| 1 |
Author(s):
Ihueze Adaobi Olivia (Ph.D.), Obi Ifeoma D..
Page No : 1-7
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Injustice in the Shadows: Exploring the Impacts of Corruption on Marginalised Communities in Uche Nnyagu’s At the Centre of No Man’s Land.
Abstract
This article employs Marxist and Precolonial theory to analyse the themes of corruption and injustice in Uche Nnyagu’s novel, At the Centre of No-Man's-Land. The novel is set in a postcolonial context. This study investigates the economic base and superstructure dynamics and focuses on class struggles, the exploitation of labour, and the commodification of social relations within the narrative. Nnyagu's narrative captures an evaluation of capitalist exploitation and class oppression and also illustrates how wealth concentration and economic power disparities foster a cycle of corruption benefiting the ruling elite at the expense of the masses. The novel not only critiques the lingering effects of colonial exploitation but also challenges the inherent injustices of both past and present socio-economic structures, and offers a perspective on the perpetuation of corruption and the struggle for justice in the society.
| 2 |
Author(s):
Sada Mohammed Bature (Ph.D.), Nasir Umar Abdullahi (Ph.D.).
Page No : 8-21
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An Investigation into the Impact of Social Networks on Reading Culture among Undergraduate Students of Three Universities in North Western Nigeria.
Abstract
The mounting decline in reading culture is Nigeria’s contemporary reality. However, one region where the situation increasingly degenerates is the Northern part of the country. In this part, students increasingly grow disinterested in extensive reading to boost their vocabulary power. Dejectedly, the University students, who as English Second Languages Learners (ESL), as well as Non-Native Speakers (NNS), in that English is their Second Language (SL) and which equally is the target language (TL), it is incumbent on them to acquire a minimum of 750 vocabulary (Cox head 2000) so as to listen, speak, write and read fluently; as a steeping-stone towards acquiring 2000 and more vocabulary (Nation 2001) to communicate in the language with a sensible degree of competence. These could only be acquired through extensive reading, which most of these students fail to turn as their daily and pleasurable companion. Take the the departments of English or Literature in the region for instance, where the reading culture ought to be the norm, and the students to be the reading models of the residue of students in other faculties in the universities, regardless of the course they study, substantial proportion of them would rather heavily depend on the secondary literature to the novels recommended to be studied by their lecturers rather than reading the primary texts. Don’t you think that the social media has been playing a gargantuan role in the reading retrogressive culture, thereby deterring the students to acquire the number of vocabulary much required by the students in question, which will boost their vocabulary power and poor level of English as well? The focus of this project is to investigate the impact of the social networks on reading culture among undergraduate students in three universities in North Western Nigeria namely: Umaru Musa Yar’adau University Katsina State, Bayero Unviversity Kano and Usman Dan’fodio University Sokoto. It uses questionnaire method to present an SPSS analysis to prove this phenomenon or otherwise in the region.
| 3 |
Author(s):
Àránsí Ayọ̀ọlá Ọládùnńké.
Page No : 22-34
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The Perception of Hyperbole in Yorùbá Oral Literature: A Sociological Approach.
Abstract
Hyperbole is a figurative language and literary technique in which a speaker or an author uses exaggeration or emphasizes an idea to create strong emotional impressions in Yorùbá oral literature. Hyperbole is a language that consists of linguistics resources employed by literary artists and one of the most important stylistic features often employed by the Yorùbá oral poets, during performance. The Yorùbá poets most of the time take into consideration, the Yorùbá grammatical rules governing the speech, nouns and usage among the Yorùbá people. The main focus of this paper is to analyse hyperbole on how the Yorùbá poets unfold their emotions about the happenings or events in the society in such a way that they will arouse and sustain the interest of the audience. The paper also discusses how conversations and hyperbolic utterances convey messages to the audience with a view to having the easiest understanding of the communication motives. The paper shows that social-cultural relationship between the poet and the audience renders the hyperbolic utterances meaningful and it also contributes to knowledge about the effective use of hyperbole in the Yorùbá society.
| 4 |
Author(s):
Umar Ahmed.
Page No : 35-44
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Harnessing Digital Transformation with AI to Improve the Teaching and Learning of English as Second Language in Nigeria.
