Learn English from Obama’s acceptance speech
Students can benefit greatly from listening to great speakers, such as Barack Obama. In many ways, I think Obama won the presidential election by speaking calmly on the issues. His speeches were not as strong as I had expected. However, after winning the election, he gave an acceptance speech that I think communicates not only his hope for the future, but also the responsibility that every American shares to solve our problems. He did not just use a lot of beautiful words and phrases. He clearly and powerfully communicated an important message. I believe it is a truly great speech. You can watch it, and read the full text, by clicking on this link:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ynews/20081105/pl_ynews/ynews_pl137_6
Students of English should make a serious effort to listen to the speech and read it if that helps you understand. Think about how Obama talks to his audience and reaches them effectively. If you have any questions (or comments) about the speech, leave them in the comments section below.
hanane Said,
November 6, 2008 @ 7:56 pm
HELLO,
I listened to Obam’s speech, and read some of its extracts. as I can notice, it’s a speech that adopts a simple level of language, but a language that goes straight to the heart and mind. while listening, despite I am no an American, I can feel it, and feel the need that every word was true. Obama’s speech reminds me of that of Martin Luther King ” I Have A Dream” But Martin’s is more stronger.
Something I want you to clarify, that is the expression ” will you be there, or we will be there” an expression that I can understand but I cannot explain or paraphrase.
I hope all the best to the AMERICANS, and to this beatiful earth on which I hope to live as one.
teacherjoe Said,
November 8, 2008 @ 2:05 am
Hi Hanane, thanks for your comments!
I think it is difficult to compare this speech to “I have a dream”. The purpose of Dr. King’s speech was to inspire people to keep hope. Obama had to do much more in his speech. He not only had to talk of hope, he also had to reach out to those people who voted for the other guy, while also sending a message to leaders of other nations. He could not be so inspiring, but he was still effective in getting his message out.
As for the expression you wrote (”will you be there, or we will be there”), I cannot find it in the speech! Which speech was that in? This one line by itself is too vague for me to guess the meaning. Can you give me the exact context? Thanks.
May Said,
November 9, 2008 @ 1:11 am
Dear Joe,
I have watched and read the whloe speech a few times this week, and I was very moved by him to use the saying from a great man, Lincoln that was “We are not enemies, but friends…”. I hope the new President of US use the same attitude to the whloe world. We all hope live in the peaceful world.
I read the first comment and I read the speech again, but only I couldn’t find the word as you saied. Finally, I found the sentence that was” I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you - we as a people will get there. ” For me, I have a question between “will get there” and “will be there” . Could you tell me if they are defferent? Thanks !
teacherjoe Said,
November 9, 2008 @ 11:17 am
Hi May,
Thanks for your comment!
Yes, “will get there” and “will be there” are quite different. If I say “we will get there”, I am emphasizing the journey, maybe even the struggle, to get there, with the arrival at the end. Obama is suggesting that we may have a hard time in succeeding, but we certainy will succeed some day.
If I say “we will be there”, then our arrival is the beginning and from that beginning, we can start to do something. I am not sure we could use “will be there” in Obama’s speech. If he said “we will be there”, then I would wonder, “and then what?”. What will we do together after we arrive?
A common example of “will be there” is when we tell someone “I will be there for you”, which means that I will help you when you have trouble. The time needed to arrive is not important. The important thing is that, after I arrive, you will have my help.
I hope that helps!
hanane Said,
November 11, 2008 @ 11:05 am
A BIG thank you Dear Teacher Joe.
as well as to May.
Mari Said,
January 9, 2009 @ 12:42 am
Dear Joe,
I am writing from Japan and have a question about words in Obama’s victory speech. Would you teach me?
In the 28th paragraph of the speech, he said “But, America, I have never been more hopeful that I am tonight that we will get there.” and in the 29th paragraph, “I promise you, we as a people will get there.”
Was he calling at America in the speech? If so, why?
And if he was calling at America, can I take “I promise you” as
“he promises America?”
Thank you. Mari
teacherjoe Said,
January 9, 2009 @ 2:38 pm
Hi Mari,
I am not sure I understand your question. Obama’s speech was to the whole nation, so of course, “you” must mean “all of America”. Could you tell me why you doubt that?
Mari Said,
January 10, 2009 @ 4:24 am
Dear Joe,
Thank you very much for your response. I really appreciate it.
The reason why I asked the question was that I couldn’t understand what Mr.Obama had meant by the word “America”
in his speech: “But, America, I have never been more hopeful that I am tonight that we will get there.”
Can I take this “America” as “all of America” or “the people of
America?”