Speech Enigma: The Semantics of Doublespeak in the Presidents' Speech

This book delved at determining the doublespeak in the last State of the Nation Addresses (SONA¿s) of the twelve Philippine presidents. Political speeches were carefully analyzed to extract the euphemism, inflated language, gobbledygook statements, and jargons used. Also, the president who utilized the most number of each classification of doublespeak was identified. Purposes for using doublespeak in political speeches were also named. Findings show that there are a number of euphemism, inflated language, gobbledygook, and jargons in the speeches. Of the four classifications of doublespeak, jargons are the most prevalent. In addition, it is Ferdinand Marcos, who used the most number of euphemism and inflated language, while it is Elpidio Quirino, who used the most count of gobbledygook and jargon in the speech. Furthermore, it is identified that presidents had purposes in using these doublespeak words. Generally, they use doublespeak to mislead or deceive people, give an air of importance to individuals or situations, show authority or profundity, and simply overwhelm people with words.