Abstract
The integration of technology and artificial intelligence (AI) has revolutionized various sectors, including education, particularly in English as a Second Language (ESL) learning. In Nigeria, where English is the official language for education and commerce, proficiency in English is crucial for academic and professional success. However, traditional ESL teaching methods often fail to meet the diverse linguistic and cultural needs of Nigerian learners, resulting in varying proficiency levels. This paper explores the potential of digital transformation and AI to enhance ESL teaching and learning in Nigeria. AI-driven tools offer personalized learning experiences, adaptive assessments, and interactive content, while digital transformation facilitates access to quality educational resources and inclusive learning environments. The study highlights key opportunities, such as personalized learning, increased engagement, and improved assessment, while also addressing challenges like technological barriers, teacher training, and cultural diversity. Recommendations include investing in digital infrastructure, developing teacher training programs, and ensuring ethical data practices. Future research should evaluate AI's long-term impact on ESL education in Nigeria and refine technologies to better meet diverse student needs. This study contributes to the discourse on innovative language teaching approaches in the digital age, offering insights that extend beyond Nigeria's borders.
| 5 |
Author(s):
Fatima Ibrahim Gafai, Hadiza Attah.
Page No : 45-56
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Thematic Construction in the Nigerian Political Cartoons: Newspaper Examples.
Abstract
This article explores the way insurgency and banditry are represented in Nigerian political cartoons. Using content analysis, the article examines how these security threats are constructed as themes in the cartoons. It analyzes the key visual metaphors and symbols used to convey these themes, as well as the political messages they convey. A purposive sampling was employed, whereby ten cartoons depictions were selected and analysed using semiotic analysis as the theoretical framework to explore the emergent themes of the depictions. The findings identified five emergent themes, such as, banditry, insecurity and poor policies among others. The findings suggest that political cartoons play a significant role in raising awareness and shaping public discourse on insurgency and banditry in Nigeria.
| 6 |
Author(s):
Janet Kemunto Omwancha, Kenneth Odhiambo (Ph.D.), Jane Ombati (Ph.D.).
Page No : 57-72
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An Analysis of Representative Speech Acts in Selected Subordinate Courts of Law in Kenya.
Abstract
The court serves as a tool for enforcing the law and delivering justice to the populace. In Kenya, subordinate courts play a crucial role in the administration of justice, handling a wide range of cases that affect the lives of citizens. Speech acts encompass a diverse range of communicative functions, including assertions, requests, promises, and declarations, each of which holds unique significance within the legal framework. Hence, this paper seeks to examine the representative Speech Acts in selected Kenyan courts of law. This research used a total of 12 cases collected during the examinations and cross examinations phases of courtroom trials. Data will be analysed to show the instances of occurrence of representative speech acts and their functions in subordinate Kenyan courts of law. The paper came up with three types of representative speech acts: assertives, descriptives and statements. Assertives were the most prevalent in the selected Kenyan courts of law discourse.
| 7 |
Author(s):
Ramadan Ahmed Almijrab.
Page No : 73-82
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Challenges Face Exegetists in Rendering Quranic Euphemistic Expressions into English.
Abstract
The Arab Nomads were infamous for their brutal acts against humanity in the Pre-Islamic Era, also known as the age of ignorance. The introduction of Islam and its teachings by the Prophet Muhammad, who received the Holy Qur'an in Arabic, played a significant role in the transformation of the nomads into a more civilized society during the period of Islamic dominance in the Arabian Peninsula. Arabic is considered one of the most magnificent languages due to the elegance of its words, the sophistication of its grammar, the precision of its structures, and the versatility in expressing various concepts. Despite the fact that the ancestors of the Arabs were ancient people, the Arabs themselves were driven by a strong sense of compassion that extended to all their tribes. The ideas presented were indeed remarkable. In Arabic, euphemisms are used to soften sensitive topics, a linguistic feature shared with other languages. Euphemisms allow individuals to refer to a situation indirectly through the use of figurative language. Arabic encompasses the overarching term بلاغـــة (metonymy), with تـلطيـف (softness) being the most relevant co-hyponym. This study critically analyzes the differences and similarities in the use of euphemistic expressions between Arabic and English, shedding light on the linguistic and cultural aspects of both languages.
