The aphoristic potential of presidential rhetoric of G. Bush Jr.

This research paper concentrates on the analysis of the aphoristic potential of G. W. Bush’s presidential rhetoric. Aphorisms are the most ancient laconic forms of expressing original and completed thoughts which reveal the peculiarity of their authors’ world perception and worldview. From this perspective, these units can serve as the means of values codification. Repeatability and widespread use of aphorisms in various communications contribute to transmitting the values and ideas between the generations. Political aphorisms, which are a combination of aphoristic expressions from political communication and discourse, play an important role in this process. The authors of these expressions are not only politicians, but also philosophers, historians, writers, celebrities of different nationalities and generations. Presidential rhetoric is an integral and significant part of political discourse. The use of aphorisms as the means of codification of national and common human values in President G. W. Bush’s formal addresses and speeches is intentional. It makes them concise and original, influential and convincing. Aphoristic expressions denoting common human values show the ideas and beliefs of their authors, as well as the politician, about life, justice, equality, freedom, faith, family. Aphorisms defining national values become the means of updating concepts of democracy, unity and diversity, freedom and security, success, and opportunity to fulfill one’s potential in American society. The distinctive feature of G.W. Bush’s rhetoric is the frequent use of aphorisms whose authors are the Founding Fathers