The Linguistic-Stylistic Analysis of Nigerian Security Agencies Use of Language: a Case Study of the Nigeria Police Force’s Registers
Chapter One
AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The aim of this study is to examine the Linguistic – Stylistic Analysis of Nigerian Security Agencies Use of Language. The objective of the study is to:
- Carry out a stylistic analysis (basically semantic and syntactic), towards identifying the components of the Nigerian Police register.
- Make a comparative analysis of the intelligibility of the police register to members of the force vis-a-vis the civilians and the basic/standard deviations of the police register from standard formal English language expressions.
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
2ND LANGUAGE AS MEANS OF COMMUNICATION
Linguists have defined language as a system of arbitrary vocal symbols by which human beings communicate. These symbols can also be codified in written forms with the instrumentality of word representations or expressed through gestures, without necessarily employing the verbal speech organs.
There are two parts of this definition. The first has to do with what language is .made of and the second, with the use to which language is put. But in this essay, we shall be restricted to the use:
A great percentage of our speech is dependent upon the situation and accompanying actions for its interpretation. Also, the speech is part of mingled actions and utterances
James Britton language and learning, England Pelican Books (1970) page 97
Language cannot exist in isolation; it has to operate in relation to the society. On the other hand, the society cannot exist peacefully without the use of language. In order to survive in the increasingly complex society, we have to communicate and the easiest means of communication is though the use of language, which is a common means of understanding.
There is however, one basic factor hampering the effective use of language for communication, This problem is that people from different parts of the world do not always understand themselves while they speak. It is however possible for them to have neigbours with whom they can communicate by means of a common language. A language community is a group of persons who understand each other.
Before two different groups of people can lay claim to one particular language, there must be some measure of intelligibility between them; that is to say, it is sine-qua-non for establishing a language community.
Intelligibility of any language is based on certain social factors. Hear James Britton again:
A language can be intelligible partly because of items in the immediate situation in which it was spoken; secondly, partly because items in the situation were indicated by gestures and partly, because the speaker and the addresses share certain previous experiences. Ibid, Britton.
When both the speaker and addressee can understand themselves, that is, they both can communicate with a particular language, they can said to be mutually intelligible. Mutual intelligibility is very important if language is to perform its function successfully. It is however possible for one group to understand a particular language spoken by another group, which does not understand the language of the first. This situation is that of one way intelligibility.
The emphasis on intelligibility arises from the fact that without it, the society would not be able to benefit adequately from the important role of language. According to Randol F. Quirk (1968)
A linguistic reaction – however violent is arguably more
civilized than some physical alternative.
Randolf Quik, The Use of English (2nd Edition) England: Longman Group ltd (l968) page. 51
It has been established that it is almost impossible to settle a dispute between two people who speak two completely different languages in a civilized manner, without resorting to violence:
If hard words are regarded by both participants as a
satisfactory substitute for hard blows, language is
performing a useful service – Ibid, Quik
It is pertinent to stress at this point that in-as-much as uniformity in the use of language is desirable, it is not possible. Even if it were possible, it would not be in the interest of the growth and variety development of the language.
In the words of William Irmscher:
Absolute uniformity of the use of language would scarcely be a virtue because non conformists in language have always acted as a stimulus to the growth of the language.
William Irmscher: The Holt Guide to English (3rd Edition): USA: Holt Rinehart and Wiston (1981) P.498. Among human beings, wherever there are people, there is a language. Even the most primitive jungle tribe speaks a language and the language remains alive and continues to grow in varieties. According to Randolt Quik (1968), “Language also conditions our thinking in a positive and constructive way” – Ibid Qurk, page 185.
So far, it has been seen that certain social factors have to some extent acted as influence on language. While some have worked for greater clarity and efficiency, others have tempered with the adequate functioning of language.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
This chapter deals with the methodology and techniques in gathering information for the research study. It also examines the detail of the research procedure, data collection sources and the method employed in analyzing the research.
