International Journal of Arts, Languages, Linguistics and Literary Studies
International Journal of Arts, Languages, Linguistics and Literary Studies (JOLLS), is a referred journal published by the Editorial Board of the Department of French, Faculty of Humanities, Imo State University. The E-ISSN is : 2636-7149
DECONSTRUCTING PATRIARCHAL PARADIGMS AND (RE)DEFINING AFRICAN WOMANHOOD: THE POLITICS OF CULTURE IN ALOBWED’EPIE’S THE LADY WITH A BEARD
Drawing on Alobwed’Epie’s The Lady with a Beard, this paper examines how patriarchal paradigms are interrogated and deconstructed through the character of Emade, the novel’s heroine, who is endowed with attributes culturally coded as masculine. Through her resilience, intelligence, and authoritative engagement with cultural practices traditionally reserved for men, Emade challenges entrenched gender hierarchies and redefines African womanhood. Her assertiveness in matters of inheritance, succession, ritual authority, and sexual autonomy positions her as a transformative figure who negotiates, rather than rejects, culture to assert female agency. Anchored in African feminist thought, cultural politics, and structuralist theory, the paper argues that while patriarchal ideologies persist in reinforcing male dominance, women possess equal capacity to lead, innovate, and reshape societal norms. By examining widowhood as both a socially constructed site of marginalization and a potential locus of empowerment, the study demonstrates how Alobwed’Epie interrogates the intersections of culture, gender, and power. Ultimately, the paper reveals that African women, exemplified by Emade, can challenge oppressive traditions while preserving and re-signifying the cultural heritage of their communities.
Copyright (c) 2026 International Journal of Arts, Languages, Linguistics and Literary Studies https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0
INTERGENERATIONAL TRANSMISSION OF THE KIPSIGIS LANGUAGE IN KURESOI SOUTH SUB-COUNTY, KENYA
Intergenerational transmission is the most fundamental factor in the survival and preservation of minority and indigenous languages. However, in multilingual African contexts, positive attitudes towards heritage languages do not necessarily result in continuity of use or effective transmission. This study examines the relationship between language attitudes, language use, and intergenerational transmission intentions among young Kipsigis speakers in Kuresoi South Sub-County, Nakuru County, Kenya. It was anchored in the Ethnolinguistic Vitality Theory and adopted a mixed-methods research design. The target population comprised native Kipsigis speakers aged 18–34 years residing in Kuresoi South Sub-County. A sample of 140 respondents was selected through stratified sampling based on gender and level of education to ensure representativeness. Data were collected using questionnaires and Focus Group Discussions. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and cross-tabulations, while qualitative data were analysed thematically. The findings show that although most respondents demonstrate high emotional attachment and cultural pride in Kipsigis, clear disparities exist in actual language use. While 62% expressed willingness to transmit the language to their children or younger siblings, 28% were unsure and 10% were unwilling. A very strong positive relationship was found between frequency of language use and intention to transmit the language. Over 80% of respondents who use Kipsigis daily reported a strong desire to pass it to the next generation, whereas infrequent users were more likely to be unsure or unwilling. Qualitative evidence shows schooling practices, peer pressure, and digital spaces limit use, requiring home-based and digital transmission. This study concludes that positive attitudes cannot maintain intergenerational transmission unless consistent daily use is maintained.
THE ROLE OF EUPHEMISM IN KIIMENTI PROVERBS AMONG THE IMENTI COMMUNITY OF MERU COUNTY, KENYA
There is a growing need to examine how euphemism operates in African oral traditions. In Kiimenti, speakers frequently employ euphemistic expressions to address culturally sensitive topics such as death, morality, authority and social deviance. These expressions not only soften potentially offensive messages but also reflect social hierarchies and community values. This study seeks to analyse the role of euphemism in Kiimenti proverbs among the Imenti social groups of Meru County, Kenya. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 40 purposively selected participants aged 70 years and above. These participants were recognised as custodians of the community’s indigenous knowledge. The proverbs were identified and analysed for instances of euphemistic expression and were thematically classified according to their social, moral and communicative functions. The study was guided by the principles of Linguistic Ethnography Theory (Snell, 2025). This framework enabled an examination of how language, culture and social interaction intersect in the use of euphemism. The analysis reveals that euphemistic proverbs serve as a critical communicative strategy for promoting social cohesion, mediating conflict, and negotiating authority without direct confrontation. Metaphorical and symbolic language within the proverbs facilitates face-saving, moral instruction, and the reinforcement of social norms. The study concludes that euphemism in Kiimenti proverbs is not merely a stylistic device but a culturally grounded mechanism that sustains politeness and communal harmony. It is recommended that insights from these indigenous communication strategies be applied in community mediation, education, and other social interaction contexts.
