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ABSTRACT

This research work focuses on the language of persuasion by examining some selected speeches of Governor Aliyu Magatakurda Wamakko. It has been carefully observed that the Sokoto state Governor is fond of using persuasive expressions in most of his speeches. He uses the language mostly to captivate and convince his audience and this tends to endear him across the state to achieve his political goals

CHAPTER ONE

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

1.1  Background of the Study

Language is the system of human expression conducted by the means of the use of words. It is a purely human and non-instinctive method of communicating ideas, emotions, and desires by means of voluntary produced symbol (Sapir, 1921). Language is a resource used for any social purposes, it is to be found wherever human live in social relationships and helps in maintaining political control, as it can be used to communicate attitudes and feelings of government towards people as well.

However, there are many interpretations to the concept of language. Many scholars, and political analysts consider language of politics as a means to play or deceive the citizens so that, the citizens would believe them.

So, many features have been attributed to the nature of language of politics, which depict politicians in most negative lights, this is because the nature and characteristics of the processes, procedures and activities in governance require constant communication between the leaders and the led.

It is however believed that every set-up and discipline use certain patterns of language to process information and ensure proper understanding within their profession. For instance, in the legal profession and engineering etc, have specific choice of words and terms that are peculiar to them, so also are politicians and public officials in leadership positions.

But the use of certain terms in language construction by politicians is deliberate just to achieve some set of goals. Most of the times, politicians lie, deceive, exaggerate etc, to convince the populace of their good intention so as to generate continued support. Thus, citizens are made to believe at times, what is either not true or over blown beyond proportion.

O’ Bar (1976) states that people use language (verbal or written) in relation to the study of political process. Thus, politicians use language either to impress, persuade, captivate or woo the interest of their people, and the kind of language used by the politician to captivate attention of their people differs greatly from the language they use to persuade.