Theme Analysis of Flora Nwapa’s Never Again: A Systemic Functional Approach

This paper deals with theme analysis of Flora Nwapa’s Never Again. The theory that underpins this study is systemic functional linguistics, which is one of the approaches proposed by scholars such as M.A.K Halliday, S. Eggins, J. R. Martin, R. Fowler, J. D. Benson to mention but a very few, for the study of language and its function(s). In this system, the study of language involves three functional labels: experiential, interpersonal and textual meanings. This study aims at describing and analysing linguistic features which connote textual meaning in Never Again so as to have a deep understanding of the novel and provide a new interpretation of it. It also aims at uncovering the deep messages conveyed through the novel. Both quantitative and qualitative methods have been used in this study. Thus, two extracts have been selected from Never Again and systemic functional linguistic theories have been applied to each of them for the purpose of exploring how language is used to organise itself. The study of the internal organisation and communicative nature of the selected Texts has enabled the researchers to come up with valuable findings. Indeed, through Mood adjuncts that conflate interpersonal themes, participants in Text 1 have expressed particular attitudes and judgments about the limited power of women and the roles of women and children during war whereas those in Text 2 have expressed a high degree of certainty and inclination. This study enables the researchers to provide a deeper understanding of Never Again by contending that the deep messages conveyed through the novel are the Nigerian civil war and the roles of women and children in our societies especially during war time. Keywords: Metafunctions, register variables, systemic functional linguistics, theme patterns

Field Variable and Experiential Meaning in Flora Nwapa’s One Is Enough

This paper deals with Field Variable and Experiential Meaning in Flora Nwapa’s One Is Enough. The theory that underpins this study is systemic functional linguistics, which is one of the approaches proposed by scholars such as linguists M.A.K Halliday, S. Eggins, J. R. Martin, R. Fowler, J. D. Benson to mention but a very few, for the study of language and its function(s). In this system, the study of language involves three functional labels: experiential, interpersonal and textual meanings. The study of these different functional labels helps to have a deeper understanding of a text. This study aims at describing and analysing linguistic features which connote experiential meaning in One Is Enough so as to uncover the deep messages conveyed through the novel and provide a new interpretation of it. Both quantitative and qualitative methods have been used in this study. Thus, two extracts have been selected from One Is Enough and systemic functional linguistic theories have been applied to each of them. The linguistic description and analysis of One Is Enough has revealed that women are the most active, talkative and most mentally involved in the different issues discussed in the selected Texts. The results also indicate to what extent children are important in African families. The discussion and interpretation of these results has enabled the researcher to contend that the deep messages conveyed through One Is Enough mainly concern the importance of children and consequences of childlessness in African societies

Pragmatic Analyses of President Goodluck Jonathan’s Concession Speech and General Muhammadu Buhari’s Acceptance Speech: A Comparative Appraisal

Drawing on Austin’s (1962) Speech Act Theory, this paper investigates President Goodluck Jonathan’s Concession Speech and General Muhammadu Buhari’s Acceptance Speech for the purpose of examining the impacts of context and evaluating their effects on Nigerians. The application of Speech Act Theory to these political discourses has revealed valuable findings. To mention but a few, this study has shown a high proportion of claiming assertive speech acts in Jonathan’s speech indicating thus how unity, stability and progress of Nigeria depends on Jonathan who has excellently proved this by conceding victory to his opponent Buhari. This has been confirmed by the very low proportion of these acts in Buhari’s speech. Furthermore, Jonathan’s acts of thanking, congratulating and praising indicate not only his high degree of recognition, attachment to peace and democracy but also his magnanimity whereas those of Buhari indicate his degree of recognition. Through the use of directive speech acts both Jonathan and Buhari have proved to be law abiding and peaceful. Through the use of commissive speech acts Jonathan has proved to be democratic and patriotic whereas Buhari has proved to be open, cooperative and democratic.  The thoughtful performance of the different speech acts has enabled both speakers especially Jonathan to maintain peace and stability in Nigeria.