Temitope A BALOGUN | Osun state University (original) (raw)
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Papers by Temitope A BALOGUN
Studies in English Language Teaching, 2018
Political interviews are one of the ways by which political office-seekers in Nigeria sell themse... more Political interviews are one of the ways by which political office-seekers in Nigeria sell themselves to the electorates. Extant studies have examined the discourse of political interviews from conversational, philosophical, rhetorical, stylistic and pragmatic perspectives with insufficient attention paid to grammatical forms and communicative intentions of the interviews granted by the two presidential aspirants in 2015 Nigerian General election. This study therefore fills this scholarly gap with the aim of unmasking their grammatical forms and communicative styles, intention and credibility. The paper adopts Halliday’s Systemic Functional Grammar specifically interpersonal function coupled with Searle’s model of Speech Acts Theory as theoretical framework. A total of six interviews granted by the two presidential aspirants in media serve as the source of our data. It is discovered that, in most cases, politicians’ communicative intention is to “pull down” their political opponents...
jpanafrican.com
This paper investigates how interrogative clauses are used to perform various functions within th... more This paper investigates how interrogative clauses are used to perform various functions within the society and how they are used to exhibit power within different human structures. A critical survey of interrogative clauses presents them as instruments that project power among different groups within human processes. Critical Discourse Analysis complemented with Speech Acts constitutes the theoretical framework for the study. The data for this study were culled out from selected texts of Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo namely: The Last of the Strong Ones, Fractures and Fragments, Echoes in the Mind and Children of the Eagle. A total number of thirty-eight interrogative clauses were selected from these texts to show the different uses to which interrogative clauses are put as well as to observe how clauses are used to demonstrate the interplay of power. These were subjected to content analysis with a view to bringing out the inherent power relations within the interrogative clauses. The data revealed that interrogative clauses go beyond the scope of seeking for information. Different interrogative clauses as shown in the data were used to show the interplay of power and various illocutionary forces among different classes of people. These range from surprise, amazement, indignation, anger, emotion, wishes, threat, sarcasm, social ills, and many others. It also revealed that dominant personalities that wielded power intentionally exercised such over the seemingly powerless class among various people in the society. The significance of this is seen in the fact that language is used to perform various functions within the social system. The knowledge of this would help language users to see beyond the linguistic items and concentrate on areas where there are power relations and possibly abuse of power within the clause system in order to correct the abuse embedded within human processes so as to enhance equality and fairness for a better society.
Journal of African Studies, 2016
Existing studies claimed that begging activities in South-western Nigeria are encouraged largely ... more Existing studies claimed that begging activities in South-western Nigeria are encouraged largely by cultural influences and uneven distri ution of the n tion‟s resources. They further claim that the cultural activities re tr ce le to the or system which encourages mothers of twins to sing and dance for money. This paper investigates the claims by dr wing insights from the i le, Qur‟ n, f Literary Corpus, nd relev nt or proverbs. Findings show, among other things, that the claim about cultural influence, nonprovision of free education, and failure of the Nigerian government to break the cycle of poverty as the causes of alms-begging are mere excuses. The practice of polygamy with its attendant indiscriminate procreation among Nigerians is the major cause of alms-begging in the nation. It argues that any suggestion to improve the economy of Nigeria as well as economically empower individuals in the country will be a mirage or an exercise in futility if the problem caused by polygamy a...
This paper examines the low-usage of Yoruba language among some selected secondary school student... more This paper examines the low-usage of Yoruba language among some selected secondary school students in Yorubaland. The paper uses questionnaire with cloze test to measure the knowledge of Yoruba language among respondents in three Yoruba speaking states in southwestern Nigeria. The results of the data show that Yoruba language enjoys low patronage and patriotism amongst the students used for the data. Many of these students found it extremely difficult to express themselves freely in Yoruba language and at the same time, they were unable to provide meanings for selected Yoruba proverbs, words, and expressions. The significance of this work is seen in the fact that Yoruba language stands the risk of gradual extinction if urgent measures are not taken by all stakeholders concerned to arrest the dwindling fortunes of the language.
Journal of Emerging Trends in Educational Research and Policy Studies, Jun 1, 2013
Journal of Languages and Culture, Jul 31, 2013
This paper attempts to argue that Nigerian Pidgin is a fully developed language with its own rich... more This paper attempts to argue that Nigerian Pidgin is a fully developed language with its own rich lexicosemantics and syntax, which have evolved like any other language through contact and modification. It argues that the semantic and lexical veracity of Nigerian Pidgin cannot be vitiated in spite of its serious marginalization. This position is established based on the outcome of an empirical study carried out on the perception, use and attitudes towards Nigerian Pidgin in formal and informal settings. The data and analysis presented in this paper are based on samples of spontaneous speech collected in a formal setting, like school, and in informal settings such as market, church and private homes. The paper points out that Nigerian Pidgin is not an inferior language, nor a plague-ridden linguistic system, when compared to other well-described languages of the world. Rather, it is a second language that reflects productivity, simplicity, acceptability and understanding among Nigerians. Though highly marginalized, Nigerian Pidgin is actually a lingua franca because it is a variety that serves broad spectrum of Nigerian inhabitants, whose divergence transcends ethnic, religious and class boundaries. Given the crucial inter-ethnic and intra-ethnic communicative functions of Nigerian Pidgin in various social strata of the people's life, the paper concludes suggestively, that Nigerian Pidgin should be accorded official recognition.
