Deapartment of English Language

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A Pragma – Syntactic Analysis of Traditional Nuptial Weep (Ekun Iyawo) Among People of Shao, Kwara State, Nigeria.
(2016-04) KOLAWOLE SALIU
Pragmatics is a branch of linguistics that deals with the study of language used in a bid to communicate ideas or feelings. In order to establish the fact that Understanding is the basis of communication, this study focuses on what Utterance means through the pragmatic and syntactic analysis of nuptial weep (Ekun Iyawo). The aim of the study is tailored towards appreciating African Aesthetics with particular reference to the beauty of African indigenous Language (Yoruba for example). In any Yoruba society, nuptial weep (Ekun Iyawo) remains a song rendered by the bride who is about to formally commence marital Life. Since nuptial weep (Ekun Iyawo) is context-sensitive, data were sampled naturally from a collection of Ekun Iyawo in Shao, a community blessed with Culture of her own origin. From the analysis, it has been clearly shown that Austin’s speech act types of illocution and perlocution are used while other relevant tools include metaphor and rhetorical questions. The syntactic features Include conjunctions, vocatives and communicative classification according to utterance. The study therefore finally concludes that Ekun Iyawo, pragmatically, involves declarative and interrogative renditions
Teaching English as a Second Language in Nigeria: Grammar, the Basic Fundamental to Good Spoken and Written Forms of English.
(International Journal of Arts and Humanities, Center for Global Research Development, 2017) Saliu, Kolawole; Ameen, Akeem
English remains one of the major features of colonialism in Nigeria. Its adoption as the national language is enshrouded and precipitated by the multilingual nature of the country where the need for a common language of communication arises. Despite its linguistic roles in the country, however, many deficiencies accompany its use. In order to overcome the hurdles bedeviling such deficiencies, grammar has been identified as the major aspect where the learners of English in Nigeria have very scanty knowledge of .This paper is therefore tailored towards arresting the problems of wrong use of English with specific emphasis on the teaching of grammar using Sheppard's eclectic method of teaching in a bid to achieving individual’s development with relevance o meeting intelligibility and conformity. The study finally reveals the effectiveness of using the eclectic method to teach grammar in order to equip and develop individuals to ensuring that leaners are more proficient and effective in the use of English.
A Systemic Functional Analysis of Niyi Osundare’s "Village Voices"
(Ekpoma Journal of Languages and Literary Studies, Department of English, Faculty of Arts, Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma, Nigeria, 2019) Saliu, Kolawole
English language remains one of the influences of Colonialism Nigeria. Besides, it is the language of instruction across all Schools (NPE. 1977, p. 3). However, since grammar is an aspect of the English language, this study examines two selected poems in Osundare’s Village Voices with the aim of finding out how system functional grammar can be of immense benefit to the readers. In bid to do this, the systemic functional modules of the experiential features of language were used for the analysis of the poems. Two poems which are A Villager’s Protest and Killing without a Sword were directly selected in the collection of Village Voices. This Premised on the fact that they both have a common theme which the entire collection symbolises; the two poems are equally used to test. The use of experiential features of language in the analysis of poetry. The study revealed the significance of grammatical tools (experiential features of language) and its application to the study of poems to prove that poetry remains the laboratory where grammatical exercises can be experimented. It was also observe from the study, how sentences are divided into constituents or elements in the functional grammar.
A Sociolinguistic Analysis of Nigerian Pidgin in Olu Obafemi's 'Naira Has No Gender'
(Department of History, Kaduna State University, Kaduna, Nigeria, 2020) Kolawole, Saliu
An Analysis of Selected Proverbs in Sade Adeniran's 'Imagine This': A pragma-Contextual Approach
(Kalangu Journal of Language and Literary Studies, Department of English and Modern Languages, Federal University of Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria, 2020) Suleiman, Murtadoh Imam; Kolawole, Saliu
Pragmatics deals with the study of meaning of an utterance within a context in a-bid to understand and interpret conversation among the interactants.It is the study of meaning as communicated by a speaker (or writer)and interpreted by a-listener (or reader) (Yule, 1996).In a bid to establish the fact that the essence of communication is understanding,this study aims at studying the pragmatics and context of proverbs in Sade Adeniran's Imagine This in order to identify the functional,artistic and cultural values of proverbs in Africa. Proverbs are important aspects of verbal discourse within the socio-cultural contexts in which knowledge,ideas and emotions are communicated (Offiong, 2010).To achieve these objectives, ten (10) philosophical proverbs were selected through purposive sampling technique.These proverbs were analyzed using Lawal's model of the aspect of pragmatics theory(eclectic approach)and Adegbija's submission on contexts which remain the candidates of meaning. The findings of the study revealed that contexts remain important tools of expressing meaning and intentions. Not only this, the study of proverbs involves eclectic approach which has been demonstrated through Lawal's pragmatic theory as well as Adegbija's analysis of contexts.
