of

freedom

Aesthetic

27

long way yet to

travel.

14. So, let us mark

this day in

remembrance

of who we are

and how far

we have travel.

Obama

, 2009

LIFE IS

JOURNEY

The long

journey of

Black people

Expression

15. Now, it is a

seed upon the

wind, taking

rootin many

nations.

Bush,

2001

RELATIONSHIP

IS PLANTING

Influence

other nation

Aesthetic

16. To those

leaders around

the globe who

seek to sow

conflict…

Obama

, 2009

RELATIONSHIP

IS PLANTING

Spread

conflict

Aesthetic

17. Much time has

passed since

Jefferson

arrived for his

inauguration.

Bush,

2001

TIME IS PERSON Past Information

28

18. The time has

come to

reaffirm our

enduring

spirit…

Obama

, 2009

TIME IS PERSON Happened Information

B. DATA ANALYSIS

The analysis begins with conceptual metaphor categorization using

capital letters which is the outcome of the classification from metaphorical

expression that consisted in metaphorical text. Then, analysis continues with

the mapping from source and target domain of conceptual metaphor that lead

to the analysis of meaning and its function.

3.1 NATION IS PERSON

There are three data represent the concept NATION IS PERSON. The

conceptual metaphor NATION IS PERSON is derived from the mapping

process based on the metaphorical expression found in data card number 3, 4

and 32.

a. Datum 1 no. 3:

“And to all nations, we will speak for the values that gave our nation

birth.”

29

Explanation:

In datum (1) the metaphorical expression nation birth described that

the nation reflected as a person. Officially, birth is used to explain the very

beginning process of a person‟s life, but here the metaphorical expression

„birth‟ is used to „nation‟ which nation is obviously not a person. Nation has

the similar process, in which comprehended as a person‟s birth experience.

NATION and PERSON are two things that have different conceptual domain.

Therefore, there is a cross domain conceptual mapping between these two.

Birth is the beginning part of a person‟s life understood as the same starting

point of nation‟s life. The target domain NATION is conceived in source

domain PERSON. NATION is constructed as a person and conceptually can

experience the same process as PERSON do.

The metaphorical expression nation birth here does not literary mean

the birth of a nation, but the existence of something in the nation. Based on the

context, the nation birth means the existence of liberty, because America is

strongly believe in freedom and liberty. It is seen from the previous

explanation of Bush statement saying that America will strive against other

nation which does not support freedom and liberty. Bush also emphasized that

America will only accept cooperation with other nations that give a big

opportunity to America‟s freedom. Moreover, Bush also assumed that

America gives a great contribution in history especially in freedom, because

America is the land where everyone escapes from their homeland across the

ocean seeking for liberty.

30

This metaphor has the function of aesthetic and information. The

information function is to inform a certainty to American citizens that

America still remains as the land of liberty.

b. Datum 2 no. 4:

“And I can pledge our nation to a goal: When we see that wounded

traveler on the road of Jericho, we will not pass to the other side.”

Explanation:

In datum (2), the metaphorical expression we see shows that the

„nation‟ is perceived as a „person‟. Nation is constructed as a person who has

the basic ability to see, hear, smell, touch and taste. NATION and PERSON

are two things that have different conceptual domains. Therefore, there is a

cross domain conceptual mapping between these two. The target domain

NATION is conceived in source domain PERSON. NATION is constructed as

a person and conceptually can experience the same basic and social ability as

PERSON do.

The origin of this sentence comes from the bible about the Samaritans

who help the wounded traveler from other region. According to the previous

explanation, this statement indirectly saying that America will conveniently

help when there‟s another nation that needs some help without seeing other

nation‟s differences. Jericho is a town of Jordan near the Dead Sea. Ancient

Jericho was the first town which the Israelites saw when they entered the

promise land. Therefore, the wounded traveler here means the Israelis. This

metaphorical language has an aesthetic function that creates an artistic effect,

31

because this metaphor is originated from bible that usually has a lot of

metaphor

c. Datum 3 no. 32:

“We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has

come to set aside childish things.”

Explanation:

In datum (3) the metaphorical expression young nations shows that the

„nation‟ can experience the same way with „person‟ who remains as young

and old too. Officially, „young‟ is used to indicate the age of a person, but in

here „young‟ is used to „nation‟. NATION and PERSON are two things that

have different conceptual domain. Therefore, there is a cross domain

conceptual mapping between these two, in which nation‟s age usually

counting from day of independence. The target domain NATION is conceived

in source domain PERSON. NATION is constructed as a person and

conceptually can experience the same way as PERSON which day of

independence comprehended as nation‟s day of birth.

Obama compared the characteristic of a young person with a nation. It

is the childish character which shows by the sentence to set aside childish

things. The meaning of young is that a nation existed for only a short time.

The meaning of this metaphorical sentence explained in the later sentence, that

America is not a young nation to do the unimportant things. Therefore, Obama

told the citizens that America needs to focus only on the important things to

make an improvement and also maintain freedom in their nation. The function

32

of this metaphorical sentence is direction function, because Obama gave the

instruction to the citizens that American needs to be mature in order to give

great participation in their country.

Table 3.1.1 Mapping of NATION IS PERSON

NATION PERSON

The independence day of a nation is

the starting point of the nation‟s life

The day of birth of a person is the

beginning part of that person‟s life

The age of a nation counting from

the independence day

The age of a person counting from

the day of birth

Every nation has different culture

that leads to different way of

thinking

Every person has a different

personality

The mapping in table 3.1.1 above explained the relations between the

source domain PERSON and the target domain NATION. The mapping

highlighted the human attributes in source domain PERSON which applied to

target domain NATION.

3.2 CRISIS IS SICK

There are two data represent the concept CRISIS IS SICK. The

conceptual metaphor CRISIS IS SICK is derived from the mapping process

based on the metaphorical expressions found in data number 19 and 33.

33

d. Datum 4 no. 19:

“Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and

irresponsibility on the part of some but also our collective failure to make

hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age.”

Explanation:

In datum (4) the metaphorical expression badly weakened shows that

the „crisis‟ is reflected as „sick‟. Officially, weakened is used to describe the

lacking physical strength of body that leads to sick, but here the metaphorical

„badly weakened‟ is used to „crisis‟. CRISIS and SICK are two things with

different conceptual domain. Therefore, there is a cross domain conceptual

mapping between these two. The target domain CRISIS is conceived in source

domain SICK. CRISIS is constructed as sick and conceptually can experience

the same condition as SICK, which showed that economic crisis can be

described as the condition of sick body.

The meaning of metaphorical expression badly weakened is crisis

condition in economy. It can be seen from the previous sentence which

explained that economic situation in America is on crisis, because of the

invasion to Iraq commanded by former president George W. Bush. Therefore,

this crisis would be the main duty for Barack Obama in his first presidential

period and immediately prepare to start a better age. The function of

metaphorical expression here is to inform anxiety about the crisis situation of

America‟s economy that occurred recently.

34

e. Datum 5 no. 33:

“An economic recovery has begun.”

Explanation:

In datum (5) the metaphorical expression recovery shows that the

„crisis‟ is reflected as „sick‟. Literally, recovery is used to describe a return

process to a normal state of health from sick condition, but here the

metaphorical „recovery‟ is used to „crisis‟ which crisis is obviously not related

to human body that needs to be recovered, but the process of recovery can be

understood conceptually in economic process. CRISIS and SICK are two

things with different conceptual domain. Therefore, there is a cross domain

conceptual mapping between these two. The target domain CRISIS is

conceived in source domain SICK. CRISIS is constructed as a SICK and

conceptually can experience the same condition as SICK.

