Department of English-Journal Articles

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Journal Articles (Department of English)

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Open Access
Assessing the Quality of Translations into English as a Second Language
(1987) Adegbite, A. B.
This paper proposes a two-dimensional approach to describing translation texts from a mother tongue into a second language. The approach observes and describes the process(es) of message transfer from the source to the target language along one dimension and describes the reactions of interpretants to the source and target language messages along the other dimension. The binary-comparative approach is expected to explicate the intricate processes of transferring and interpreting messages in translation more than the unidimensional method of comparing source and target language forms, hitherto being used.
Open Access
Problems of Message Preservation in Simultaneous Translation from Yoruba into English
(1988) Adegbite, Wale
The study of translations into English whether based on the description of the implicit natural (psychological) predisposition of speakers or on the analysis of explicit parallel spoken or written texts, has much relevance for the Nigerian speaker of the language. The Nigerian speaker of English as a Second Language (ESL), consciously or unconsciously, is a natural translator into the language. Any time he uses English to express ideas which derive from his own native culture, he employs the means of translation. And the translation, whether efficient or not, at least affords him the opportunity to convey ideas from his primary culture in a language that does not belong to that culture. Even, then, a very efficient translation will further enable the speaker to participate more meaningfully in the society by fulfilling the most sophisticated communicative obligations which he needs to perform in English.
Open Access
The Relevance of the Discourse to ESL Studies: a Review of T. A. Van DIJK's Text and Context: Explorations in the Semantics and Pragmatics of Discourse
(1991) Adegbite, Wale
This paper reviews T. A. Van Dijk's Text and Context: Explorations in the semantics and pragmatics of discourse by summarising the main issues discussed in the work and observing the relevance of the discussion to studies on English as a Second Language (ESL). The review observes that although Van Dijk's work does not provide an adequate theory of English discourse since it only describes the underlying structures of the discourse, and also because it deliberately neglects certain features that are regular to discourse production and interpretation and which are especially of particular interest to discourse studies in an ESL situation, it no doubt provides a good starting point for an adequate theory of English discourse. It also provides a base for more comprehensive studies on the discourse which will have relevance to the pedagogy of English and communication in the language in a natural ESL environment.
Open Access
Some Factors Affecting Readers’ Reactions to English Texts in Nigeria
(1991) Adegbite, Wale
This author intends to observe the influence of certain socio-personal factors on the responses of some readers to two English texts and examine the implications of the findings for English textual studies in Nigerian universities. Two assumptions that thus underlie this study are that certain social and personality factors can influence the attitudes of readers when they interpret texts (Dechant and Smith, 1977), and that such attitudes should be taken into consideration in drawing efficient and effective programmes of teaching English.
Open Access
Grammar and Meaning in Two Yoruba Texts: A Systemic Linguistic Description
(1991) Adegbite, Wale
A piece of language use or "text" can be described from different points of view using different levels of language as tools of description. A description of text along a semiotic dimension is perhaps the widest viewpoint of studying language use in social situation, a study along this dimension will cater for all features of language pertaining to the pragmatic, linguo-pragmatic and linguistic levels of a text. At the level of pragmatics, relevant features of situation(s) and uses of the text are accounted for as they can relate to and stimulate the selection of formal items of language in the text. At the level of linguistics, the meaning and form of the text are focused as they can respectively represent and realise the features of situation and use mentioned above. Lastly, at the linguo-pragmatic level, the message content and communicative functions of the text are the point of attention as they represent the interaction of the pragmatic and linguistic features in socio-communicative transactional events.
Open Access
The Structure of Texts from Herbalist-Client Encounters in Yoruba Traditional Medicine
(1995) Adegbite, Wale
Using data from Yoruba therapeutic communication, this paper describes the structure of texts from herbalist-client encounters in the practice of Yoruba traditional medicine. The study reveals, among other things, that some Yoruba traditional medicine texts have solely dialogical structures which are constituted by diagnostic and prescriptive transactions, while some others combine the dialogical structures above with monological narratives, descriptions, arguments and requests made in divinatory, incantatory and supplicating transactions. It also reveals that the herbalist controls the interaction in the practice of Yoruba traditional medicine and takes very long turns which are used mainly to give information and directives to clients in the practice.
