LINGUISTIC SHIFTS IN PRESIDENTIAL ENGLISH: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF SELECTED SONAS FROM ARROYO TO MARCOS JR.

This study explores the linguistic features of selected State of the Nation Addresses (SONAs) delivered by Philippine presidents from Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to Ferdinand Marcos Jr., analyzing shifts in sentence structure, vocabulary use, and code-switching practices. Employing a qualitative comparative approach, the research examines eight SONAs—two from each administration—to identify patterns of language features evolution over time. The findings reveal a clear transition from technocratic formalism in Arroyo’s speeches to populist and accessible discourse under Duterte, with Marcos Jr. representing a strategic hybridization of both styles. Vocabulary use followed a similar trajectory, evolving from policy-dense jargon to emotionally resonant and simplified language. Code-switching, once minimal, became a rhetorical tool for relatability and national sentiment, especially under Duterte and Marcos Jr. These shifts reflect broader sociopolitical dynamics, including audience democratization and the influence of mass media. The study concludes that such linguistic transformations not only define political communication trends but also provide a pedagogically rich source for English Language Teaching (ELT) in multilingual and multicultural classrooms. Recommendations include the use of SONAs in developing teaching materials, fostering critical discourse skills, and enhancing civic awareness through language education.