Stylistic Analysis of Bach’s Speech at the Opening Ceremony of Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022

Abstract

This paper uses both qualitative and quantitative methods to analyze the speech of Thomas Bach, the president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), at the opening ceremony of Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022 in three aspects: vocabulary, syntax, and rhetorical devices. By calculating word frequency and sentence length according to the tape script of this speech, the result shows that the language is inspiring with many short and simple sentences. Bach is good at using declarative and exclamatory sentences, flexible use of personal pronouns and rhetorical devices, and his language is vivid and imaginative, which can inspire athletes and people around the world to face challenges in a new year. Through discourse analysis, we can better understand the spirit and meaning conveyed by speeches at international gatherings.