Open Access
Teaching English Prosodic Features to Nigerian Secondary School Pupils
(1995) Adegbite, W.
This study makes a case for the effective teaching of English prosodic features in Nigerian secondary schools and suggests ways by which the teaching can be carried out. It notes the importance of English prosody in promoting effective oral communication in the language and observes that this importance is not now usually well reflected in the teaching of English pronunciation to Nigerian learners. It thus believes that if the problems of teaching the prosodic features are identified and tackled, a better atmosphere will be created for the proper learning and use of English prosody in spoken English in Nigeria.
Open Access
Question and Answer Forum: The Place of Literature in the Use of English Programme
(1997) Adegbite, Wale; Onukaogu, Chukwuemeka
The question and answer forum for this issue of JESEL is a particularly interesting one in both context and content. Contextually, it is interesting that a question and answer could come from two members of the JESEL editorial board an in house affair you may say. As a departure from the usual system of answering questions from JESEL readers outside the board, we feel that this issue could reflect at least one of the various kinds of robust and serious academic discussions that take place among members of the board. The interesting context examines a vital area of English studies in Nigeria which deserves scholarly attention, the place of literature in the use of English programme in Nigeria tertiary institutions. Let us look at the exchange between Chukwuemeka and Wale below on the programme.
Open Access
Book Review Guy Cook. Discourse. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1989, vi + 165pp.
(1997) Adegbite, Wale
Discourse introduces the reader to the theories properties and presentation of the communication phenomenon known as discourse in language learning and teaching. The book is divided into three sections; theory and properties of the discourse, demonstration of discourse in language learning and teaching, and exploration of discourse development in the classroom. The first and second sections are equally developed in six chapters each while the third section has only one chapter.
Open Access
Devaluation Aesthetics in Soyinka's Requiem for a Futurologist
(1997) Adeoti, Gbemisola Remi
Quite a great deal, once is aware, has been written on Wole Soyinka's satiric corpus. Many more would still have to be written because like other great writings. Soyinka's works are such that rarely court exhaustive and decisive interpretations. It is observable from many available studies dealing with Soyinka's satire that not much attention has been given to the formal and constitutive elements of this literary mode. They are either ignored or accorded little significance.
Open Access
The Tortoisean Archetype: A Theory of Satire in Nigerian Drama
(1998) Adeoti, Gbemisola Remi
This paper attempt to stimulate literary discourse in the direction of a theoretical investigation of satiric drama by Nigerian playwrights and make certain suggestions, which will serve as starting step: towards a theory of satire in Nigerian drama. This will be done, taking due cognizance of the wide variety of Nigerians' indigenous cultural artistic experience.
Open Access
The Pragmatic Relevance of Ironical Utterances in Yoruba Interactive Discourse
(1999) Adegbite, Wale
In this paper we have maintained that ironical utterances are features of communicative interaction generally. They characterize conversations, interviews, drama dialogues, orations and stories. We thus observed the need to collect and study the occurrences of the utterances both within and outside literary studies. It was observed that ironical utterances performed referential, expressive, conative and phatic functions; did not perform poetic and metalinguistic functions. The utterances were also used to give remarks, scold, warn, tease, assure, tickle and greet. Thus, contrary to earlier impressions about what ironical utterances were used for, it was observed that these utterances were used to express both contemptuous and salutary intentions. It was observed that the utterances revealed a lot of cultural stereotypes among the Yoruba regarding the fear of the evil eye, sociability and social control and morality. They thus serve as a linguistic window through which attitudes and beliefs of the society can be viewed.
Open Access
Sequential Bilingualism and the Teaching of Language Skills to Early Primary School Pupils in Nigeria
(2000) Adegbite, Wale
This paper argues that the poor mastery of language skills in Nigeria's educational system can be attributed partly to the poor methods of teaching language skills in the system especially in early primary education. Given the fact that the bilingual concept is entrenched in the 1977 (revised 1981) Nigerian National Policy on Education, the approach of simultaneous bilingualism has been utilised in teaching mother tongue and English language skills - listening, speaking, reading and writing - in the primary schools for a long time now. The use of this approach is noticeable, especially, in classroom presentation and text book development. However, it is apparent that the approach has not been effective and, thus, has not enhanced the inculcation of permanent literacy which is a major objective of the educational policy. Using illustrations from some common Yoruba (mother tongue) and English course books for pupils in early primary education in Nigeria, the paper observes some of the limitations of simultaneously presenting language skills to children in early primary education, and suggests that the sequential presentation of skills be done to promote efficient bilingual education in the school system. The paper suggests that teachers and writers of course books of Yoruba and English should present language skills in a way in which some skills learnt earlier will facilitate the learning of later ones.
