The Replicants were living, sentient, self-aware beings, aware of their own mortality. But remarkably, Batty didn't seem afraid, disproving that one trope about sentient beings fearing mortality. More like the Bene Geserit creed, that "fear is the mind killer", and higher beings aren't controlled by their fear.
Thinking about the events in the minute or so preceding the speech, I think Roy Batty was holding it together just long enough to be able to unburden himself, at the last, to Decker. To finally justify his existence, and defy the dissolving of memory in rain by ensuring Decker would remember him. He died, but he won that much.
BTW, about the bird: I noticed on another viewing that Batty was holding the dove when sat down. Not sure why he picked it up, but its flying away wasn't a random act, it signified that he'd released his grip on it as he died. And sure, metaphorically his soul rose to Heaven blah blah blah, but I don't think that fillip was as cheesy as it might seem.
Science Fiction » in reply to And he was only four years old.
His short speech resolved all the philosophical and moral issues the movie raised
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- Tears in rain