The metaphorical expression recovery here is usually used to describe

a healing treatment of human body after illness which refers to crisis

condition. The meaning of recovery is to enhance economy condition. It can

be seen from the previous sentence saying that the invasion to Iraq has been

stopped because this invasion cost a lot that resulted unstable economic

condition. Therefore, Obama tried to start economic recovery to resolve the

economic complications as a consequence of the invasion. The function of this

metaphorical expression is to inform citizens that the invasion has ended and

this is the time to fix the unstable economic condition that caused many

problems in America.

35

Table 3.2.1 Mapping of CRISIS IS SICK

CRISIS SICK

Crisis is a disease that can infects to

an economic situation in a nation

Sick is lack physical strength that

can weaken the immune system of

body

To reform economic crisis needs

some regulation to control the

economic situation

To cure a disease needs a suitable

treatment to heal the body

Unstable economic condition may

leads to the economic crisis in a

nation

Weak physical condition of human

body can easily infected by many

disease


source domain SICK and the target domain CRISIS. The mapping highlighted

the physical condition in source domain SICK which applied to target domain

CRISIS.

3.3 NATION AS FAMILY

There are two data represent the concept NATION AS FAMILY. The

conceptual metaphor NATION AS FAMILY is derived from the mapping

process based on the metaphorical expression found in data number 23 and 30.

36

f. Datum 6 no. 23:

“Our founding fathers faced with perils that we can scarcely imagine,

drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and the rights of man, a charter

expanded by the blood of generations.”

Explanation:

In datum (6) the metaphorical expression fathers indicates that the

nation reflected as family. „Father‟ is literally means the leader of a family, but

in here „father‟ is used to „nation‟, which nation has totally different concept

with „family‟. NATION and FAMILY are two things that have different

conceptual domain; therefore there is a cross domain conceptual mapping

between these two. The target domain NATION is conceived in source

domain FAMILY. NATION is constructed as family and conceptually can

experience the same function as FAMILY.

The meaning of a father is quite same as the literal father who is in this

metaphorical word fathers, is considered as the leader in a nation, because

there is a same experience between a nation and a family. Therefore, based on

the sentence context, founding fathers means the leaders who establish a

nation and responsible to protecting the nation by making such regulations to

the people of America. The function of this metaphorical expression is to

inform the courage of founding fathers in fighting for this nation by drafted a

charter to assure the rule of law and the rights of this nation.

37

g. Datum 7 no. 30:

“At a moment when the outcome of our revolution was most in doubt, the

father of our nation ordered these words be read to the people.”

Explanation:

In datum (7) the metaphorical expression shows case of metaphor by

using noun „fathers‟ for its object „nation‟. It indicates that the nation reflected

as family. Father is literally means the leader of a family, but in here „father‟ is

used to „nation‟, which nation has totally different concept with „family‟.

NATION and FAMILY are two things that have different conceptual domain.

Therefore, there is a cross domain conceptual mapping between these two that

is a nation conceived as family, in which a family consists of some members

to form a family, such as father that has the same function to lead a nation.

The target domain NATION is conceived in source domain FAMILY.

NATION is constructed as family and conceptually can experience the same

function as FAMILY.

The meaning of metaphorical expression father in this datum is just

same with the previous one. The father of a nation is considered as metaphor,

because father usually related to family bond, but in this occasion this

metaphor is to treat the leader of a nation as a father. The leader of a nation

has the same function as father. It is seen from the sentence that the father of

our nation ordered these words be read to the people. In this statement, it

seems that a father is giving some advices to be understood by the children.

This metaphorical expression is included in the function of direction to

38

influence the citizens of America to follow the instruction from the father of a

nation when the nation situation is in doubt.

Table 3.3.1 Mapping of NATION AS FAMILY

NATION FAMILY

Homeland is the place where

citizens are stay to live

Home is the place where a family

stay together

Government is the leader of a nation

who has the authority to make such

regulations and decisions

Father has the highest status in a

family and also responsible to his

family

The citizens have to follow the rule

that government has made

The children of the family has to

obey the rule from their father

The mapping in table 3.3.1 above explained the relation between the

source domain FAMILY and the target domain NATION. The mapping

highlighted function of family member in source domain FAMILY which

applied to target domain NATION.

3.4 PROBLEM IS STORM

There are two data represent the concept PROBLEM IS STORM. The

conceptual metaphor PROBLEM IS STORM is derived from the mapping

process based on the metaphorical linguistic expression found in data number

18 and 31.

39

h. Datum 8 no. 18:

“Yet, every so often the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging

storm.”

Explanation:

In datum (8) the metaphorical expression gathering clouds and raging

storms usually refer to a bad weather situation. STORM and PROBLEM are

two things that have very different conceptual domain. Therefore, there is a

cross domain conceptual mapping between these two. Storm is a violent

disturbance of the atmosphere with strong winds and usually rain, thunder,

lightning, or snow, but in here the metaphorical expressions „gathering clouds

and „raging storm‟ are used to describe the „problem‟ which problem is

obviously not related to „storm‟. The target domain PROBLEM is conceived

in source domain STORM, which some experiences in problem are described

by storm. The literally indication of bad weather that may come and usually

seen from gathering clouds in a region and then lead by wind, rain, and

thunder that cause storm.

The metaphor meaning in this sentence seen from the previous

sentence which explained about the recent situation of the nation that refers to

the problem of social and leads to economic problem as a consequence of

America‟s invasion in Iraq which has the strong perceptions as gathering

clouds and raging storms. Therefore, the meaning of gathering clouds is the

social problem and raging storms means economical problem that recently

happened in America. This metaphoric expression has the aesthetic to create

40

an artistic effect and information function which shows his anxiety about the

inaugural address held in a complicated socio-economic situation that has the

representation of bad weather.

i. Datum 9 no. 31:

“America in the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our

hardship, let us remember these timeless words; with hope and virtue, let

us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come; let

it be said by our children‟s children that when we were tested we refused

to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and

with eyes fixed on the horizon and God‟s grace upon us, we carried forth

that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.”

Explanation:

In datum (9) the metaphoric expression storms has the same meaning

as the previous data. STORM and PROBLEM are two things that have very

different conceptual domain. Therefore, there is a cross domain conceptual

mapping between these two. Storm is uncontrolled atmospheric condition, but

in here the metaphorical expression „storms‟ is used to describe the „nation

problem‟ which problem comprehended or has the similar concept with storm.

Officially, storm is a violent disturbance of the atmosphere with strong winds

and usually rain, thunder, lightning or snow. The target domain PROBLEM is

conceived in source domain STORM, which some bad situation in problem

described by storm.

41

Storm has a strong perception of a bad weather in some areas that may

cause some problem. Metaphorically the storms meaning is the problem in

that may encounter by this nation. This metaphorical expression has the

function of aesthetic to create an artistic effect expression which Obama‟s

main purpose is express an exclamation to the people of America to always

remember the timeless words delivered from Thomas Paine in 1776 which

explained the same crisis condition when America was planning to have

revolution and struggling to get independence from British, although the

America‟s recently crisis is actually different from what Thomas Paine

experienced, but Obama emphasized that people of America have to keep their

courage when enduring and facing the crisis that may come.

Table 3.4.1 Mapping of PROBLEM IS STORM

PROBLEM STORM

Problem is a harmful situation that

can effect political situation in a

nation

Storm is an extreme weather

condition that can damage a region

Problem in a nation has some

indications that may cause crisis

Storm has some indications such as

gather clouds, winds, thunder etc.


source domain STORM and the target domain PROBLEM. The mapping

highlighted the bad condition in source domain STORM which applied to

target domain PROBLEM.

