THE SEMANTICS OF MODAL AUXILIARY VERBS IN THE 2018 SECOND TERM INAUGURAL SPEECH OF GOVERNOR WILLIE OBIANO IN ANAMBRA STATE

Abstract

The  study  explores  the  semantics  of  modal  auxiliary  verbs  in  the  2018  Second  TermInaugural Speech of Governor Willie Obiano in Anambra State. The objectives of the study are to identify the  modal  auxiliary  verbs  that  are  frequently  used  in  the  second  term  inaugural  speech  of Governor  Willie  Obiano  and  to  identify  how  the  semantic  meanings  of  these  modal  auxiliary verbs  have  contributed  to  the  overall  message  conveyed  in  the  inaugural  speech.  The  design  of the study was both quantitative and qualitative. The study reveals that modals such as will, shall, must, can, would, among others were used by the Governor in his second term inaugural speech to  make  promises,  declare  his  intentions,  prove  theoretical  possibility,  demonstrate  political will/commitment,  solicit  for  further  support  and  solidarity  and  emphasize  the  obligation  before him and  the  people  of  Anambra  State  to  do  things  right.  Thus,‘will’is  the  most  preponderantly used modal verb in the speech representing 35.6% of the total number of modals.This reinforces Quirk  et  al.’s  (55)  stance  that ‘will’indicates  intention  or  promise.It  can  be  considered intentional and strategic  given that by  bombarding the people with  a lot of realistic promises,  a political leader is likely to be given full support and acceptance by the people. Significantly, this paper provides semantic insight into the peculiar uses of modals in political speeches and affirms positively  that  modals  are  not  just  linguistic  elements,  but  most  importantly  ideological  tools used for persuasion in political discourse.