Bushism

Question 1

What do we know about George W. Bush? (5)

Answer 1

• 43rd president of united states (2001-2009)
• governor of Texas (1995-2000)
• won the presidency despite losing the popular vote against Democrat Al Gore
• tax cut programme, education reform bill, free trade agreements
• “war on Terror” - 2001 invasion of Afghanistan, 2003 invasion of Iraq

Question 2

Analize Bush’s speech upon arrival

Answer 2

1- external source of legitimation: nationalism and God;
2- historical importance of the US culture: “our economy will come back”, “we’re a nation of civil rights but we’re also a nation under attack”;
3- the evil other: “new kind of enemy, somebody so barbaric they would fly airplanes into buildings full of innocent people” -> dehumanising effect
4- appeal to unity: “to rout terrorim out of the world”.

Question 3

What definition of Bushism does Jimmy Kimmel provide?

Answer 3

Occasional verbal gaffe.

Question 4

What is the most famous Bushism (cf. clip)?

Answer 4

“You’re working hard to put food on your family”

Question 5

Why is “You teach a child to read and he or her will be able to pass a literacy test” an instance of Bushism?

Answer 5

Because Bush wouldn’t be able to pass a literacy test since he says “he or her”

Question 6

“I guess I am going to fade into Bolivian” : what would the right collocation be?

Answer 6

Fade into oblivion

Question 7

What are istances of binomials? Make examples.

Answer 7

In language studies, a pair of words (for example, loud and clear) conventionally linked by a conjunction (usually and) or a preposition is called a binomial, or a binomial pair.
Examples: “bigger and better”, “bread and butter”, “dead or alive”, …

Question 8

What are ellipses? Make examples.

Answer 8

Depending on context, ellipsis can indicate an unfinished thought, a leading statement, a slight pause, an echoing voice, or a nervous or awkward silence.
Example: “The world was loud with carnage and sirens, and then [ellipsis] quiet with missing voices”,

Question 9

What are antithesis? Make examples.

Answer 9

An antithesis is mainly used to portray the stark difference between the two opposing ideas.
Example: Keep your mouth closed and your eyes open; Hope for the best; prepare for the worst.