42

3.5 FIRE IS ATTACK

There is one datum represent the concept FIRE IS ATTACK. The

conceptual metaphor FIRE IS ATTACK is derived from the mapping

process based on the metaphorical expression found in data number 17.

j. Datum 10 no. 17:

“And then there came a day of fire.”

Explanation:

In datum (10) the metaphorical language a day of fire described that

the fire reflected as an attack. The target domain FIRE is conceived in source

domain ATTACK. FIRE is constructed as attack and conceptually has the

same experiential bases with ATTACK. The target domain FIRE is conceived

in source domain ATTACK, which both of conceptual domains has the

similarity in destructive attributes.

The meaning of this metaphorical expression is the continuation of the

preceding paragraph which means the day of 9/11 when there was an attack by

plane crashed over the World Trade Center twin tower in New York, in

September 11 2001. It can be seen from the previous sentence, it is explained

that the world has been relatively quiet after the down of communism and the

end of World War, until the 9/11 Attack finally disturb this temporary peace

that leads to the invasion of Iraq. Bush also assumed that this attack has been

planned before and intended to destruct American freedom and declared this

attack as war. This metaphoric language has the function of aesthetic in

creating artistic analogy of a big attack.

43

Table 3.5.1 Mapping of FIRE IS ATTACK

FIRE ATTACK

The character of fire is caused

destruction and dangerous if the fire

has huge capacity.

An attack always caused serious

destruction in the area of attacking.

Destruction effect of fire always

physical and also can be emotional

if the destroyed things have

possessive quality.

The effect of an attack can be both

physical and emotional toward the

country that been attacked.


source domain ATTACK and the target domain FIRE. The mapping

highlighted the characteristic and effect of source domain ATTACK which

applied to target domain FIRE.

3.6 SPIRIT IS FIRE

There are two data represent the concept SPIRIT IS FIRE. The

conceptual metaphor SPIRIT IS FIRE is derived from the mapping process

based on the metaphorical expression found in data number 10 and 11.

k. Datum 11 no. 10:

“By our efforts we have lit a fire as well; a fire in the minds of men.”

44

Explanation:

In datum (11) the metaphorical expression lit a fire described that the

fire reflected as spirit. The target domain FIRE is conceived in source domain

SPIRIT. FIRE is constructed as spirit and conceptually has the same

experiential bases with SPIRIT. The target domain FIRE is conceived in

source domain SPIRIT, which both of conceptual domains has the similarity

in fire flaming attributes which burning fire can be easily spread by substance

combine chemically with oxygen that the process of spread comprehended as

provocation.

The meaning of the metaphorical expression is the continuation of the

9/11 Attack. Based on the context sentence, the meaning of this metaphor is

preparing resistance. It is the American spirit of resistance as a consequence of

the 9/11 attack. This attack heated up the situation, because it caused not only

great destruction in the most influential building in America, but also so much

innocence victims. This metaphorical expression has two functions,

information and aesthetic. The information function is to inform the courage

of America in fights against the terrorism. The aesthetic function is to create

an artistic language that may attract the listener.

l. Datum 12 no. 11:

“And one day this untamed fire of freedom will reach the darkest corners

of our world.”

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Explanation:

In datum (12) the metaphorical expression of untamed fire literally

means that this fire will spread easily when the fire has strong enough of

chemical power. Untamed fire described that the fire reflected as spirit. The

target domain FIRE is conceived in source domain SPIRIT. FIRE is

constructed as attack and conceptually has the same experiential bases with

SPIRIT. The target domain FIRE is conceived in source domain SPIRIT,

which both of conceptual domains has the similarity in strength.

Metaphorically this untamed fire means revolution. America insists the

revolution of freedom and liberty in many countries to fight against the act of

terrorism. According to the later paragraph that America is trying to spread

freedom in every country and also in Middle West country and fight against

other countries which refused to get in a way of freedom in America. The

function of this metaphoric language is to inform the people of America about

the idea of freedom revolution around the world.

Table 3.6.1 Mapping of SPIRIT IS FIRE

SPIRIT FIRE

Spirit can be raised Fire can be made

Spirit can affect others widely from

one person to another

Fire can spread widely even it

begins from small fire

Spirit caused strong power Fire caused heat and burn

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source domain FIRE and the target domain SPIRIT. The mapping highlighted

the characteristic of source domain FIRE which applied to target domain

SPIRIT.

3.7 LIFE IS JOURNEY

There are two data represent the concept LIFE IS JOURNEY. The

conceptual metaphor LIFE IS JOURNEY is derived from the mapping process


m. Datum 13 no. 5:

“And even after nearly 225 years, we have long way yet to travel.”

Explanation:

In datum (13) the metaphorical expression we have long way yet to

travel shows the concept of a journey that described the nation‟s journey. The

metaphorical expression described that the nation‟s life reflected as journey.

Officially, the expression „we have long way yet to travel‟ belongs to the long

process of a journey, but here that metaphorical expression is used to describe

nation‟s life. Which nation‟s life is obviously not a journey. LIFE and

JOURNEY are two things that have different conceptual domain. Therefore,

the metaphorical expression indicates that the nation‟s life reflected as

journey. The target domain LIFE is conceived in source domain JOURNEY.

LIFE is constructed as JOURNEY and conceptually has the same experiential

bases process as JOURNEY.

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The journey of America as democracy nation which is believed in

liberty and freedom as their principle is assumed too early even after 225 years

of independence when they reach liberty in America. Therefore, the meaning

of the metaphorical sentence is America still has to keep their energy to spread

the liberty principle to other countries. This meaning is supported by the

previous paragraph explained that America as the country of freedom that

wants to introduce their principle to other country to get involve in order to

build strong cooperation between nations. The function of this metaphorical

sentence is to create artistic effect about the political journey and express the

next expectation of America‟s future.

n. Datum 14 no. 27:

“So, let us mark this day in remembrance of who we are and how far we

have travel.”

Explanation:

In datum (14) the metaphorical expression „how far we have travel’

indicates the process of a journey that used to describe the nation‟s life. The

metaphorical expression described that the nation‟s life reflected as journey.

The expression „how far we have travel‟ belongs to the length process of a

journey, but here that metaphorical expression is used to describe nation‟s life.

LIFE and JOURNEY are two things that have different conceptual domain,

but the metaphorical expression indicates that the nation‟s life reflected as

journey. The target domain LIFE is conceived in source domain JOURNEY.

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LIFE is constructed as JOURNEY and conceptually has the same experiential

bases process as JOURNEY.

The meaning of the metaphorical expression contained on the sentence

is how long the black people had their freedom from slavery and received the

equality with the white man in America. This inauguration is the proof and

also the remembrance of progress that black people today can lead this nation

too as the result of their struggle through freedom on their own. This meaning

is based on the previous paragraph which showed the struggle of black people

and assumed to be the real liberty in the land of America. This metaphor has

the function of expression, because Obama as the black people exclaimed this

inauguration day as a remembrance of their struggle.

Table 3.7.1 Mapping of NATION LIFE IS JOURNEY

LIFE JOURNEY

Life has a start and an end A journey has a start and an end

Life has a goal A journey has destination

Problems when achieving the goal Obstacle during the journey

The mapping in the table 3.7.1 above explained the relations between

the source domain JOURNEY and the target domain LIFE. The mapping

highlighted the process of source domain JOURNEY which applied in the

target domain LIFE.

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3.8 RELATIONSHIP IS PLANTING

There are two data represent the concept RELATIONSHIP IS PLANT.

The conceptual metaphor RELATIONSHIP IS PLANT is derived from the

mapping process based on the metaphorical expression found in data number 2

and 25.

o. Datum 15 no. 2:

“Now, it is a seed upon the wind, taking root in many nations.”

