A Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL) Analysis of Yoruba Students’ Narratives Of
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View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by UWC Theses and Dissertations A Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL) Analysis of Yoruba Students’ Narratives of Identity at Three Western Cape Universities Idowu Jacob Adetomokun BA (ENGLISH) OAU Ile-Ife, Nigeria A thesis submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for Masters Degree of Arts In the Department of Linguistics University of the Western Cape Supervisor: Prof. Felix Banda May 2012 ABSTRACT There has been a great deal of research exploring Halliday’s (1978, 1994, 2004) Systemic Functional Linguistic (SFL) approach. However, there has been little work that specifically targets SFL to explore African discourse. Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL) views language as “social semiotic”, that is, language is functional in terms of what it can do or what can be done with it; and semantic in that it is used to make meanings (Halliday’s, 1978). This study explores SFL to analyse narratives of identity as told by Yoruba students at three Western Cape Universities: University of the Western Cape (UWC), University of Cape Town (UCT) and University of Stellenbosch (SUN). This research is both quantitative and qualitative in outlook and results of the study are presented. I used the qualitative method to collect and analyse the data; but a certain amount of quantitative analysis was presented as well in order to determine the predominant identity options favoured by the students. A total of 14 Yoruba students were interviewed for data collection which was analysed with SFL interpersonal metafunction theoretical approach. Specifically, the study examines linguistic choices that the students utilize to maintain and reconstruct their identities in Cape Town. This concentrates on the aspects of Mood component combining Subject and Finite element, Residual component comprising Predicator, Complement and Adjunct as well as Modality in participants’ narratives. Besides, an important aspect of the study was the consideration given to ethical issues. Analyses are presented on tables showing the frequencies of the interpersonal elements as configuration for preference use of different Subjects, Finites, Predicators, Complement and Adjuncts to either strengthen or weaken positions. Equally, the metaphorically expressions of objectivity to highlight the continuities and contradictions in the students’ narratives of identity in the diaspora was considered. These serve as interpersonal elements used by ii participants for stylizing and personalizing different identities options. Also, the study presents how the students organize their message for cohesion/coherence in their narratives. Thus, SFL establishes how the linguistic choices of the students reflect identity options in their new environment. The study shows the st rengths of systemic-functional approach in its integration of what the students said, with what they might mean within the situation in which they said them. Finally, I conclude that these elements of interpersonal metafunction framework make participants’ narratives coherent while revealing the different identities they appropriated in the diaspora. Keywords: Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL), text, clause, Participant, Subject, Finite, Predicator, Complement, Adjunct, Modality, Mood, Residue, identity and narratives. iii DECLARATION I declare that A Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL) Analysis of Yoruba Students’ Narratives of Identity at Three Western Cape Universities is my own work, that it has not been submitted before for any degree or examination in any other university, and that all the sources I have used or quoted have been indicated and acknowledged as complete references. Idowu Jacob Adetomokun May 2012 Signed: …………………………….. iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Very importantly, I would like to remember my late father Mr. Eguntola Adetomokun whose devotion to my primary, secondary and tertiary education made it possible for me to reach this academic level today. I am grateful to my mummy, Florence Adetomokun for her valuable advice, warm encouragement throughout my study. Her extremely broad interests and deep insight have always guided me in my life. Also, my appreciation goes to my siblings Oluwaseun Adetomokun, Oluwasanmi Adetomokun, Bayode Adetomokun, Felicia Adejolu, Cecilia Falade and Abiodun Adeboye. I would like to thank my cousin Babatunde Adetomokun, my nephews Temitope Adejolu, Ola Adejolu and my in-law Akinyemi Adejolu for their immense contribution to my journey for this study. I am deeply grateful to my thesis supervisor, Professor Felix Banda who made critical comments that were difficult to respond but gave me an opportunity to look at the thesis from a different point of view. He inspired me on a wide range of issues from formal grammar to discourse and text analysis. I would like to thank a very special couple Pastor (Dr) and Mrs Fatoba for their immense contribution to my success especially in this study. Finally, I would like to thank Pastor Gordon Gcanga, Mr and Mrs Williams Awodele and David Oyedokun for his invaluable support and encouragement throughout my study. Almost importantly, my hearty thanks to all members of Apostolic Faith Church, Guguletu for everything we share as God’s children. v DEDICATION This project is dedicated to The Almighty God For sparing my life and seeing me through this great journey vi TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT………………………………………… ………………………………………………………ii DECLARATION ................................................................................................................... ... iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ....................................................................................................... v DEDICATION .......................................................................................................................... vi CHAPTER ONE ........................................................................................................................ 1 1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 1 1.1 Origin of the Yoruba people ........................................................................................ 1 1.2 Geographical location of the Yoruba people ............................................................... 4 1.3 Typicality of the Yoruba people .................................................................................. 6 1.4 Events that characterise modern Nigeria ..................................................................... 8 1.5 Statement of the problem .......................................................................................... 10 1.6 Research aim ............................................................................................................. 11 1.7 Specific objectives ..................................................................................................... 12 1.8 Research questions .................................................................................................... 12 1.9 Rationale and scope ................................................................................................... 13 1.10 Research Methodology .......................................................................................... 13 1.11 Ethical issues ......................................................................................................... 15 1.12 Chapter Outline...................................................................................................... 16 CHAPTER TWO ..................................................................................................................... 18 2 Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 18 2.1 Sociolinguistic Credence of Traditional Yoruba Society .......................................... 18 vii 2.1.1 The Yoruba contemporary disposition............................................................... 21 2.2 The construction of identity ...................................................................................... 23 2.2.1 Theoretical issues of identity construction ........................................................ 25 2.3 Narratives identity ..................................................................................................... 37 2.4 Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL) ..................................................................... 43 2.4.1 Interpersonal metafunction in texts .................................................................... 45 2.4.2 Systemic Functional Analysis of Narrative Texts ............................................. 49 2.5 Conclusion ................................................................................................................. 52 CHAPTER THREE ................................................................................................................. 54 3 Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 54 3.1 Overview ................................................................................................................... 54 3.2 Methodology ............................................................................................................. 55 3.2.1 Qualitative method ............................................................................................