LANGUAGE OF PERSUASION AN ANALYSIS OF THE INAUGURAL SPEECHES OF PRESIDENT JONATHAN AND BUHARI

CHAPETR ONE

1.0   INTRODUCTION 

1.1        Background of the study

1.2        Statement of problem

1.3        Objective of the study

1.4        Research Hypotheses

1.5        Significance of the study

1.6        Scope and limitation of the study

1.7       Definition of terms

1.8       Organization of the study

CHAPETR TWO

2.0   LITERATURE REVIEW

CHAPETR THREE

3.0        Research methodology

3.1    sources of data collection

3.3        Population of the study

3.4        Sampling and sampling distribution

3.5        Validation of research instrument

3.6        Method of data analysis

CHAPTER FOUR

DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

4.1 Introductions

4.2 Data analysis

CHAPTER FIVE

5.1 Introduction

5.2 Summary

5.3 Conclusion

5.4 Recommendation

Appendix

 

 

 Abstract

This research studied the language of persuasion of inaugural speeches in Nigeria to find out their use of rhetorical appeals. It investigated certain linguistic features in the speeches that were employed to appeal to the sense of emotion of the listeners, to ethics (speaker’s credibility) and logic alongside the use of unethical or illogical appeals to persuade the listeners. The three variables of ethos, pathos and logos of the aristotelean model of rhetoric were used to analyse 75 sentences (37 and 38 sentences respectively) which were selected from the inaugural speeches of two democratically elected presidents (Goodluck Jonathan of 2011 and Mohammed Buhari of 2015). In carrying out the research, the text of the speeches served as the data and sentences that reflected the appeals and fallacies were selected. The research found that the linguistic features of inaugurals are consciously formed to persuade the listeners. Political leaders employ these lexical choices to thank and acknowledge, express their will, aims and objectives, show their capacity to lead and rebuild, show they understand the problems and promise a better future.

 

 

 CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

• Background of the study

The study of language is captivating due to the role it plays in capturing all aspects of human thoughts and endeavours. Language plays so many roles in our society among which is the forming of social psychology with regard to how attitudes and perceptions are expressed (Yule, 254). Adedimeji also adds that, ‘language mainly serves to form (or deform), inform, reform and transform man and his society’ (6). Boltz and Seyler (n. pag.) argue that words are the tools for saying what you want to say and what you want to say are your thoughts, feelings, dislikes, hopes, fears, business, pleasure, everything that makes you up. Whether in politics, media, administration, teaching and even daily conversations, we use language to achieve the aforementioned goals. Nigeria as a country, is a product of the British colonial rulers who amalgamated the southern and the northern Protectorates in 1914, to what has become known today as Nigeria. The country is the most populous in Africa with an estimated population of 170 million people (Odumegwu, 2013). It is made up of more than 450 registered languages (Gut, 2004). Out of these 450 registered languages, Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo are considered the major ones. Apart from the major ethnic groups, there are other languages of national importance. Speakers of each language are normally concentrated in one area. For example, Hausas live in the North, Yorubas in the West, while the Igbos live in the East. But today due to socioeconomic reasons, many live in other parts of the country and speak the language of the host community. For instance, Igbo traders live in the North and speak the Hausa language, Hausas live in the West and speak the Yoruba language and Yorubas live in the East and speak the Igbo language. In situations where interactions between families and friends of the same ethnic group occur, native languages are maintained. However, interactions between speakers of different languages where one of the interlocutors cannot speak the language of the other, pidgin/broken English or Nigeria Standard English is used depending on the interlocutors’ level of education. A political speech is seen as a highly guarded form of speech when compared to a commercial speech. Its guarded form is due to its expressive nature and its importance. Speeches are made by politicians as a means of conveying information and opinion to the audience. Usually, these speeches are written in advance by professional speech writers. They are written to be spoken as if not written. In transmitting most of these political speeches via the social networks, it is often the case that highlights of the speeches, referred to as sound bites, are transmitted. These speeches which are usually communicated through language could be in the form of a campaign speech made before the elections, acceptance of nomination speech made after the party’s primaries, concession speech made by a candidate who lost an election or an inaugural speech delivered by the candidate who won an election during his swearing in to the elected office. Political speech could be defined as a speech associated with either struggle for power or maintenance/control of it. It is diverse because it encompasses the different forms of speeches that the politicians deliver at political forums. One of the popular political speeches is presidential inaugural speech. It is a speech that is often presented shortly after swearing in or taking oath of office by newly elected president. The aim is not to seek for the electorates’ votes but to appreciate and inform them of the direction of the new government (its plans). In such speech the president persuades not for vote but to make the electorate to build hope in the administration ushered in. Language in this context can be seen as an embodiment of ideologies than an instrument of persuasion; a tool for controlling powers rather than a tool for acquiring powers. Thus, this study aims to research on language of persuasion: an analysis of the inaugural speeches of President Jonathan and Buhari.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