European Scientific Journal, 2012
This paper explores the possibilities of achieving a viable language of human rights activism in ... more This paper explores the possibilities of achieving a viable language of human rights activism in contemporary Nigeria. It argues that the style of language of human right activists is predominantly violent, harsh and incapable of achieving the crucial goals and visions of human right activism in Nigeria: The methodology is analytical and empirical. In its analytical approach, it discusses the meaning and roles of language in societal cohesion. Its empirical character derives from the collation and analysis of data of some selected speeches of Nigerian activists on violation of citizens' human rights, conflict resolution and effective democratization process. Finally, while recognizing the pivotal role of human rights activism in contemporary Nigeria, the paper emphasizes the need to inject humane linguistic items that reflect a measure of respect, integrity and modesty in the language style of human rights activists. This is necessary in order to achieve dialogue, understanding and consensus on controversial issues among human rights activists, government functionaries and stakeholders in the Nigerian state. This is the only viable path to sustainable democracy and human development.
European Scientific Journal, 2012
This paper explores the possibilities of achieving a viable language of human rights activism in ... more This paper explores the possibilities of achieving a viable language of human rights activism in contemporary Nigeria. It argues that the style of language of human right activists is predominantly violent, harsh and incapable of achieving the crucial goals and visions of human right activism in Nigeria: The methodology is analytical and empirical. In its analytical approach, it discusses the meaning and roles of language in societal cohesion. Its empirical character derives from the collation and analysis of data of some selected speeches of Nigerian activists on violation of citizens' human rights, conflict resolution and effective democratization process. Finally, while recognizing the pivotal role of human rights activism in contemporary Nigeria, the paper emphasizes the need to inject humane linguistic items that reflect a measure of respect, integrity and modesty in the language style of human rights activists. This is necessary in order to achieve dialogue, understanding and consensus on controversial issues among human rights activists, government functionaries and stakeholders in the Nigerian state. This is the only viable path to sustainable democracy and human development.
Studies in English Language Teaching, 2018
Political interviews are one of the ways by which political office-seekers in Nigeria sell themse... more Political interviews are one of the ways by which political office-seekers in Nigeria sell themselves to the electorates. Extant studies have examined the discourse of political interviews from conversational, philosophical, rhetorical, stylistic and pragmatic perspectives with insufficient attention paid to grammatical forms and communicative intentions of the interviews granted by the two presidential aspirants in 2015 Nigerian General election. This study therefore fills this scholarly gap with the aim of unmasking their grammatical forms and communicative styles, intention and credibility. The paper adopts Halliday’s Systemic Functional Grammar specifically interpersonal function coupled with Searle’s model of Speech Acts Theory as theoretical framework. A total of six interviews granted by the two presidential aspirants in media serve as the source of our data. It is discovered that, in most cases, politicians’ communicative intention is to “pull down” their political opponents...
jpanafrican.com
This paper investigates how interrogative clauses are used to perform various functions within th... more This paper investigates how interrogative clauses are used to perform various functions within the society and how they are used to exhibit power within different human structures. A critical survey of interrogative clauses presents them as instruments that project power among different groups within human processes. Critical Discourse Analysis complemented with Speech Acts constitutes the theoretical framework for the study. The data for this study were culled out from selected texts of Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo namely: The Last of the Strong Ones, Fractures and Fragments, Echoes in the Mind and Children of the Eagle. A total number of thirty-eight interrogative clauses were selected from these texts to show the different uses to which interrogative clauses are put as well as to observe how clauses are used to demonstrate the interplay of power. These were subjected to content analysis with a view to bringing out the inherent power relations within the interrogative clauses. The data revealed that interrogative clauses go beyond the scope of seeking for information. Different interrogative clauses as shown in the data were used to show the interplay of power and various illocutionary forces among different classes of people. These range from surprise, amazement, indignation, anger, emotion, wishes, threat, sarcasm, social ills, and many others. It also revealed that dominant personalities that wielded power intentionally exercised such over the seemingly powerless class among various people in the society. The significance of this is seen in the fact that language is used to perform various functions within the social system. The knowledge of this would help language users to see beyond the linguistic items and concentrate on areas where there are power relations and possibly abuse of power within the clause system in order to correct the abuse embedded within human processes so as to enhance equality and fairness for a better society.