Phonics Charts Approach in the Teaching of Phonology in the New Academic Weather
(Kaduna Journal of Humanities, Department of History, Kaduna State University, Kaduna, Nigeria, 2021) Saliu, Kolawole; Suleiman, Muritala Imam
This study investigate the phonics charts approach and its effectiveness in teaching on senior secondary school students' achievement in oral English in Ilorin Metropolis,Kwara State. The target population for this study was all SSS II students in public schools in llorin Emirate,287 students were sampled in their intact classes. The Phonics English Achievement Test (PEAT) with a reliability coefficient of 0.69 was used to gather the data for the study. The data collected were analyse during descriptive and inferential statistic methods-mean and standard deviation and the Analysis of Covariance(ANCOVA). The initial findings obtained from this study revealed that the general achievement level of students (both the experimental and control groups) in Oral English was low in the pre-test.Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended among others that necessary attention should be accorded use of phonics charts approach in the secondary schools,especially for teaching Oral English. Teachers, textbook writers and curriculum planners should emphasize the use of phonics charts approach for teaching and learning-of Oral English in Secondary schools in Kwara State.
An Analysis of Metaphor and Conceptual Metonymy in Yoruba Traditional Bridal Chant
(DUTSE Journal of English, Literature and Linguistics, Department of English and Linguistics, Federal University Dutse, Nigeria, 2022) Kolawole, Saliu
Cognitive linguistics is an area of linguistic study where attention is focus on cognitive functions of language in relation to structure and meaning. This study analyzed traditional bridal chant within the cognitive linguistics framework in order to find out how metaphor and conceptual metonymy can be used as tools to communicate meanings and appreciate African indigenous language (Yoruba in this case)with particular reference to Richard's extended metaphor and Gibbs metonymy. In cognitive linguistics, the metaphor is regarded and recognized as a-conceptual means of structuring linguistic expressions to realize meaning.In any Yoruba society,traditional bridal chant is a song rendered by the bride who is about to commence marital life.Since traditional bridal chant (Ekun yàwó) is context-sensitive,data were-sampled naturally from a collection of Ekún iyawo in Shao, a community in Moro Local Government Area of Kwara State.The division of the chant into stanzas as well as its translation is in line with Ogunjimi and Na'Allah (1994).The most revealing and outstanding finding of the study was that metaphor and conceptual metonymy remain illuminating tools through which we understand the-message passed to the listeners by-the bride.In addition,the study has shown in a clear term, the relationship between metaphor and metonymy and as such,the meanings being communicated by-the bride is understood.
An Analysis of Conceptual Metaphor of Proverbs inFemi Osofisan's 'No More the Wasted Breed' and Olu Obafemi's 'Nights of a Mystical Beast'
(FDJP Journal of Justice, Development and Peace Studies — Catholic Diocese of Makurdi Foundation forJustice,Development and Peace (FJDP) in collaboration with Centre for Peace and Development Studies Benue State University, Makurdi, 2023) Kolawole, Saliu; Babatunde, Sola Timothy
This study examine how metaphorical analysis of proverbs through conceptual mapping unravels the meanings of proverbs and to also account for the significant effects of metaphorical analysis of proverbs-on thematic preoccupations of Femi Osofisan and OluObafemi. In order to achieve this objective,ten(10)proverbs were selected indicating that five (5)proverbs were selected from each play.The findings-of the study indicated that the analysis revealed certain features of proverbs such as attitude,general perception of people, responsibility, physical appearance of women and movement.In addition,the study revealed that out of the ten selected proverbs in-the two plays,proverbs revealing attitude and responsibility have the highest number which is three(3)each.This showed the significance of metaphorical expressions on thematic preoccupations of Femi Osofisan and Olu Obafemi.It is on this basis that it-was recommended that future researchers in linguistic study can also work on other areas using more figures-of speech to capture the importance of proverb as a-tool to communicate effectively,well
An Examination of the Influence of English Language on the Development and Usage of Yoruba Language in Kwara State, North-Central, Nigeria
(Kaduna Journal of Humanities, Department of History, Kaduna State University, Kaduna, Nigeria., 2025) Saliu, Kolawole; Suleiman, Murtadoh Imam; Ameen, Akeem; Zaccheaus, Oni Simeon
The brazen embracement of English by Nigerians, to the detriment of indigenous languages, necessitates urgent linguistic attention before such languages become extinct.The prioritization of English has culminated in a reduction in the equality and value of African indigenous languages,such as Yoruba.This study aims to examine the perceived influence of English on the development of African indigenous languages,using Yoruba as a case study.The sample comprised 100 respondents,randomly selected from across four local government areas in the Kwara Central Senatorial District.Data were analyzed using correlation and descriptive statistics. The findings revealed that Yoruba was being abandoned in favor of English.Furthermore,the prioritization of English has had a negative impact on the value and quality of the indigenous language (Yoruba). It is therefore recommended that the first language(L¹)should be used as the language of communication in schools and local communities,rather than the second language(English).