Open Access
Satire in Modern Nigerian Theatre: A Historical Exploration
(2000) Adeoti, G. R.
Satire is a literary mode usually taken as a brand of comedy. But like Proteus, the ever-changing Greek sea-god, it has flexibly assumed various artistic shapes and forms and has found expression outside' the territories of literature, in sculpture, painting, cartoon, cinema and music. Thus, it has earned a separate identity worthy of scholarly attention.
Open Access
Teaching Reading Comprehension in English through Vocabulary: A Demonstration of Some Strategies
(2000) Adegbite, Wale
The effective teaching of reading comprehension to children requires the development of certain skills (viz: perceptive, cognitive and linguistic skills). These skills can be focused on severally during teaching or, otherwise, they can be integrated. Current thinking in teaching reading comprehension, however, would seem to favour the latter, in view of the maximum input benefit which pupils can derive from it.
Open Access
Pragmatics: Some Basic Principles and Procedures
(2000) Adegbite, Wale
The importance of pragmatics to language studies is that it enables scholars and students to understand the principles and procedures guiding the interpretation of socio-cultural and contextual meanings of utterances. In this paper, we describe certain terms, principles and procedures of the pragmatics of language while exemplifying the discussion with some English utterances.
Open Access
Some features and problems of simultaneous interpretation of Christian sermons in Yoruba and English
(2000) Adegbite, Wale
This paper describes some features and problems of simultaneous interpretation of Christian sermons in Yoruba and English (SICSYE) in Nigeria. It utilizes extracts from texts recorded from several events of SICSYE for illustration. The paper observes that the interpretation often corresponds totally in form and meaning in the source and target texts. However, there are also several occurrences of both partial and non-correspondence between the texts occasioned by syntactic, lexical and semantic errors which are traceable to inadequate language mastery and slips by the interpreters. Lastly, some technical issues are raised over stylistic choices of translation/interpreting techniques in the spontaneous bilingual communicative performance. Apart from identifying features and highlighting problems of simultaneous interpretation, the paper suggests ways by which the practice can be improved upon.
Open Access
Literary Drama, Literacy and the Quest for Democracy in Nigeria: An Appraisal
(2002) Adeoti, Gbemisola Remi
This paper, therefore, appraises Nigeria's literary engagement in drama with the democratic imperative. Specifically, it discusses the genre's efforts at information (especially political) dissemination –a cardinal goal of literacy toward democratic changes. The discussion is done within the context of a perceived convergence of interest in the interface of literacy, drama and democracy.
Open Access
Identity, Multiculturalism and the Democratic Imperative in Ahmed Yerima's the Silent Gods: A Critical Discourse
(2002) Adeoti, G. R.
One major factor that has hindered the growth of democracy in many post-independent African countries is the invidious manipulation of identities, especially by the elites, in the competition for limited national resources. Identities may be ethno-geographical, sexual, religious or generational in nature. It becomes difficult to secure a consensus on issues of democratisation among the people and in combating autocratic tendencies of postcolonial leaders, whether military or civilian. It breeds electoral fraud, nepotism, thuggery and arson. The consequence is that democratic governance is imperiled in such a dispensation.
Open Access
Problems of Teaching Reading Skills in English to Nursery School Pupils in South-Western Nigeria
(Reading Association of Uganda, 2003) Adegbite, A. B.; Obilade, O. O.
This study is presented in five sections. Section one introduces the work and presents the research preliminaries such as the problem, aim objectives, justification and hypotheses. Section two highlights the research methodology which includes the use of questionnaire, interview, natural observation and classroom testing. Section three reviews the relevant literature on the topic of the study which includes the role of languages in the education of children, the status of languages in Nigeria and attitudes to them, and the cognitive effects of bilingualism. Section four presents the analyses and discussion of findings of the study, while section five presents the conclusion of the work.