UNE TRADUCTION COMMENTÉE (ANGLAIS-FRANÇAIS) DES CHAPITRES 1 A 5 DE YELLOW-YELLOW DE KAINE AGARY : UNE APPROCHE INTERPRETATIVE
La traduction est une activité primordiale et indispensable pour la survie de l’humanité. Elle demeure un outil vital pour la diffusion de l’information, des connaissances et des échanges culturels, politiques et économiques dans le monde. Alors que plusieurs domaines de l’activité humaine ont bénéficié d’un nombre considérable de traductions, la traduction littéraire, en particulier celle des œuvres africaines, demeure relativement marginale. L’une des raisons majeures de cette situation réside dans la complexité propre à la traduction littéraire, notamment en raison des spécificités culturelles et stylistiques qu’elle implique. C’est dans cette optique que la présente étude s’est lance dans la traduction des cinq premiers chapitres du roman Yellow Yellow de Kaine Agary. En plus, cette étude s’est donne l’objectif de promouvoir la littérature et la culture africaine ainsi que la promotion des auteurs africains par le moyen de la traduction. Pour bien mener ce travail, nous avons applique la théorie du sens de Danica et Seleskovitch et les procédés techniques de traduction proposes par Vinay et Darbelnet. Nous constatons dans cette étude que les méthodes basées sur l’approche interprétative employées dans cette étude sont efficaces pour surmonter les difficultés de la traduction des œuvres littéraires africaines en langues européennes telles que le français. Nous recommandons que les traducteurs prennent le soin de bien lire le texte à traduire et d’appliquer la théorie du sens et les procédés techniques de la traduction pour surmonter les obstacles culturels qui se présentent lors de la traduction des œuvres africaines en d’autres langues européennes tel que le français. Mots-clés : Traduction littéraire, Théorie de sens, procédé technique, fidélité, méthode Abstract Translation is a primordial and indispensable activity for the survival of humanity. It remains a vital tool for disseminating information, knowledge and cultural, political and economic exchanges worldwide. While other fields of human activity have enjoyed a good number of translations, literary translation, in particular that of African literary works, is scarce. The difficulty of literary translation is one of the reasons for this gap. It was with this in mind that the present study set out to translate the first five chapters of Kaine Agary's novel Yellow Yellow. In addition, this study aims to promote African literature and culture, as well as African authors, through translation. To achieve this, we applied Danica and Seleskovitch's theory of meaning and the translation techniques proposed by Vinay and Darbelnet. The findings of this study prove that methods centered on the interpretative approach as used in this study are effective in overcoming the difficulty faced in the translation of African literary works into European languages like French.We recommend that translators read the original text and apply the theory of meaning and the technical translation processes to overcome the cultural obstacles that arise when translating African works into other European languages, such as French.
PERCEIVED EFFECTIVENESS OF COGNITIVE-LINGUISTIC APPROACHES IN SCHOOL-BASED APHASIA REHABILITATION IN NIGERIA
This study assessed the impact of integrating cognitive linguistics principles into aphasia rehabilitation programs at Government Comprehensive Special School, Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Aphasia, a language disorder often resulting from brain injury or stroke, significantly impairs communication and comprehension. While cognitive-linguistic approaches have shown promise globally, evidence from Nigerian special education contexts remains limited. A quantitative research design was adopted, using total population sampling of all 18 teachers directly involved in aphasia rehabilitation at the school. Data were collected through structured questionnaires with closed-ended items on a 5-point Likert scale. Descriptive statistics, including frequency tables and charts, were employed to analyze responses. The findings revealed strong teacher agreement that cognitive linguistics integration significantly improved students’ communication (77.8% strongly agree) and comprehension skills (61.1% agree, 16.7% strongly agree). Teachers also reported consistent use of Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) and Melodic Intonation Therapy (MIT), while Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) tools received neutral responses, suggesting inconsistent application. The majority acknowledged the incorporation of Individualised Educational Plans (IEPs) tailored to learners’ needs. These results affirm the effectiveness of cognitive-linguistic principles in aphasia rehabilitation and underscore the need for improved AAC training. The study contributes context-specific evidence supporting innovative, tailored rehabilitation strategies for Nigerian special education settings.