A Sociolinguistic Analysis of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's 2024 New Year Speech and its Implications on Nigerian Economy
(Institute of Education, Faculty of Education, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Nigeria, 2025) Kolawole, Saliu; E. O., Onabanjo; Zakari, Ishiak; Zacchaeus, Oni Someon
Sociolinguistics remains the study of relationship that exists between language and society. This implies that it is the basis for understanding how language is used and, more effectively, the realisation of sociolinguistic, aesthetic and semantic-related meanings. The aim of this study is therefore tailored towards appreciating the beauty of language using President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's 2024 New Year speech in order to garner and harness its significance on the development of the country vis-a-vis, its implications on Nigerian economy and the masses as well. Dwelling on Akinwumiju (2010, p.67), data were sampled directly from the presidential speech of January 1st, 2024 using Dell Hymes' ethnography of communication (1989) which captures SPEAKING as its acronyms. The findings of the study revealed the significance of using Hymes' ethnography of communication towards understanding and interpreting the president's speech. It was also revealed from the findings that apart from the fact that act sequence, participants, setting, scene, ends and key were preponderantly used, the channels of communication were also audio-visual and instrumentalities. Finally, the speech created a navigation through which the past was linked with the present to reveal the socio-economic imbalance, hardship experienced as a result of new economic policies in the country.
A Sociolinguistic Analysis of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's 2024 New Year Speech and its Implications on Nigerian Economy
(Educational Thought, Institute of Education, Faculty of Education, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Nigeria, 2025) Saliu, Kolawole; E. O., Onabanjo; Zakari, Ishiak; Zacchaeus, Oni Someon
Sociolinguistics remains the study of relationship that exists between language and society. This implies that it is the basis for understanding how language is used and, more effectively, the realisation of sociolinguistic, aesthetic and semantic-related meanings. The aim of this study is therefore tailored towards appreciating the beauty of language using President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's 2024 New Year speech in order to garner and harness its significance on the development of the country vis-a-vis, its implications on Nigerian economy and the masses as well. Dwelling on Akinwumiju (2010, p.67), data were sampled directly from the presidential speech of January 1st, 2024 using Dell Hymes' ethnography of communication (1989) which captures SPEAKING as its acronyms. The findings of the study revealed the significance of using Hymes' ethnography of communication towards understanding and interpreting the president's speech. It was also revealed from the findings that apart from the fact that act sequence, participants, setting, scene, ends and key were preponderantly used, the channels of communication were also audio-visual and instrumentalities. Finally, the speech created a navigation through which the past was linked with the present to reveal the socio-economic imbalance, hardship experienced as a result of new economic policies in the country.
A sociolinguistics study of selected songs of Asake
(International Journal of Foreign Languages and Literatures, Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Nigeria., 2025) Babagogata, A. H.
Language in music has been one of the most formidable way of formulating the socio-cultural foundation of every human community as both have intrinsic capacity to forge a common identity and assign it to any society where they are domiciled. This study addresses the need for a comprehensive sociolinguistic analysis of Asake's songs to uncover the intricate ways his music depicts cultural and social contexts, uses language to engage and resonate with his audience, and illustrates the characteristics of the speech community it represents. The aim is to provide insights in the role of Asake's music in reflecting and shaping the lived experiences and identities of his audience. The study explores how Asake's songs depict the cultural and social contexts of the communities he represents, the use of language to establish communicative competence within his songs, and how his songs illustrate the characteristics of the intended speech community. Through a qualitative approach, the study analyses two selected songs: "Lonely at the Top"and "Believe". The result reveals that Asake employed linguistic strategies such as code mixing and code-switching which have sociocultural implications. It shows also that ethnographic aspects of Asake's music serve as cultural artifacts that document and influence the lived experiences of his community. The study contributes to the understanding of how popular culture, through music, constructs and communicates identity within specific cultural contexts.
A pragma-sociolinguistic analysis of selected Yoruba names in Nigeria
(Ganga: Journal of Language and Literary Studies, Department of English and Literary Studies, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Nigeria., 2025) Babagogata, A. H.
