Topic > Analysis of Nelson Mandela's Moral Discourse - 1277

In his article "Do you speak presidential?" Trester explains how language is a powerful political tool used by presidents to convey a sense of pity and it is not always what you say but how you say it that matters (399). This sheds light on Mandela's speech with his use of pathos to address the audience's emotions and pity. “That spiritual and physical unity we all share with this common homeland explains the depth of pain we all carried in our hearts when we saw our country torn apart in terrible conflict” (419). “Every time one of us touches the soil of this earth, we feel a sense of personal renewal” (419). The language and tone that Mandela speaks in his projects is a sense of pity, as Trester says. Trester also explains how language creates an identity. “Language is and will continue to be an important tool for creating identity” (403). This highlights Mandela's rhetorical use of ethics. Mandela's image and credibility are well known in South Africa, his past has made this a little easier and his connection with African citizens has made him more than just a president but someone they can relate to. Mandela assures people that he has suffered the same suffering and long-standing discrimination and repeatedly uses "we" in his speech. “We still understand that there is no easy road to freedom” (420). «We know well that none of us can achieve success acting alone. We must therefore act together as a united people, for national reconciliation, for nation building, for the birth of a new world" (420). William Lutz, professor of English at Rutgers University, talks about "Doubts About Doublespeak" which I think also has a hold on Mandela's speech. Lutz's articles refer to how doublespeak is a language that pretends to communicate but does not (380). The fourth type of ambiguous language is exaggerated language, which makes the ordinary seem ordinary