EXPLORING THE HIDDEN AGENDA OF BARACK OBAMA IN HIS FAREWELL SPEECH: A CORPUS-BASED ANALYSIS

Abstract

This study analyzes Barack Obama's Farewell Speech to the United States Armed Forces using Sketch Engine, revealing a speech rich in rhetorical strategies and thematic complexity. The analysis highlights Obama's use of personal address, emotional appeal, and thematic repetition to convey gratitude, reflect on the responsibilities of leadership, and emphasize the lasting connection between the military and the American people. Serving both as a tribute to the military's achievements and a call to continue upholding the values of service, sacrifice, and leadership, the speech is a key contribution to the tradition of presidential farewell addresses. The corpus analysis provides valuable insights into the speech's linguistic and rhetorical features, offering a deeper understanding of its impact and significance in reinforcing the unique relationship between the Commander-in-Chief and the armed forces.