This study critically discusses the pragma-sociolinguistic meanings embedded and associated with Yoruba names. It uses interview and observation to collect data. The study finding reveals that the various names given to Yoruba children and people ranges from reincarnation, death, circumstantial, market day names, to physical complexion, days of the week power and courage names, to traditional African religion names. The study findings show that the reasons for some Yoruba people to prefer Christian names over traditional Yoruba names are; religious conversion, cultural assimilation, social status and acceptance, personal preference and globalization and western influence. The study also establishes that the context of names in Yoruba ranges from individual identity, circumstance of child birth, aspiration of hope, to honor and legacy, while the societal connotation of such names include; family heritage, social status and identity, cultural values and societal roles. The findings finally states that Yoruba names, particularly in the Ifé dialect, are deeply intertwined with cultural orientation and worldview. They encapsulate religious beliefs, social status, personal and communal aspirations, heritage, and the importance of family and community. The study concludes that Yoruba names have pragma- societal implications which are enriched in the Yoruba worldview and belief system and as such, a name in Yoruba draws from the Yoruba culture and thought patterning.
A critical discourse analysis of Wike's ministerial acceptance speech
(Working Papers: Journal of English Studies, Department of English Studies, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Nigeria., 2025) Babagogata, A. H.
This study delves into a Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) of Nyesom Wike's appointment speech as a minister, with the goal of exploring how language plays a crucial role in shaping political discussions. CDA, a versatile method that adapts to new challenges and contexts, continues to be a valuable resource for scholars. By scrutinizing the language and the surrounding context, this study aims to deepen our understanding of political discussions in Nigerian. Wike's political journey and influence are marked by his dedication to community growth, strategic political tactics, and effective leadership across different levels. He skillfully uses various linguistic and rhetorical techniques to engage his audience; he builds trust, and advocate for his policy goals. By placing his speech within its historical, cultural, and political backdrop, he adds depth and impact to his message. This study provides the summary of essential theoretical ideas, research methods, and prior studies pertinent to the examination of political discourse through the lens of CDA. The examination of Wike's speech highlights the complex ways in which language is used to construct identities, convincelisteners, and manipulate power structures. The significant impact of Wike's speech on Nigerian politics is profound. It challenges deep-seated party loyalties, signalling a shift towards a more pragmatic and cooperative approach in politics. This research, recognizing its own limitations, aims to illuminate the role and importance of political discourse through CDA. This research gives rise to various recommendations, including the promotion of political collaboration, the emphasis on issue-based politics, and the improvement of public communication, the encouragement of transparency and accountability, and the fostering of inclusive governance.
A stylistic analysis of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's inaugural speech
(Department of English and Literary Studies, Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil-Kano, Nigeria., 2025) Babagogata, A. H.
The art of literary styling is a vital aspect of human communication, enabling authors to covey complex ideas, emotions, and themes through careful manipulation of language. This chapter focuses on the stylistic mastery of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in his presentation of his inauguration speech. This research aims to uncover the stylistic devices and techniques employed by the President to create a distinctive narrative voice and shape the audience's experience. By examining the stylistic choices and literary strategies used in the speech, this research seeks to contribute to a deeper understanding of the speech and the ways in which language is used to create a lasting literary work.
A pragmatic study of selected commercial billboard advertisements
(Department of Languages and Department of Economics, Nigerian Army University, Biu, Nigeria., 2025) Babagogata, A. H.
Several studies have examined advertising using canonical classifications of multimodality, implicature, and other linguistic resources. However, little attention has been given to the application of pragmatic tools in the analysis of billboard advertisements in Nigeria. This chapter therefore investigates selected commercial billboard advertisements with a view to exploring how texts, images, symbols, and pictures enable advertisers to communicate their intended messages effectively, as well as how these semiotic resources contribute to meaning-making for the audience. To achieve this objective, twenty-five commercial billboard advertisements were purposively selected from Ilorin metropolis. Austin's Speech Act Theory and its elements were adopted as the theoretical framework underpinning the study. The findings reveal that considerable meaning would be lost without the insights provided by pragmatic analysis. This is because audiences tend to focus more on the visual aspects of advertisements than on textual content. A pragmatic approach demonstrates that billboard advertisements deploy multiple modes of meaning which interact to produce more complete, coherent, and complementary interpretations. The study further reveals that pragmatic devices are strategically employed to attract readers' attention, communicate product features and benefits, and persuade consumers to patronize the advertised products. It also shows that graphic designers and photojournalists make deliberate use of visual elements to convey meaning based on shared conventions and ideologies. The study concludes that effective interpretation of billboard advertisements requires mutual shared knowledge between advertisers and readers.