In political speech, words choice and the manner through which leaders communicate with their followers need to be handled with care, particularly in heterogeneous society like Nigeria. In the Nigerian context, since the attainment of independence in 1960, successive leaders have delivered speeches on various occasions during the military and the civilian rules. Researches have revealed several academic works done on speeches delivered by world leaders as well as Nigerian leaders (McDogal III, 2013; Kamalu & Aganga, 2011; Tarhom & Miracle, 2013). Therefore, even among the Nigerian leaders, the circumstances surrounding the president Goodluck Jonathan and Buhari dual presidencies call for special attention. It is this uniqueness that gives premise and rationale for the present study to examine some of his selected speeches these presidents made.

1.3 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

The objectives of the study are;

1. To find out the similarities and differences between president Goodluck Jonathan and president Buhari inaugural speeches
2. To ascertain if there is language persuasion in the inaugural speeches of the two presidents
3. To ascertain the relationship between language persuasion and good governance

1.4 RESEARCH HYPOTHESES

For the successful completion of the study, the following research hypotheses were formulated by the researcher;

H₀: there are no similarities and differences between president Goodluck Jonathan and president Buhari inaugural speeches

H₁: there are similarities and differences between president Goodluck Jonathan and president Buhari inaugural speeches

H₀²: there is no relationship between language persuasion and good governance

H₂: there is relationship between language persuasion and good governance

 

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The study will give clear insight on language of persuasion an analysis of the inaugural speeches of President Jonathan and Buhari. The study will be beneficial to Nigerians for the similarities and differences of the inaugural speeches the two presidents made. The study will serve as a reference to others researcher

1.6 SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

The scope of the study covers language of persuasion: an analysis of the inaugural speeches of President Jonathan and Buhari. The researcher encounters some constrain which limited the scope of the study;

1. a) AVAILABILITY OF RESEARCH MATERIAL: The research material available to the researcher is insufficient, thereby limiting the study
2. b) TIME: The time frame allocated to the study does not enhance wider coverage as the researcher has to combine other academic activities and examinations with the study.
3. c) Organizational privacy: Limited Access to the selected auditing firm makes it difficult to get all the necessary and required information concerning the activities.

1.7 DEFINITION OF TERMS

LANGUAGE: Language is a system that consists of the development, acquisition, maintenance and use of complex systems of communication, particularly the human ability to do so; and a language is any specific example of such a system

PERSUASION: Persuasion is an umbrella term of influence. Persuasion can attempt to influence a person’s beliefs, attitudes, intentions, motivations, or behaviors.

INAUGURAL SPEECH: An inaugural is a ceremony inducting someone into a new position, especially the President. This word has to do with ceremonies and firsts: an inaugural or inaugural address is the first speech made by a President at a ceremony also called the inauguration

1.8 ORGANIZATION OF THE STUDY

This research work is organized in five chapters, for easy understanding, as follows

Chapter one is concern with the introduction, which consist of the (overview, of the study), historical background, statement of problem, objectives of the study, research hypotheses, significance of the study, scope and limitation of the study, definition of terms and historical background of the study. Chapter two highlights the theoretical framework on which the study is based, thus the review of related literature. Chapter three deals on the research design and methodology adopted in the study. Chapter four concentrate on the data collection and analysis and presentation of finding.  Chapter five gives summary, conclusion, and recommendations made of the study

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