Great regard for present-day speech (9)
I believe the answer is:
adoration
'great regard' is the definition.
'adoration' can be an answer for 'regard' (I have seen 'high regard' mean 'adoration' so perhaps 'regard' could also mean 'adoration'). I am not certain of the 'great' bit.
'present-day speech' is the wordplay.
'present day' becomes 'AD' (as opposed to BC).
'speech' becomes 'oration' (oration is a kind of speech).
'ad'+'oration'='ADORATION'
'for' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for adoration that I've seen before include "high esteem" , "What star gets from fans" , "passionate allegiance" , "Deep love and respect" , "Honour" .)