SOURCES OF DATA
Data will be sourced through secondary means from various registers of the Nigeria Police Force.
METHOD OF DATA COLLECTION
Data will be gathered from reference texts such as standard books on Linguistics, Socio-linguistics, Syntax and Semantics. Materials for analyses will be sourced from the Nigerian Police manuals, operational correspondencies and the documented everyday expressions of Police officers in their offices and on the field.
The information gathered from the police manuals and interactions will be analysed and standardized, using appropriate reference texts. An establishment of the peculiarities of the police register coupled with a rigorous analysis will reveal the linguistic and stylistic effectiveness of same and help to appreciate the existence of peculiar registers.
METHOD OF DATA ANALYSIS
The method of analysis was to locate words, sentences or paragraphs where it appeared as if linguistic choices had been made to depict ideas and concepts in certain ways.
CHAPTER FOUR
SUMMARY, RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSION
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS
Most of the theories on the origins and specialized use of language such as sound mimicry pooh-pooh, Ding – Dong (Nativistic), Ye-he-ho, ta-ta babbling, naming and the musical theories have all shown that language arose out of man’s desire to adapt to his environment. For instance, the cooperation and contact theories show that language came into being out of the human instinct for conformity with a distinct group, for survival, contact and relevance.
One of the basic conditions that must fulfilled before an individual (a policeman) can claim membership of any society or organization is the ability to communicate effectively in the language of that community or organization. The norms and traditions of an organization are transmitted through language. This is in consonance with Hallowell’s (1953) claim that:
A necessary condition for ‘Socialization and relevance in
a man is the learning and use of the language of his social
group or organization.
-Irvin Hallowell, “Culture, Personality and Society: Chicago: University of Chicago Press, (1953).
Also, Schmidt – Rohr and Joshua Fishman (1972) gives the domains a particular language may dominate among other as: the family, the play ground and street, the school, the church, the press, for military and police, the courts, etc. language in any of the above domains is determined mainly by Socio -Psychological factors, where the individual actor may be seen as locked in a cage of imposed linguistic and social structures; his experience and thought are nearly perfectly conditioned by these structures.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The foregoing reveals that in the tenets of sociolinguistics, there are different forms of various deviations which manifest in the English language spoken across the various strata of the society. These various forms are regarded as registers. Registers are specialized forms of the use of English which grow out of a necessity of create a uniqueness among a group and in some cases, to build and entrench an exclusivity mutual to and beneficial to the linguistic group. Rather than condemn the various deviations which constitute the Nigeria police register, vie should study, appreciate and standardize it. Why? Because according to Fergusen C.A. (1966); Sociolinguistic studies have shown that a speaker of any language adjusts his language (whether bilingual or not), to the various social and organizational contexts, in which he employs it. The register of language spoken maybe defined by the status, occupation and social affiliation of the speaker in relation to his hearers.
Fergusen C.A. 91966); ‘On Social linguistically oriented surveys” Linguistic report vol. 8 No 4.
CONCLUSION
This essay has examined the sociolinguistic dynamics of the register of the security agencies with an emphasis on the Nigeria Police force. We have established that the dynamics of Socio linguistics has produced a peculiar variety (register), exclusive to the police force. We have examined the peculiarities of this register and have established that according to Joshua Fishman (1972 P.18):
Language in any domain is determined mainly by Socio-economic factors and job situations, where the individual or group actor(s) may be seen as locked in a cage of imposed linguistic and social structures. Ibid.
As a way of rounding off, we wish to state that this essay lays, no claims to being exhaustive especially as the vistas we have raised are not general register issues, but the dynamics of the register of the Nigeria Police force. We might come across as probably subjective, rather than objective, as far as linguistics analyses are concerned. Other researchers on this topic might probably be struck by other features’ and regard them as more significant. This is inevitable.
Also, it is particularly risky to make generalizations of the sort we have made but provided one is not to categorical about them, generalizations can bring to the forefront, striking trends that wilt indicate possible directions to be taken by other researchers.
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