GUTEMA, HAILU (PhD)Teklesillasie, Habtamu2020-02-042023-11-082020-02-042023-11-082019-12http://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/123456789/20549The main purpose of this thesis was to critically analyze the inaugural speeches of the two Prime Ministers, Meles Zenawi (on 9th May of 1995) and Dr. Abiy Ahmed (2nd April of 2018). Norman Fairclough‟s model known as the tri-dimensional approach to critically discourse analysis was employed for the purpose. The analysis involved identifying linguistic features used in the two speeches typical discursive characteristics underlying the inaugural speeches and exploring their relationship with socio cultural practice. The data analysis of text demonstrates the two politicians‟ lexical choice was made in line with the political ideologies they endorsed. Meles‟s representation of the EPRDF and the government projects his view as positive while Abiy employed lexical elements to criticize the 27 years of EPRDF and the government. Ethiopian Nationalism was given less (even no) importance in the speech of Meles while Abiy boldly set to magnify the discourse along with the use „God‟ and „Mother‟ to win the interest of the „mass‟. The revelation of plans in the speech indicated the political thought they are accustomed ith,developmental state for Meles and purely liberal for Abiy. Abiy gave priority to youths than Meles who strategically brought nations and nationalities instead. Political parties and ideologically different views were identified which demonstrated Meles‟s authoritative and Abiy‟s strategic approach. Metaphor,metonymy and paradox were the rhetoric devices used in the speeches. The result of the transitive analysis showed that Abiy had created an own chance to express his feelings, which was inclusive as government, Meles used the mental process expressing construction in its passive form to leave actions open to the unknown doer, perhaps himself. Unlike Meles, Abiy‟s positive sentences and remark had negative connotation and stronger effect. In using pronouns, that showed power struggle, Abiy‟s „I‟ used to ask for forgiveness and take responsibility while Meles‟s was mostly to urge. And, Abiy „We‟ found to be inclusive than Meles‟s. Presuppositions were utilized for some indirect ideological statements.Senationalization was the discursive strategy used. Social political tendencies of the „mass‟ and peoples‟excessive but explicit need , social realities in general , had been manipulated and functioned as a base for the two Politian‟s ideological endorsement. The analysis of the political speeches and its meaning gleamed a moral line of communication between a politician and his people. The analysis is analysis of political language which is a form of communication and everything starts from language.en-USThesis