Journal of African Studies, 2016
Existing studies claimed that begging activities in South-western Nigeria are encouraged largely ... more Existing studies claimed that begging activities in South-western Nigeria are encouraged largely by cultural influences and uneven distri ution of the n tion‟s resources. They further claim that the cultural activities re tr ce le to the or system which encourages mothers of twins to sing and dance for money. This paper investigates the claims by dr wing insights from the i le, Qur‟ n, f Literary Corpus, nd relev nt or proverbs. Findings show, among other things, that the claim about cultural influence, nonprovision of free education, and failure of the Nigerian government to break the cycle of poverty as the causes of alms-begging are mere excuses. The practice of polygamy with its attendant indiscriminate procreation among Nigerians is the major cause of alms-begging in the nation. It argues that any suggestion to improve the economy of Nigeria as well as economically empower individuals in the country will be a mirage or an exercise in futility if the problem caused by polygamy a...
This paper examines the low-usage of Yoruba language among some selected secondary school student... more This paper examines the low-usage of Yoruba language among some selected secondary school students in Yorubaland. The paper uses questionnaire with cloze test to measure the knowledge of Yoruba language among respondents in three Yoruba speaking states in southwestern Nigeria. The results of the data show that Yoruba language enjoys low patronage and patriotism amongst the students used for the data. Many of these students found it extremely difficult to express themselves freely in Yoruba language and at the same time, they were unable to provide meanings for selected Yoruba proverbs, words, and expressions. The significance of this work is seen in the fact that Yoruba language stands the risk of gradual extinction if urgent measures are not taken by all stakeholders concerned to arrest the dwindling fortunes of the language.
Journal of Emerging Trends in Educational Research and Policy Studies, Jun 1, 2013
Journal of Languages and Culture, Jul 31, 2013
This paper attempts to argue that Nigerian Pidgin is a fully developed language with its own rich... more This paper attempts to argue that Nigerian Pidgin is a fully developed language with its own rich lexicosemantics and syntax, which have evolved like any other language through contact and modification. It argues that the semantic and lexical veracity of Nigerian Pidgin cannot be vitiated in spite of its serious marginalization. This position is established based on the outcome of an empirical study carried out on the perception, use and attitudes towards Nigerian Pidgin in formal and informal settings. The data and analysis presented in this paper are based on samples of spontaneous speech collected in a formal setting, like school, and in informal settings such as market, church and private homes. The paper points out that Nigerian Pidgin is not an inferior language, nor a plague-ridden linguistic system, when compared to other well-described languages of the world. Rather, it is a second language that reflects productivity, simplicity, acceptability and understanding among Nigerians. Though highly marginalized, Nigerian Pidgin is actually a lingua franca because it is a variety that serves broad spectrum of Nigerian inhabitants, whose divergence transcends ethnic, religious and class boundaries. Given the crucial inter-ethnic and intra-ethnic communicative functions of Nigerian Pidgin in various social strata of the people's life, the paper concludes suggestively, that Nigerian Pidgin should be accorded official recognition.
European Scientific Journal, 2012
This paper explores the possibilities of achieving a viable language of human rights activism in ... more This paper explores the possibilities of achieving a viable language of human rights activism in contemporary Nigeria. It argues that the style of language of human right activists is predominantly violent, harsh and incapable of achieving the crucial goals and visions of human right activism in Nigeria: The methodology is analytical and empirical. In its analytical approach, it discusses the meaning and roles of language in societal cohesion. Its empirical character derives from the collation and analysis of data of some selected speeches of Nigerian activists on violation of citizens' human rights, conflict resolution and effective democratization process. Finally, while recognizing the pivotal role of human rights activism in contemporary Nigeria, the paper emphasizes the need to inject humane linguistic items that reflect a measure of respect, integrity and modesty in the language style of human rights activists. This is necessary in order to achieve dialogue, understanding and consensus on controversial issues among human rights activists, government functionaries and stakeholders in the Nigerian state. This is the only viable path to sustainable democracy and human development.
European Scientific Journal, 2012
This paper explores the possibilities of achieving a viable language of human rights activism in ... more This paper explores the possibilities of achieving a viable language of human rights activism in contemporary Nigeria. It argues that the style of language of human right activists is predominantly violent, harsh and incapable of achieving the crucial goals and visions of human right activism in Nigeria: The methodology is analytical and empirical. In its analytical approach, it discusses the meaning and roles of language in societal cohesion. Its empirical character derives from the collation and analysis of data of some selected speeches of Nigerian activists on violation of citizens' human rights, conflict resolution and effective democratization process. Finally, while recognizing the pivotal role of human rights activism in contemporary Nigeria, the paper emphasizes the need to inject humane linguistic items that reflect a measure of respect, integrity and modesty in the language style of human rights activists. This is necessary in order to achieve dialogue, understanding and consensus on controversial issues among human rights activists, government functionaries and stakeholders in the Nigerian state. This is the only viable path to sustainable democracy and human development.