A Critical Discourse Analysis of The Mottos of Selected Departmental Associations at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife

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Date
2016
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Abstract
This study identified linguistic features of the mottos of departmental associations in Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife; described the underlying ideological issues in the mottos, and related the ideological representations to the larger Nigerian university context. This was done with a view to critically analysing the mottos of selected departmental associations in the university. The study employed both primary and secondary data. The primary data comprised fifty mottos of students’ departmental associations at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. Fifty mottos were purposively selected for the study in view of their captivating phrases and clauses reflecting various ideological leanings. The data collected were from the associations’ notebooks, logos and signposts from different faculties in the university. The secondary data were analysed using Fairclough’s textual theory with insights from Halliday’s Systemic Functional Grammar. The results showed that phrases and clauses are prominent linguistic features in the departmental mottos. It also revealed that the underlying ideological issues in the mottos centred on national development, service to humanity, preservation of the environment, promotion of religion and culture. The results further showed that the ideological representations in the mottos could be linked to the larger Nigerian university context, and addressed the social inequality, injustice, discrimination, and power relation in the Nigerian society. The study concluded that the mottos of departmental associations played important roles not only in stimulating people’s awareness about the associations but also in enhancing political consciousness and social commitment in the Nigerian society. It also showed that through the knowledge of language, hidden meanings in the mottos can be used to reveal the message of the associations. NAME OF SUPERVISOR: Dr. K. A. Ayoola NUMBER OF PAGES: 106
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ix,106p
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Mottos, Obafemi Awolowo University, Mottos Analysis, Departmental Associations
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