This research paper employs Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) to examine how language functions as a tool of persuasion and power in contemporary political discourse. Drawing on M.A.K. Halliday’s Systemic Functional Grammar (SFG), particularly its interpersonal metafunction, the study analyzes selected speeches by U.S. President Joe Biden and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The analysis focuses on the strategic deployment of modal verbs and personal pronouns to uncover how these linguistic choices construct authority, shape narratives, and influence audience perception. Findings indicate that both leaders strategically utilize high and medium-value modal operators to express commitment and possibility, while a nuanced use of personal pronouns (especially "we" and "I") builds solidarity, defines collective identity, and asserts individual leadership. This study underscores the critical role of linguistic choices in achieving political objectives and provides insights into the persuasive mechanisms inherent in high-stakes political communication.
Neeraj Kumar Parashari (Mon,) studied this question.