Explanation:

In datum (15) the metaphorical expression „a seed upon the wind,

taking root’ indicates the process of planting. However, this expression is used

to explain the „nation relationship‟ reflected as „plant‟. RELATIONSHIP and

PLANTING are two things that have different conceptual domain; therefore

there is cross domain conceptual mapping RELATIONSHIP IS PLANTING,

which is the target domain RELATIONSHIP is conceived in source domain

PLANTING. Here, the relationship is constructed and conceptually has the

same process with planting.

Bush compared the process of planting with the process of how to

make relationship with other nations. Seed symbolizes America‟s involvement

in other countries in recent years that is constantly being spread by the wind to

many other nations and taking root means that the involvement of America in

other nation will grow into strongly plant. Democracy principle is based on

liberty only exist in a few countries, therefore, America is trying to enlarge

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this principle by getting involved in some other countries. The function of this

metaphor is to express the expectation of America‟s future in enlarging the

power in some nations. And also this metaphorical expression has an aesthetic

function in creating artistic effect on the listeners.

p. Datum 16 no. 25:

“To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict or blame

their society ills on the West, know that your people will judge you on

what you can build not what you destroy.”

Explanation:

In datum (16) the metaphorical expression sow conflict here compared

with the sowing seeds in planting. Officially, „sow‟ is used to explain the first

process in planting, but here the metaphorical expression „sow‟ is used to

„relationship‟, which „relationship‟ has different concept as „planting‟.

However, this expression is used to explain the „relationship‟ reflected as

„planting‟. RELATIONSHIP and PLANTING are two things that have

different conceptual domain. Therefore, there is cross domain conceptual

mapping RELATIONSHIP IS PLANTING, which is the target domain

RELATIONSHIP is conceived in source domain PLANTING. Here, the

nation relationship is constructed and conceptually has the same process as

planting.

The meaning of the metaphorical sentence is the leaders of Middle

West countries who spread the bad issue about America‟s involvement in

some conflict. Obama claimed that America has no responsible for the

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problem in their country. In the next explanation Obama also claimed that the

crisis in the Middle West country is because of their dictatorship in their

country that caused corruption and irritated their citizens. The functions of this

metaphorical sentence are aesthetic to create an artistic effect and to inform

the courage to other leaders that America has no responsible with the crisis

that occurred in their country.

Table 3.8.1 Mapping of RELATIONSHIP IS PLANTING

RELATIONSHIP PLANT

To make a strong relationship with

other nations it need a good

cooperation first

To grow a good plant it need a

good seed to be grow

In enlarging a good relationship

with other nations, needs a trust

between the nations

Sowing a good seed will produce a

good and strong plant in the future


source domain PLANTING and the target domain RELATIONSHIP. The

mapping highlighted the growing process of source domain PLANTING

which applied in the target domain RELATIONSHIP.

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3.9 TIME IS PERSON

There are two data represent the concept TIME IS PERSON. The

conceptual metaphor TIME IS PERSON is derived from the mapping process


q. Datum 17 no. 5:

“Much time has passed since Jefferson arrived for his inauguration.”

Explanation:

In datum (17) the metaphorical expression passed described that „time‟

reflected as a „person‟. Officially, passed is used to explain the movements in

a specific direction of a person that goes by, but here the metaphorical

expression „passed‟ is used to „time‟ which time is actually not a person who

can move. TIME and PERSON are two things that have different conceptual

domain. Therefore, there is a cross domain conceptual mapping in the target

domain TIME that conceived in source domain PERSON. TIME is

constructed as a person and conceptually can experience the same process as

PERSON that moving from one place to another.

The meaning of metaphorical sentence here means that America has

change over time since Jefferson declared the independence of America years

ago. The function of this metaphor is to inform the citizens that America has

been independent in long time ago, therefore Bush wanted to set America as

bigger and better nation than before.

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r. Datum 18 no. 21:

“The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit…”

Explanation:

In datum (18) the metaphorical expression come described that „time‟

reflected as a „person‟. Officially, „has come‟ is to get in a particular place or

an arrival, but here the metaphorical expression „has come‟ is used to „time‟

which time is not a person which cannot be arrived to particular place. TIME

and PERSON are two things that have different conceptual domain. Therefore,

there is a cross domain conceptual mapping in the target domain TIME that

conceived in source domain PERSON. TIME is constructed as a person and

conceptually can experience the same process as PERSON that that „time‟ acts

as „person‟ that doing something such as come and passed.

The meaning of this metaphorical sentence is Obama reaffirmed that

this inauguration is the best moment for America to begin a new history. It can

be seen from the later sentence which explained that the president has some

plans to do in his presidential period to make America much better than

before. The function of this metaphorical sentence is to inform the citizens of

America that from this inauguration the citizens have to be ready to make and

support America better than before.

Table 3.9.1 Mapping of TIME IS PERSON

TIME PERSON

Time is passing Person is moving

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Ages change over time Person change over time

Time runs to future Person move from one place to

another


source domain PERSON and the target domain TIME. The mapping

highlighted the attributes of source domain PERSON which applied in the

target domain TIME.

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CHAPTER 1V

CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTION

A. CONCLUSION

Metaphor is not only a linguistic phenomenon which shows the usages of

figurative language, but metaphor also shows the concept of thinking and used

widely pervasive in everyday life. Therefore, the word choice of someone is not

random, but it has a certain structure based on everyday experiences, background

knowledge and culture.

Metaphors that are found in political text such as inaugural address

delivered by George W. Bush and Barack Obama, shows that the used of

metaphor is very flexible. There are 9 concepts in inaugural address are revealed

through the analysis of conceptual metaphor using mapping process. They are

NATION IS PERSON, CRISIS IS SICK, NATION AS FAMILY, PROBLEM IS

STORM, FIRE IS ATTACK, SPIRIT IS FIRE, LIFE IS JOURNEY,

RELATIONSHIP IS PLANTING, and TIME IS PERSON. The meaning of

metaphor also revealed from the mapping process which shows the relation

between source domain and target domain to get an easier understanding in

interpreting metaphor. The function of metaphor also revealed by using Leech

theory, but only 4 of 5 functions used in the speech.

From the mapping process of the concepts in the inaugural address. It can

be seen that metaphor has been used as a tool in communication in order to make

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such impression in the interpretation of the listener. This metaphor facilitates

George W. Bush and Barack Obama when explaining the complicated political

situations in recent time, so that the listener can imagine and understand the

message easily. Metaphor also shows the concept and point of view from these

two political figures toward the actual situation. Moreover, this metaphor has the

function to strengthen their position after inauguration and the citizens support

their presidential abilities.

B. SUGGESTION

Metaphor is not only a matter of meaning, but it is also related to the

concept that grounded from cognition. This relation to cognition is pervasive in

daily experiences based on the culture until sometimes metaphor has been used

unconsciously. So, we have to focus when finding the right metaphorical

expression to consider it as metaphor. Dictionary will help us to recognize which

are metaphors contained in text, because some words are remaining as literal

language. As foreign learner of English we cannot guess the meaning of words by

ourselves, we need dictionary to guide us in interpreting non-literal meaning such

metaphor.

This metaphor research used inaugural transcript delivered by George W.

Bush and Barack Obama which is only the starting point of the study. Further

analysis will be very possible by using another data to get deeper and broader

analysis. There are a number of conceptual metaphor analyses in political text that

57

has been analyzed, but there‟s still limited analysis which use song lyric or song

title as the data source.

In the political text, theory of conceptual metaphor used to convey the

concept of metaphor that leads to understand the meaning of metaphor.

