Social deixis as politeness strategy in Joe Biden's inauguration speech

Aghnia Salema, Salma (2025) Social deixis as politeness strategy in Joe Biden's inauguration speech. Sarjana thesis, UIN Sunan Gunung Djati Bandung.

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Abstract

Political speeches often serve as powerful tools to reflect identity, authority, and solidarity. In high-stakes political discourse such as presidential inaugurations, language is carefully crafted not only to deliver messages but also to construct social relationships and manage public perception. This study investigates the types and functions of social deixis and how politeness strategies are realized through deixis in President Joe Biden’s inaugural speech on January 21, 2021. The research draws on Stephen C. Levinson’s theory of deixis and Brown and Levinson’s politeness framework. Using a descriptive qualitative method, the speech transcript was examined to identify utterances containing relational and absolute social deixis, which were then analyzed to determine their functions and pragmatic roles. Out of 110 utterances identified, 96 are classified as relational social deixis, including inclusive pronouns and formal address terms, while 14 fall under absolute social deixis, such as institutional references. These expressions serve to reduce social distance, promote unity, express respect, and affirm institutional roles. Politeness strategies are embedded within these deixis choices, with positive politeness being the most dominant strategy, aiming to strengthen social bonds, align values, and encourage cooperation. Negative politeness is typically employed in more formal or sensitive parts of the speech, reflecting deference and an effort to minimize imposition. In conclusion, the use of social deixis in Biden’s speech functions as a rhetorical and pragmatic device that promotes inclusivity, respect, and national cohesion.

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