Language use in Diplomacy: a Sociolinguistic Appraisal of Nigeria – South Africa Diplomacy

Language use in Diplomacy: a Sociolinguistic Appraisal of Nigeria – South Africa Diplomacy.

ABSTRACT

This research work appraises the nature of language use in  diplomacy especially as it concerns the Nigeria foreign policy as evident in the Nigeria- South Africa diplomatic relations. It traverses into the intricacies of language and diplomacy, highlighting the chain relation that exists therein.

By adopting the survey method,the work looks into the sociolinguistic politeness theory as a tool for appraising language use in diplomacy.

From the finding of this work, it was discovered that proper language use in diplomacy is germane to the peaceful coexistence between nations.

The mucky relationship that existed between Nigeria and South Africa before it was fixed is a product of wrong language use.

Hence, it is therefore recommended that politeness  strategies more pertinently positive politeness and negative politenesstenets will be better achieved in this case, by applying strictly appropriate language use  in diplomacy so as to reinforce a cordial diplomatic relationship between the duo African nations in review.

The diplomats should always examine their language before dishing it out in the course of discharging their duties.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page – – – – – – – – – – i
Approval page – – – – – – – – – ii
Certificate – – – – – – – – – – iii
Dedication – – – – – – – – – – iv
Acknowledgement – – – – – – – – – v
Table of contents – – – – – – – – – vii
List of Abbreviations – – – – – – – – x
Abstract – – – – – – – – – – xi

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study – – – – – – – 1
1.1.2 Levels of Analysis in the Study of Language – – – 8
1.2 Statement of the Problem – – – – – – 9
1.3 Objectives of the Study – – – – – – – 10
1.4 Research Questions – – – – – – – 10
1.5 Significance of the Study – – – – – – – 11
1.6 Scope and Delimitation of the Study – – – – – 12
1.7 Limitations of the Study – – – – – – – 12

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Theoretical Studies – – – – – – – 14
2.1.1 Politeness Theory – – – – – – – – 14
2.1.2 The Brown and Levinson (1987) Model of Politeness Theory – 15
2.1.3 Face and Politeness Strategies – – – – – – 17
2.1.4 Politeness Strategies – – – – – – – 19
2.1.5 Criticisms of Politeness Theory – – – – – 20
2.2 Empirical Studies – – – – – – – – 27
2.3 Summary of Literature Review – – – – – – 35
2.4 Choice of Theoretical Framework – – – – – 35

CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.0 Preamble – – – – – – – – – 38
3.1 Research Design – – – – – – – – 38
3.2 Research Population – – – – – – – 39
3.3 Sampling and Sampling Procedure – – – – – 39
3.4 Selection of Respondents- – – – – – – 40
3.5 Research Instruments – – – – – – – 40
3.6 Validation of Instrument – – – – – – – 41
3.7 Method of Data Collection – – – – – – 41
3.8 Procedure for Data Analysis – – – – – – 41

CHAPTER FOUR: PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS OF DATA

4.1 Presentation of Data (Questionnaire Analysis) – – – 43
4.2 Analysis of Language use in Nigeria – South Africa Diplomacy 51
4.2.1 Features of Diplomatic Language Use – – – – – 53
4.3 Analysis of Nigeria – South Africa Diplomatic Relationship – 56
4.4 Analysis of Diplomatic Language use by Nigerian Diplomats – 60
4.5 Analysis of Diplomatic Language use by South African Diplomats – – 61
4.6 Politeness Strategies evident in the Diplomatic Language use by Nigerian Diplomats – 62
4.6.1 Positive and Negative Politeness Strategies evident in the Diplomatic Language use by Nigerian Diplomats  64
4.7 Politeness Strategies evident in the Diplomatic Language use by South African Diplomats -5
4.7.1 Positive and Negative Politeness Strategies evident in the Diplomatic Language use by South African Diplomats 65
4.8 Discussion of the Findings – – – – – – 66

CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

5.1 Summary – – – – – – – – – 68
5.2 Conclusion – – – – – – – – – 69
5.3 Recommendations – – – – – – – – 70
References – – – – – – – – – 72
Appendix – – – – – – – – – 79

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

Language is the vehicle by which human beings effect communication. According to Agbedo (2009), Language is the pivot on which all human activities ranging from the most prosaic to the most profound revolve. There is no society that has ever existed in isolation of language or without language.

Language is the life of any society; therefore, no society can exist without using or having a language. It is the conduit through which most communication activities are done in any given society.

The importance of language in linguistic study cannot be overemphasized, this is because of its centrality in all linguistics sub-fields; be it syntax, semantics, morphology, phonetics, phonology, applied linguistics or sociolinguistics.

In sociolinguistics however, the emphasis goes beyond the analysis of structures and theorization to the actual use of language in the society.

Several definitions of language  have  been proposed by several scholars from  the earliest times to the present day.

According to Agbedo (2000:1) “Language is a method of communicating ideas, emotions, feelings, and desires by means of a system of vocal and sound symbols”.

Bucher (1979), states that language is the development of the basic forms of communication between human beings and the society.

REFERENCES

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Oyovbaire (Ed.), Governance and politics in Nigeria: The IBB and OBJ years. Ibadan: Spectrum Books Ltd.

Agbedo, C. U. (2000). General linguistics: an introductory reader. Nsukka: ACE Resources Konsult.

Agbedo, C. U. (2003). Language and mind: new direction in psycholinguistics. Nsukka: ACE Resources Konsult.

Agbedo, C. U. (2007). Functionalist approach to language teaching: The role of  sociolinguistics. In B. N. Anasuidu, G. I. Nwaozuzu, & C. N. Okebalama. (Eds.), Language and literature in developing country. (pp. 341 – 351). Onitsha: Africana Publishers Ltd.

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