Meanwhile, in song lyric we can also use this theory in order to know what the

lyric is actually talking about. Therefore, this suggestion may give another

opportunity to analyze broader research using conceptual metaphor as the theory.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

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APPENDICES

GEORGE W. BUSH First Inaugural Address

January 20, 2001

President Clinton, distinguished guests and my fellow citizens, the peaceful transfer of authority is rare in history, yet common in our country. With a simple oath, we affirm old traditions and make new beginnings.

As I begin, I thank President Clinton for his service to our nation.

And I thank Vice President Gore for a contest conducted with spirit and ended with grace.

I am honored and humbled to stand here, where so many of America's leaders have come before me, and so many will follow.

We have a place, all of us, in a long story--a story we continue, but whose end we will not see. It is the story of a new world that became a friend and liberator of the old, a story of a slave-holding society that became a servant of freedom, the story of a power that went into the world to protect but not possess, to defend but not to conquer. It is the American story--a story of flawed and fallible people, united across the generations by grand and enduring ideals.

The grandest of these ideals is an unfolding American promise that everyone belongs, that everyone deserves a chance, that no insignificant person was ever born.

Americans are called to enact this promise in our lives and in our laws. And though our nation has sometimes halted, and sometimes delayed, we must follow no other course.

Through much of the last century, America's faith in freedom and democracy was a rock in a raging sea. Now it is a seed upon the wind, taking root (datum 15) in many nations.

Our democratic faith is more than the creed of our country, it is the inborn hope of our humanity, an ideal we carry but do not own, a trust we bear and pass along. And even after nearly 225 years, we have a long way yet to travel (datum 13) .

While many of our citizens prosper, others doubt the promise, even the justice, of our own country. The ambitions of some Americans are limited by failing schools and hidden prejudice and the circumstances of their birth. And sometimes our differences run so deep, it seems we share a continent, but not a country. We do not accept this, and we will not allow it. Our unity, our union, is the serious work of leaders and citizens in every generation. And this is my solemn pledge: I will work to build a single nation of justice and opportunity. I know this is in our reach because we are guided by a power larger than ourselves who creates us equal in His image.

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And we are confident in principles that unite and lead us onward.

America has never been united by blood or birth or soil. We are bound by ideals that move us beyond our backgrounds, lift us above our interests and teach us what it means to be citizens. Every child must be taught these principles. Every citizen must uphold them. And every immigrant, by embracing these ideals, makes our country more, not less, American.

Today, we affirm a new commitment to live out our nation's promise through civility, courage, compassion and character.

America, at its best, matches a commitment to principle with a concern for civility. A civil society demands from each of us good will and respect, fair dealing and forgiveness.

Some seem to believe that our politics can afford to be petty because, in a time of peace, the stakes of our debates appear small.

But the stakes for America are never small. If our country does not lead the cause of freedom, it will not be led. If we do not turn the hearts of children toward knowledge and character, we will lose their gifts and undermine their idealism. If we permit our economy to drift and decline, the vulnerable will suffer most.

We must live up to the calling we share. Civility is not a tactic or a sentiment. It is the determined choice of trust over cynicism, of community over chaos. And this commitment, if we keep it, is a way to shared accomplishment.

America, at its best, is also courageous.

Our national courage has been clear in times of depression and war, when defending common dangers defined our common good. Now we must choose if the example of our fathers and mothers will inspire us or condemn us. We must show courage in a time of blessing by confronting problems instead of passing them on to future generations.

Together, we will reclaim America's schools, before ignorance and apathy claim more young lives.

We will reform Social Security and Medicare, sparing our children from struggles we have the power to prevent. And we will reduce taxes, to recover the momentum of our economy and reward the effort and enterprise of working Americans.

We will build our defenses beyond challenge, lest weakness invite challenge.

We will confront weapons of mass destruction, so that a new century is spared new horrors.

The enemies of liberty and our country should make no mistake: America remains engaged in the world by history and by choice, shaping a balance of power that favors freedom. We will defend our allies and our interests. We will show purpose without arrogance. We will meet aggression and bad faith with resolve and strength. And to all nations, we will speak for the values that gave our nation birth (datum 1).

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America, at its best, is compassionate. In the quiet of American conscience, we know that deep, persistent poverty is unworthy of our nation's promise.

And whatever our views of its cause, we can agree that children at risk are not at fault. Abandonment and abuse are not acts of God, they are failures of love.

And the proliferation of prisons, however necessary, is no substitute for hope and order in our souls.

Where there is suffering, there is duty. Americans in need are not strangers, they are citizens, not problems, but priorities. And all of us are diminished when any are hopeless.

Government has great responsibilities for public safety and public health, for civil rights and common schools. Yet compassion is the work of a nation, not just a government.

And some needs and hurts are so deep they will only respond to a mentor's touch or a pastor's prayer. Church and charity, synagogue and mosque lend our communities their humanity, and they will have an honored place in our plans and in our laws.

Many in our country do not know the pain of poverty, but we can listen to those who do.

And I can pledge our nation to a goal: When we see (datum 2)that wounded traveler on the road to Jericho, we will not pass to the other side.

America, at its best, is a place where personal responsibility is valued and expected.

Encouraging responsibility is not a search for scapegoats, it is a call to conscience. And though it requires sacrifice, it brings a deeper fulfillment. We find the fullness of life not only in options, but in commitments. And we find that children and community are the commitments that set us free.

Our public interest depends on private character, on civic duty and family bonds and basic fairness, on uncounted, unhonored acts of decency which give direction to our freedom.

Sometimes in life we are called to do great things. But as a saint of our times has said, every day we are called to do small things with great love. The most important tasks of a democracy are done by everyone.

I will live and lead by these principles: to advance my convictions with civility, to pursue the public interest with courage, to speak for greater justice and compassion, to call for responsibility and try to live it as well.

In all these ways, I will bring the values of our history to the care of our times.

What you do is as important as anything government does. I ask you to seek a common good beyond your comfort; to defend needed reforms against easy attacks; to serve your nation, beginning with your neighbor. I ask you to be citizens: citizens, not spectators; citizens, not subjects; responsible citizens, building communities of service and a nation of character.

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Americans are generous and strong and decent, not because we believe in ourselves, but because we hold beliefs beyond ourselves. When this spirit of citizenship is missing, no government program can replace it. When this spirit is present, no wrong can stand against it.

After the Declaration of Independence was signed, Virginia statesman John Page wrote to Thomas Jefferson: ``We know the race is not to the swift nor the battle to the strong. Do you not think an angel rides in the whirlwind and directs this storm?''

Much time has passed (datum 17) since Jefferson arrived for his inauguration. The years and changes accumulate. But the themes of this day he would know: our nation's grand story of courage and its simple dream of dignity.

We are not this story's author, who fills time and eternity with his purpose. Yet his purpose is achieved in our duty, and our duty is fulfilled in service to one another.

Never tiring, never yielding, never finishing, we renew that purpose today, to make our country more just and generous, to affirm the dignity of our lives and every life.

This work continues. This story goes on. And an angel still rides in the whirlwind and directs this storm. God bless you all, and God bless America.

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George W. Bush Second Inaugural Address

Washington, DC January 20, 2005

Vice President Cheney, Mr. Chief Justice, President Carter, President Bush, President Clinton, members of the United States Congress, Reverend, clergy, distinguished guests, fellow citizens:

On this day, prescribed by law and marked by ceremony, we celebrate the durable wisdom of our Constitution and recall the deep commitments that unite our country.

I am grateful for the honor of this hour, mindful of the consequential times in which we live and determined to fulfill the oath that I have sworn and you have witnessed.

