EBONYI JOURNAL OF LANGUAGE
EJLLS Publication
EJLLS
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| Title: | Analysis of Searle’s Illocutionary Act in 2019 Nigerian Presidential Debate |
| Author(s): | Abiola Mary Oladipo1 Oluwasegun Matthew Amoniyan2 Precious Etigwam3 |
| Abstract: | Previous research on illocutionary acts has focused on different language usages, but the current research uses the illocutionary act captured in Searle’s speech act theory to analyze the 2019 presidential speech debate. The researcher aimed at identifying the features of the illocutionary act used in the 2019 Nigeria’s presidential debate, its significance, and in what manner it was used. That is, the study focuses on speech act theory (illocutionary act, basically) using the 2019 presidential debate speech as case study for analyzing the different utterances that were utilized. The data was analyzed using the descriptive qualitative approach. The researcher made use of note-taking for data collection. The data used was from the 2018 presidential debate speech. In analyzing the utterance of the speech, the research made use of Searle’s theory of illocutionary classification. Based on the findings, all illocutionary features were found in the speech, with commisives being the most prominent. Other illocutionary acts like assertive, expressive directives and declaratives were also found. The study shows that illocutionary acts are used to get people’s attention, to assure them and to make commitments that are not only necessary in our day to day activities but also used to analyze public debate. |
| Keywords: | Illocutionary act, presidential debate, speech act, language use, utterance |