A critical discourse analysis of Michelle Obama's send forth speech
(International Journal of Foreign Languages and Literatures, Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Nigeria., 2025) Babagogata, A. H.
Language is a pivotal instrument in political speeches. This study critically explores how Michelle Obama used interactional control, including wording. connectives, and argumentation (cohesion-lexical and grammatical-modality, word meaning, and metaphor) to communicate in her "Send Forth"speech. The study adopted Norman Fairclough (2001) Critical Discourse Analysis as its theoretical foundation. Findings showed that elements of critical discourse analysis, such as anecdote, deixis, name-calling, the reader, and honorific terms, were used to reveal the social relationship of the writer/speaker to their thoughts or subject matters and their readers/listeners. The findings also indicated that ideologies influence the structure of language, as every choice a writer/speaker makes is strategic. Finally, the elements of analysis stipulated by Fairclough and adapted in this study revealed that all texts are strikingly similar in their ideological representations. The writer/speaker used modality and metaphor to reveal her opinion about certain issues and the persons with whom she had worked.
A stylistic analysis of selected newspaper headlines on fuel subsidy removal in Nigeria
(Al-Qalam: A Journal of Languages and Literary Studies, Department of English and Literature, Federal University Gusau, Zamfara State, Nigeria., 2025) Babagogata, A. H.
This study conducts a stylistic analysis of selected The Punch and The Nigerian Tribune newspapers' headlines on fuel subsidy removal in Nigeria, with the aim of examining how linguistic choices reflect and shape public discourse on a highly controversial national policy. Drawing upon Stylistic Pluralism and Systemic Functional Linguistics as theoretical frameworks, the research analyzes five headlines from The Punch and Nigerian Tribune, focusing on graphological, morphological, lexical, syntactic, and semantic features. The findings reveal that newspapers employ a range of stylistic devices such as ellipsis, nominalization, evaluative language, and metaphor to construct ideational meanings, establish interpersonal relations, and organize textual information. These linguistic strategies are used not only to inform but also to persuade, sensationalize, or influence public perception, often aligning with ideological biases. The study concludes that media language plays a crucial role in framing socio-political issues, highlighting the importance of critical reading in interpreting headline narratives.
Creating New Bounds: Identity and Form of African Literature
(Journal of the Literary Scholars Association, 2025-06) Aliyu Saeedat Bolajoko
Imagining the future of African literature, popular culture, and the digital humanities provides a rich pool for literary scholars to push the frontiers of the literary enterprise of Africa. Literature of the African continent has grown and is still growing, metamorphosing in diverse forms, and inviting scrutiny that will help upcoming scholars and literature enthusiasts appreciate the growth and extent of this vibrant body of literary art. There is no gainsaying in the fact that African literature is no longer that body that is strictly tailored after, or conditioned by, the literary traditions of other climes. It has come a long way from what Ernest Emenyonu describes as the pre-colonial and colonial European intellectual theory of “If it is not written, it is not Literature!” (3), and which Obiajunwa Wali calls “a minor appendage in the main stream of European literature” (13). The focus of this paper is to examine the African literary enterprise which, I dare to say, is defying old labels, shaking off old restrictions, and carving out new identities. This ambitious exploration I hope to explain to you using the changing dynamics playing out in the different modes through which African literature is taking.
A critical discourse analysis of selected media representatives on (in)security discourse in Nigerian newspapers
(Al-Qalam: A Journal of Languages and Literary Studies, Department of English and Literature, Federal University Gusau, Zamfara State, Nigeria., 2026) Babagogata, A. H.
Language is an important instrument in the hands of newspapers reporters. Thus, this study critically explored how language is used in four selected Nigerian newspaper discourse on insecurity. The study adopted the Norman Fairclough's (2001) Member Resources, van Dijk's (2004) Socio Cognitive approach and principles of Halliday's system of transitivity as theoretical foundations. A total of ten (10) insecurity news were purposively selected from the four Nigerian dailies (Daily Trust, The Guardian. The Punch and The Nations The newspapers were selected from the editions published between July 2022 and August 2022, Findings of the study showed that Nigerian newspapers deploy lexical, syntactic and discursive devices in representing insecurity reports as a strategy of domination and supremacy with the use of exploiting lexical items and strong imperatives which allow them impose their views on others. This study concludes that news reports on insurgents crisis in Nigeria do not only inform the audience about the latest activities relating to insurgencies and government's steps towards stemming the menace but they also help to celebrate and praise security agencies in their fight against insurgencies.

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