At this second gathering, our duties are defined not by the words I use, but by the history we have seen together.

For a half a century, America defended our own freedom by standing watch on distant borders. After the shipwreck of communism came years of relative quiet, years of repose, years of sabbatical. And then there came a day of fire (datum 10).

We have seen our vulnerability and we have seen its deepest source.

For as long as whole regions of the world simmer in resentment and tyranny, prone to ideologies that feed hatred and excuse murder, violence will gather and multiply in destructive power and cross the most defended borders and raise a mortal threat.

There is only one force of history that can break the reign of hatred and resentment and expose the pretensions of tyrants and reward the hopes of the decent and tolerant, and that is the force of human freedom.

We are led, by events and common sense, to one conclusion: The survival of liberty in our land increasingly depends on the success of liberty in other lands.

The best hope for peace in our world is the expansion of freedom in all the world.

America's vital interests and our deepest beliefs are now one. From the day of our founding, we have proclaimed that every man and woman on this earth has rights and dignity and matchless value, because they bear the image of the maker of heaven and Earth.

Across the generations, we have proclaimed the imperative of self-government, because no one is fit to be a master and no one deserves to be a slave.

Fancying these ideals is the mission that created our nation. It is the honorable achievement of our fathers. Now it is the urgent requirement of our nation's security and the calling of our time.

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So it is the policy of the United States to seek and support the growth of democratic movements and institutions in every nation and culture with the ultimate goal of ending tyranny in our world.

This is not primarily the task of arms, though we will defend ourselves and our friends by force of arms when necessary. Freedom, by its nature, must be chosen and defended by citizens and sustained by the rule of law and the protection of minorities.

And when the soul of a nation finally speaks, the institutions that arise may reflect customs and traditions very different from our own.

America will not impose our own style of government on the unwilling. Our goal, instead, is to help others find their own voice, attain their own freedom and make their own way.

The great objective of ending tyranny is the concentrated work of generations.

The difficulty of the task is no excuse for avoiding it.

America's influence is not unlimited, but fortunately for the oppressed, America's influence is considerable and we will use it confidently in freedom's cause.

My most solemn duty is to protect this nation and its people from further attacks and emerging threats. Some have unwisely chosen to test America's resolve and have found it firm.

We will persistently clarify the choice before every ruler and every nation: the moral choice between oppression, which is always wrong, and freedom, which is eternally right.

America will not pretend that jailed dissidents prefer their chains, or that women welcome humiliation and servitude, or that any human being aspires to live at the mercy of bullies.

We will encourage reform in other governments by making clear that success in our relations will require the decent treatment of their own people.

Americans, of all people, should never be surprised by the power of our ideals.

Eventually, the call of freedom comes to every mind and every soul. We do not accept the existence of permanent tyranny because we do not accept the possibility of permanent slavery.

Liberty will come to those who love it.

Today, America speaks anew to the peoples of the world.

America's belief in human dignity will guide our policies, yet rights must be more than the grudging concessions of dictators. They are secured by free dissent and the participation of the governed.

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In the long run, there is no justice without freedom, and there can be no human rights without human liberty.

Some, I know, have questioned the global appeal of liberty, though this time in history, four decades defined by the swiftest advance of freedom ever seen, is an odd time for doubt.

Americans, of all people, should never be surprised by the power of our ideals.

All who live in tyranny and hopelessness can know the United States will not ignore your oppression, or excuse your oppressors. When you stand for your liberty, we will stand with you.

Democratic reformers facing repression, prison or exile can know America sees you for who you are, the future leaders of your free country.

The rulers of outlaw regimes can know that we still believe as Abraham Lincoln did, "Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves; and, under the rule of a just God, cannot long retain it."

The leaders of governments with long habits of control need to know: To serve your people you must learn to trust them. Start on this journey of progress and justice, and America will walk at your side.

And all the allies of the United States can know: We honor your friendship, we rely on your counsel and we depend on your help. Division among free nations is a primary goal of freedom's enemies. The concerted effort of free nations to promote democracy is a prelude to our enemies' defeat.

Today, I also speak anew to my fellow citizens.

From all of you, I have asked patience in the hard task of securing America, which you have granted in good measure.

Our country has accepted obligations that are difficult to fulfill and would be dishonorable to abandon.

Yet because we have acted in the great liberating tradition of this nation, tens of millions have achieved their freedom. And as hope kindles hope, millions more will find it.

By our efforts we have lit a fire (datum 11) as well; a fire in the minds of men. It warms those who feel its power. It burns those who fight its progress. And one day this untamed fire (datum 12) of freedom will reach the darkest corners of our world.

A few Americans have accepted the hardest duties in this cause. In the quiet work of intelligence and diplomacy, the idealistic work of helping raise up free governments, the dangerous and necessary work of fighting our enemies, some have shown their devotion to our country in deaths that honored their whole lives. And we will always honor their names and their sacrifice.

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All Americans have witnessed this idealism, and some for the first time.

I ask our youngest citizens to believe the evidence of your eyes.

You have seen duty and allegiance in the determined faces of our soldiers. You have seen that life is fragile, and evil is real, and courage triumphs.

Make the choice to serve in a cause larger than your wants, larger than yourself, and in your days you will add not just to the wealth of our country, but to its character.

America has need of idealism and courage, because we have essential work at home: the unfinished work of American freedom.

In a world moving toward liberty, we are determined to show the meaning and promise of liberty.

In America's ideal of freedom, citizens find the dignity and security of economic independence, instead of laboring on the edge of subsistence.

This is the broader definition of liberty that motivated the Homestead Act, the Social Security Act, and the G.I. Bill of Rights.

And now we will extend this vision by reforming great institutions to serve the needs of our time.

To give every American a stake in the promise and future of our country, we will bring the highest standards to our schools and build an ownership society. We will widen the ownership of homes and businesses, retirement savings and health insurance, preparing our people for the challenges of life in a free society.

By making every citizen an agent of his or her own destiny, we will give our fellow Americans greater freedom from want and fear, and make our society more prosperous and just and equal.

In America's ideal of freedom, the public interest depends on private character, on integrity, and tolerance toward others, and the rule of conscience in our own lives.

In America's ideal of freedom, the exercise of rights is ennobled by service and mercy and a heart for the weak.

Liberty for all does not mean independence from one another. Our nation relies on men and women who look after a neighbor and surround the lost with love.

Americans at our best value the life we see in one another and must always remember that even the unwanted have worth.

And our country must abandon all the habits of racism because we cannot carry the message of freedom and the baggage of bigotry at the same time.

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From the perspective of a single day, including this day of dedication, the issues and questions before our country are many. From the viewpoint of centuries, the questions that come to us are narrowed and few. Did our generation advance the cause of freedom? And did our character bring credit to that cause?

These questions that judge us also unite us, because Americans of every party and background, Americans by choice and by birth, are bound to one another in the cause of freedom.

We have known divisions, which must be healed to move forward in great purposes. And I will strive in good faith to heal them. Yet those divisions do not define America.

We felt the unity and fellowship of our nation when freedom came under attack, and our response came like a single hand over a single heart.

And we can feel that same unity and pride whenever America acts for good, and the victims of disaster are given hope, and the unjust encounter justice, and the captives are set free.

We go forward with complete confidence in the eventual triumph of freedom. Not because history runs on the wheels of inevitability; it is human choices that move events. Not because we consider ourselves a chosen nation; God moves and chooses as he wills.

We have confidence because freedom is the permanent hope of mankind, the hunger in dark places, the longing of the soul.

