Raciolinguistic Constraints and the Discursive Negotiation of Identity: A Critical Discourse Analysis of Political Discourse

This study re-examines Barack Obama’s 2008 speech A More Perfect Union through the lens of critical discourse analysis (CDA) in conjunction with the framework of raciolinguistics. In particular, by integrating the concept of the White Speaking and Listening Subject, the study moves beyond traditional rhetorical analysis to demonstrate how language constructs social identities and negotiates ideological tensions surrounding race and nationhood. By examining key discursive strategies such as pronoun usage, metaphor, modality, and intertextuality, the analysis reveals how Obama navigates competing narratives of division and unity. The findings illustrate the performative role of language in political discourse as a site of identity construction and power negotiation. The study also discusses broader sociolinguistic and pedagogical implications, emphasizing the importance of critical language awareness in fostering democratic participation and social justice. Suggestions for future research include cross-cultural comparisons, multimodal analysis, and audience reception studies.