LINGUISTIC APPRAISAL OF CP WAKILI’S UTTERANCES: (A Pragmatic Analysis)

Abstract

The study was conducted to identify the speech acts features of CP Muhammad Wakili’s utterances. Hence, the study focused on the pragmatic functions of locution, illocutionary and perlocutionary acts of the speeches. This was done with a view to determine the global pattern of pragmatic moves of the selected speech sentences. The data were drawn from the CP Wakili speeches and analyzed following the Speech Act theory of Austin (1962) and Searle (1969). The tabular presentations of the analysis were drawn showing the relative frequencies of the speech acts and percentages. Fifty (50) sentences were obtained from the speeches, from which forty(40) speech acts (direct and indirect illocutionary acts) were obtained. The findings showed that the Overall Relative Frequency Percentages (ORFPs) for the selected speeches of CP Muhammadu Wakili were: assertive-60%, directive-28%, expressive-16%, verdictive-34%, commisive-42%, and declarative-20%. These ORFPs results showed that CP Wakili relied more on sentences that performed assertive acts than other speech acts. He used the sentences that were vindictive and directive to assert his authority and exercise his power as CP of Kano. Sentences that were expressive had the least ORFP; hence, it was observed that the Cp Wakili exploited less of sentences which were meant for indicating the sincerity of his intentions. The Speech Act analysis of the security isssues of CP Wakili provided the understanding that security leaders in Nigeria perform various acts through their speeches. These speech acts assist in the understanding and interpretation of the messages in their speeches.