When our founders declared a new order of the ages, when soldiers died in wave upon wave for a union based on liberty, when citizens marched in peaceful outrage under the banner Freedom Now, they were acting on an ancient hope that is meant to be fulfilled. History has an ebb and flow of justice, but history also has a visible direction, set by liberty and the author of liberty.

When the Declaration of Independence was first read in public and the Liberty Bell was sounded in celebration, a witness said, "It rang as if it meant something." In our time it means something still.

America, in this young century, proclaims liberty throughout all the world and to all the inhabitants thereof.

Renewed in our strength, tested but not weary, we are ready for the greatest achievements in the history of freedom.

May God bless you, and may he watch over the United States of America.

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Barack Obama Inaugural Address Washington, D.C. January 20, 2009

Thank you. Thank you. My fellow citizens: I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors.

I thank President Bush for his service to our nation as well as the generosity and cooperation he has shown throughout this transition.

Forty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath.

The words have been spoken during rising tides of prosperity and the still waters of peace. Yet, every so often the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms (datum 8). At these moments, America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but because. We the People have remained faithful to the ideals of our forbearers, and true to our founding documents.

So it has been. So it must be with this generation of Americans.

That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our nation is at war against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened (datum 4), a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age.

Homes have been lost, jobs shed, businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly, our schools fail too many, and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet.

These are the indicators of crisis, subject to data and statistics. Less measurable, but no less profound, is a sapping of confidence across our land; a nagging fear that America's decline is inevitable, that the next generation must lower its sights.

Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real, they are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this America: They will be met.

On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.

On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn-out dogmas that for far too long have strangled our politics.

We remain a young nation (datum 3), but in the words of Scripture, the time has come (datum 18) to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble

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idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.

In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never been one of shortcuts or settling for less.

It has not been the path for the faint-hearted, for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame.

Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things -- some celebrated, but more often men and women obscure in their labor -- who have carried us up the long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom.

For us, they packed up their few worldly possessions and traveled across oceans in search of a new life. For us, they toiled in sweatshops and settled the West, endured the lash of the whip and plowed the hard earth.

For us, they fought and died in places Concord and Gettysburg; Normandy and Khe Sahn.

Time and again these men and women struggled and sacrificed and worked till their hands were raw so that we might live a better life. They saw America as bigger than the sum of our individual ambitions; greater than all the differences of birth or wealth or faction.

This is the journey we continue today. We remain the most prosperous, powerful nation on Earth. Our workers are no less productive than when this crisis began. Our minds are no less inventive, our goods and services no less needed than they were last week or last month or last year. Our capacity remains undiminished. But our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions -- that time has surely passed.

Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America.

For everywhere we look, there is work to be done. The state of our economy calls for action: bold and swift. And we will act not only to create new jobs but to lay a new foundation for growth.

We will build the roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that feed our commerce and bind us together.

We will restore science to its rightful place and wield technology's wonders to raise health care's quality and lower its costs.

We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories. And we will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age.

All this we can do. All this we will do.

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Now, there are some who question the scale of our ambitions, who suggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans. Their memories are short, for they have forgotten what this country has already done, what free men and women can achieve when imagination is joined to common purpose and necessity to courage.

What the cynics fail to understand is that the ground has shifted beneath them, that the stale political arguments that have consumed us for so long, no longer apply.

The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works, whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified.

Where the answer is yes, we intend to move forward. Where the answer is no, programs will end.

And those of us who manage the public's knowledge will be held to account, to spend wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day, because only then can we restore the vital trust between a people and their government.

Nor is the question before us whether the market is a force for good or ill. Its power to generate wealth and expand freedom is unmatched.

But this crisis has reminded us that without a watchful eye, the market can spin out of control. The nation cannot prosper long when it favors only the prosperous.

The success of our economy has always depended not just on the size of our gross domestic product, but on the reach of our prosperity; on the ability to extend opportunity to every willing heart -- not out of charity, but because it is the surest route to our common good.

As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals.

Our founding fathers (datum 6) faced with perils that we can scarcely imagine, drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and the rights of man, a charter expanded by the blood of generations.

Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expedience's sake.

And so, to all other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and we are ready to lead once more.

Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism and communism not just with missiles and tanks, but with the sturdy alliances and enduring convictions.

They understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please. Instead, they knew that our power grows through its prudent use. Our security

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emanates from the justness of our cause; the force of our example; the tempering qualities of humility and restraint.

We are the keepers of this legacy, guided by these principles once more, we can meet those new threats that demand even greater effort, even greater cooperation and understanding between nations. We'll begin to responsibly leave Iraq to its people and forge a hard- earned peace in Afghanistan.

With old friends and former foes, we'll work tirelessly to lessen the nuclear threat and roll back the specter of a warming planet.

We will not apologize for our way of life nor will we waver in its defense.

And for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that, "Our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken. You cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you."

For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness.

We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus, and nonbelievers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth.

And because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace.

To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect.

To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict (datum 16) or blame their society's ills on the West, know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy.

To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history, but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.

To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds.

And to those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to the suffering outside our borders, nor can we consume the world's resources without regard to effect. For the world has changed and we must change with it.

As we consider the road that unfolds before us, we remember with humble gratitude those brave Americans who, at this very hour, patrol far-off deserts and distant mountains. They have something to tell us, just as the fallen heroes who lie in Arlington whisper through the ages.

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We honor them not only because they are guardians of our liberty, but because they embody the spirit of service: a willingness to find meaning in something greater than themselves.

And yet, at this moment, a moment that will define a generation, it is precisely this spirit that must inhabit us all.

For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation relies.

It is the kindness to take in a stranger when the levees break; the selflessness of workers who would rather cut their hours than see a friend lose their job which sees us through our darkest hours.

It is the firefighter's courage to storm a stairway filled with smoke, but also a parent's willingness to nurture a child, that finally decides our fate.

Our challenges may be new, the instruments with which we meet them may be new, but those values upon which our success depends, honesty and hard work, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism -- these things are old.

These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history.

What is demanded then is a return to these truths. What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility -- a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character than giving our all to a difficult task.

This is the price and the promise of citizenship.

This is the source of our confidence: the knowledge that God calls on us to shape an uncertain destiny.

This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed, why men and women and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration across this magnificent mall. And why a man whose father less than 60 years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath.

So let us mark this day in remembrance of who we are and how far we have traveled (datum 14).

In the year of America's birth, in the coldest of months, a small band of patriots huddled by nine campfires on the shores of an icy river.

The capital was abandoned. The enemy was advancing. The snow was stained with blood.

At a moment when the outcome of our revolution was most in doubt, the father of our nation (datum 7)ordered these words be read to the people:

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"Let it be told to the future world that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive, that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet it."

America, in the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words; with hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come (datum 9); let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.

Thank you. God bless you. And God bless the United States of America.

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Barack Obama Second Inaugural Address

Washington, D.C. January 21, 2013

Vice President Biden, Mr. Chief Justice, members of the United States Congress, distinguished guests, and fellow citizens:

Each time we gather to inaugurate a President we bear witness to the enduring strength of our Constitution. We affirm the promise of our democracy. We recall that what binds this nation together is not the colors of our skin or the tenets of our faith or the origins of our names. What makes us exceptional -- what makes us American -- is our allegiance to an idea articulated in a declaration made more than two centuries ago:

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."

Today we continue a never-ending journey to bridge the meaning of those words with the realities of our time. For history tells us that while these truths may be self-evident, they've never been self-executing; that while freedom is a gift from God, it must be secured by His people here on Earth. The patriots of 1776 did not fight to replace the tyranny of a king with the privileges of a few or the rule of a mob. They gave to us a republic, a government of, and by, and for the people, entrusting each generation to keep safe our founding creed.

