Manipulation in Political Language: A Semantic Analysis of The Speeches of Two Nigerian Presidents


Published in AKSUJEL - December, 2017

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Abstract

This paper focuses on Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar and President Mohammadu Buhari’s political speeches Excerpts were drawn from Abubakar’s inaugural and farewell speeches on July 20, 1998 and May 28, 1999 respectively. Also, Buhari’s inaugural speech on May 29, 2015 and his return from medical vacation address to the Nation on 21 August, 2017 are examined in this paper. The paper applies the Speech Act approach in carrying out the analysis of the speeches to showcase how politicians and other leaders employ manipulative skills using English Language as a means of communicating their political intent to their audiences listeners to achieve pre-determined objectives

Keywords: Manipulation Political Language Semantic Analysis Nigerian Presidents

Cataloging & Classification: Bi-annually , Vol.1&2(1) pp. 48-57

Authors

  • Inyang Udofot
    Department of English, University of Uyo
  • Eventus Edem
    Department of English, Akwa Ibom State University Oblokpa Campus