A Critical Discourse Analysis of Stance Expressions in Crisis Reportage

This chapter explores the dynamics of the relationship between social crises and the discourse of mass media reportage, particularly, newspaper reports. The tenet of objectivity traditionally upheld by the mass media probably lends credence to their perceived credibility among the masses they communicate to. Hence, the masses in any society most likely consider news reports as valid accounts of events. For this reason, the mass media have gained reputation as the mouthpiece of the society. Notwithstanding, news may be influenced by the respective ideological perspectives of individual journalists, or even the different media organisations which they represent (Cluluwa, 2011). It is arguably true that language is one of the major tools employed by the mass media in information dissemination to various audiences. Discursive choices made in communication are likely consequential on the perception of message by the audience. Especially, when the news being reported is about crises or unpleasant events, it may be likely that holistic objectivity may not be realised, and implicit stance,taking may be observed in the news discourse produced for mass consumption by the media. This study therefore examines the discursive forms and patterns that the mass media employ when reporting socio,political crises since prevailing social conditions considerably influence properties of discourse, that is, discourse is able to represent, produce and reproduce social reality (Fairclough, 1989; Richardson, 2007). Discourse is generally used to refer to any coherent form of language use. In the context of this study, discourse refers to news reports

Ideological Discourse Analysis of the Functions of Feedback Comments on Online Reports of Socio-political Crises in Nigeria

This study examines discursive strategies in online news feedback platforms and their possible impact on readers‟ opinions and ideological perspectives. It argues that discourse forms and patterns in these platforms tend to reveal subjective value judgments, and these have the potential of moulding public opinions and social attitudes. Data comprises 201 reader comments collected from online news media reports on two socio -political crises in Nigeria. Findings reveal that news readers, as social actors use discourse to shape the attitudes and value judgments of other readers. This is achieved through the use of ideological strategies such as polarisation, generalisation and hyperbole among others. This study further establishes that interactions on news feedback forums are largely based on shared knowledge of the social context, and that socio-political crises give rise to lexical choices and discourse patterns that are controlled by already acquired ideological judgments of language users

A LEXICO-STYLISTIC ANALYSIS OF KAINE AGARY’S YELLOW-YELLOW

Creativity, the expression of a writer’s imagination, is drawn from the totality of the writer’s experiences. Writers use language, the common middle-ground and the writer’s communication tool, to convey or express their experiences (as in the case of Yellow-Yellow) as well as their cultures and backgrounds which they may or may not share with their readers. A people’s culture certainly includes their language (Bodley 2008). This implies that language in use cannot be excluded from the society in which it is used. Moreover, context is a major determinant of any act of language behaviour while choice of words and meaning derivations are a factor of context or environment (Bright 2006). Firth’s (1957:173) view of language as “occurring in a culturally determined context of situation” is, therefore, apposite. Eggins (2004:8) states that “our ability to deduce context from text is one way in which language and context are interrelated”. In the light of this, this chapter illustrates the relationship between language use and style, the manner in which the writer’s experience is conveyed, at the lexical level to showcase the distinctly Nigerian or Niger-Deltan flavour of Yellow-Yellow

Socio-Semiotics of Humour in Ebola Awareness Discourse on Facebook

Humour has often functioned as a tool for the relief of depression, anxiety and stress. People have continually turned to humour, in serious life threatening situations in order to find relief. Facebook users eagerly expressed their thoughts and opinions on the Ebola epidemic that raged across some parts of West Africa in 2014 through humorous graphics, texts and memes posted online. An awareness of the peculiar patterns and use of such humour creating strategies is crucial to the understanding and interpretation of socio-semiotic realities of such online interactions. This study identifies and analyses specific semiotic patterns in Ebola-related graphic posts in Nigerian online social discourse, particularly on Facebook, and argues, that such posts are not merely a bunch of humour. Instead, they are informal awareness campaigns that are even more apt than explicit verbal or written messages. The study applies Kress and Leeuween’s approach to multimodal discourse analysis

Texting and Relationship: Examining Discourse Strategies in Negotiating and Sustaining Relationships Using Mobile Phone

Mobile telephony along with the Internet has enabled and enhanced new forms of human interaction by providing users with easy ways of reaching, and communicating with their loved ones regardless of distance or geographical locations. The medium has also not only become very essential to the society, but indispensable to individuals, families and social groups (Hoffman, et al, 2004). Texting has shown a great deal of promise to remain indispensable to people‟s communication needs across their life span. This paper examines how mobile phones support intimate personal and romantic relationships in digitally emergent places, particularly Nigeria, and argues that texting is an active and effective medium of interpersonal communication for enabling and sustaining social and romantic relationships. Applying the appraisal framework and discourse analysis, the study shows that texting is culturally motivated and provides some of the emotional support needed in personal relationships; texting is also used to express romantic feelings both within and outside of marriage. Especially among dating and married couples, texting is sometimes used in an attempt to resolving conflicts. Data for this study comprise 217 text messages obtained from texters at different levels of heterosexual relationships, namely formal personal friendship, courtship/dating and marriage relationships. Fifty couples were interviewed to identify the specific essential roles of texting in their relationships as they form and develop, and the tendency of such roles to continue across the couples‟ life span. Keywords: texting/text messages, discourse, communication, relationship, friends, couples, courtship, marriage

Behavioural Practices and Climate Change Awareness in Ado Odo/Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria: Implications for Communication and Development Agenda

The Earth's climate pattern has faced its greatest alteration in recent times. The burning of fossils fuels and clearing of land has resulted in the highest levels of greenhouse pollution in our atmosphere, global warming which has led to destruction of lives and property world over. This challenge call for drastic reduction in the amount of pollution we create. It is against this background that this study investigates the practices surrounding climate change and its awareness in Ota local government of Ogun State. Through survey, interview and observation, 970 residents of the local government were be interrogated, as well as key opinion leaders The findings show the current behaviour surrounding climate change in Ota includes burning of waste and bush, indiscriminate disposal of waste, and the use of kerosene, fire wood and coal for domestic purposes, among others. The study recommends urgent communication intervention and the use of television for climate change awareness effective campaign for behaviour modification