And for more than two hundred years, we have.

Through blood drawn by lash and blood drawn by sword, we learned that no union founded on the principles of liberty and equality could survive half-slave and half-free. We made ourselves anew, and vowed to move forward together.

Together, we determined that a modern economy requires railroads and highways to speed travel and commerce, schools and colleges to train our workers.

Together, we discovered that a free market only thrives when there are rules to ensure competition and fair play.

Together, we resolved that a great nation must care for the vulnerable, and protect its people from life's worst hazards and misfortune.

Through it all, we have never relinquished our skepticism of central authority, nor have we succumbed to the fiction that all society's ills can be cured through government alone. Our celebration of initiative and enterprise, our insistence on hard work and personal responsibility, these are constants in our character.

But we have always understood that when times change, so must we; that fidelity to our founding principles requires new responses to new challenges; that preserving our individual freedoms ultimately requires collective action. For the American people can no

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more meet the demands of today's world by acting alone than American soldiers could have met the forces of fascism or communism with muskets and militias. No single person can train all the math and science teachers we'll need to equip our children for the future, or build the roads and networks and research labs that will bring new jobs and businesses to our shores. Now, more than ever, we must do these things together, as one nation and one people.

This generation of Americans has been tested by crises that steeled our resolve and proved our resilience. A decade of war is now ending. An economic recovery (datum 5) has begun. America's possibilities are limitless, for we possess all the qualities that this world without boundaries demands: youth and drive; diversity and openness; an endless capacity for risk and a gift for reinvention. My fellow Americans, we are made for this moment, and we will seize it -- so long as we seize it together.

For we, the people, understand that our country cannot succeed when a shrinking few do very well and a growing many barely make it. We believe that America's prosperity must rest upon the broad shoulders of a rising middle class. We know that America thrives when every person can find independence and pride in their work; when the wages of honest labor liberate families from the brink of hardship. We are true to our creed when a little girl born into the bleakest poverty knows that she has the same chance to succeed as anybody else, because she is an American; she is free, and she is equal, not just in the eyes of God but also in our own.

We understand that outworn programs are inadequate to the needs of our time. So we must harness new ideas and technology to remake our government, revamp our tax code, reform our schools, and empower our citizens with the skills they need to work harder, learn more, reach higher. But while the means will change, our purpose endures: a nation that rewards the effort and determination of every single American. That is what this moment requires. That is what will give real meaning to our creed.

We, the people, still believe that every citizen deserves a basic measure of security and dignity. We must make the hard choices to reduce the cost of health care and the size of our deficit. But we reject the belief that America must choose between caring for the generation that built this country and investing in the generation that will build its future. For we remember the lessons of our past, when twilight years were spent in poverty and parents of a child with a disability had nowhere to turn.

We do not believe that in this country freedom is reserved for the lucky, or happiness for the few. We recognize that no matter how responsibly we live our lives, any one of us at any time may face a job loss, or a sudden illness, or a home swept away in a terrible storm. The commitments we make to each other through Medicare and Medicaid and Social Security, these things do not sap our initiative, they strengthen us. They do not make us a nation of takers; they free us to take the risks that make this country great.

We, the people, still believe that our obligations as Americans are not just to ourselves, but to all posterity. We will respond to the threat of climate change, knowing that the failure to do so would betray our children and future generations. Some may still deny the overwhelming judgment of science, but none can avoid the devastating impact of raging fires and crippling drought and more powerful storms.

The path towards sustainable energy sources will be long and sometimes difficult. But America cannot resist this transition, we must lead it. We cannot cede to other nations the

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technology that will power new jobs and new industries, we must claim its promise. That's how we will maintain our economic vitality and our national treasure -- our forests and waterways, our crop lands and snow-capped peaks. That is how we will preserve our planet, commanded to our care by God. That's what will lend meaning to the creed our fathers once declared.

We, the people, still believe that enduring security and lasting peace do not require perpetual war. Our brave men and women in uniform, tempered by the flames of battle, are unmatched in skill and courage. Our citizens, seared by the memory of those we have lost, know too well the price that is paid for liberty. The knowledge of their sacrifice will keep us forever vigilant against those who would do us harm. But we are also heirs to those who won the peace and not just the war; who turned sworn enemies into the surest of friends -- and we must carry those lessons into this time as well.

We will defend our people and uphold our values through strength of arms and rule of law. We will show the courage to try and resolve our differences with other nations peacefully -- not because we are naïve about the dangers we face, but because engagement can more durably lift suspicion and fear.

America will remain the anchor of strong alliances in every corner of the globe. And we will renew those institutions that extend our capacity to manage crisis abroad, for no one has a greater stake in a peaceful world than its most powerful nation. We will support democracy from Asia to Africa, from the Americas to the Middle East, because our interests and our conscience compel us to act on behalf of those who long for freedom. And we must be a source of hope to the poor, the sick, the marginalized, the victims of prejudice -- not out of mere charity, but because peace in our time requires the constant advance of those principles that our common creed describes: tolerance and opportunity, human dignity and justice.

We, the people, declare today that the most evident of truths -- that all of us are created equal -- is the star that guides us still; just as it guided our forebears through Seneca Falls, and Selma, and Stonewall; just as it guided all those men and women, sung and unsung, who left footprints along this great Mall, to hear a preacher say that we cannot walk alone; to hear a King proclaim that our individual freedom is inextricably bound to the freedom of every soul on Earth.

It is now our generation's task to carry on what those pioneers began. For our journey is not complete until our wives, our mothers and daughters can earn a living equal to their efforts. Our journey is not complete until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the law for if we are truly created equal, then surely the love we commit to one another must be equal as well. Our journey is not complete until no citizen is forced to wait for hours to exercise the right to vote. Our journey is not complete until we find a better way to welcome the striving, hopeful immigrants who still see America as a land of opportunity until bright young students and engineers are enlisted in our workforce rather than expelled from our country. Our journey is not complete until all our children, from the streets of Detroit to the hills of Appalachia, to the quiet lanes of Newtown, know that they are cared for and cherished and always safe from harm.

That is our generation's task -- to make these words, these rights, these values of life and liberty and the pursuit of happiness real for every American. Being true to our founding documents does not require us to agree on every contour of life. It does not mean we all define liberty in exactly the same way or follow the same precise path to happiness.

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Progress does not compel us to settle centuries-long debates about the role of government for all time, but it does require us to act in our time.

For now decisions are upon us and we cannot afford delay. We cannot mistake absolutism for principle, or substitute spectacle for politics, or treat name-calling as reasoned debate. We must act, knowing that our work will be imperfect. We must act, knowing that today's victories will be only partial and that it will be up to those who stand here in four years and 40 years and 400 years hence to advance the timeless spirit once conferred to us in a spare Philadelphia hall.

My fellow Americans, the oath I have sworn before you today, like the one recited by others who serve in this Capitol, was an oath to God and country, not party or faction. And we must faithfully execute that pledge during the duration of our service. But the words I spoke today are not so different from the oath that is taken each time a soldier signs up for duty or an immigrant realizes her dream. My oath is not so different from the pledge we all make to the flag that waves above and that fills our hearts with pride.

They are the words of citizens and they represent our greatest hope. You and I, as citizens, have the power to set this country's course. You and I, as citizens, have the obligation to shape the debates of our time -- not only with the votes we cast, but with the voices we lift in defense of our most ancient values and enduring ideals.

Let us, each of us, now embrace with solemn duty and awesome joy what is our lasting birthright. With common effort and common purpose, with passion and dedication, let us answer the call of history and carry into an uncertain future that precious light of freedom.

Thank you. God bless you, and may He forever bless these United States of America.

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