AFROCENTRIC PATTERNS OF RESISTANCE TO SAME-SEX RELATIONS AND UNIONS IN CHINELO OKPRARANTA’S UNDER THE UDALA TREES, AKWAEKE EMEZI’S THE DEATH OF VIVEK OJI, AND TENDAI HUCHU’S THE HAIRDRESSER OF HARARE
This paper examines fictional representations in Chinelo Okparanta’s Under the Udala Trees, Akwaeke Emezi’s The Death of Vivek Oji, and Tendai Huchu’s The Hairdresser of Harare, which demonstrate how religious and cultural frameworks in Nigeria and Zimbabwe inform resistance to the acceptance of same-sex relationships, unions, and identities. These authors depict the prevailing condemnation of homosexuality and its classification as an ‘alternative’ sexuality within predominantly heterosexual societies. The discussion highlights the Afrocentric normative patterns that construe same-sex sexuality as a foreign intrusion into long-established heteronormative cultures. Consequently, homosexuality is widely regarded as an un-African, taboo practice that conflicts with socio-cultural, religious, and historical foundations built on procreative heterosexual unions. Opposition - whether expressed through non-violent or coercive measures – thus emerges from entrenched heteronormative standards and from perceptions of homosexuality as a Western import threatening established sexual norms. Overall, the paper argues that such resistance reflects broader Nigerian, Zimbabwean, and Sub-Saharan African conceptions of sexuality that deem same-sex relationships a deviant and unacceptable ‘alternative’ to inherited heterosexual traditions. To put the discussion in perspective, the central argument draws on African critical perspectives regarding the coexistence – or lack thereof – of heterosexuality and homosexuality in Nigeria and Zimbabwe.
FACTORS INFLUENCING INCREASED ENROLLMENT OF NON-WORKING YOUTHS IN IN OPEN DISTANCE LEARNING IN OYO STATE, NIGERIA
This study investigated the factors influencing the increased enrollment of non-working youths in Open Distance Learning (ODL) in Oyo State, Nigeria. Adopting a quantitative descriptive survey design, 240 non-working youths aged 18–35 were selected through stratified random sampling from six Local Government Areas. Data were collected using a validated questionnaire (r = 0.87) and analyzed using descriptive statistics with a criterion mean score of 2.50 for decision-making. Results revealed strong agreement on most socio-economic factors, with the inability to afford conventional university fees (mean = 3.42), the need to work while studying (mean = 3.29), and the desire to improve employability (mean = 3.21) being the most significant. For institutional factors, flexibility of learning hours (mean = 3.54), self-paced study (mean = 3.42), and program affordability (mean = 3.29) were the strongest motivators, though perceived employer recognition was weaker (mean = 2.58). Social media exposure was the only factor that did not receive positive agreement (mean = 2.46). The study concludes that the shift towards ODL is a pragmatic response to systemic barriers like cost and limited admission, facilitated by ODL's inherent flexibility. It is recommended that stakeholders enhance awareness campaigns, provide financial support, secure employer recognition for ODL credentials, and bolster digital infrastructure to further bridge the educational gap for non-working youths.
DÉFIS ET STRATÉGIES DE TRADUCTION DES ÉLÉMENTS CULTURELS DANS SWALLOW DE SEFI ATTA
This study examines the challenges involved in translating cultural elements in Swallow by Sefi Atta in its French version Avale. The original text is marked by strong linguistic hybridity, that combines English, Yoruba, and Nigerian Pidgin, which reveals a sociocultural environment deeply rooted in the urban life of Lagos. Translating these nuances present a major challenge, as it requires the translation of cultural elements that are often difficult to render in the target language. Drawing on Venuti’s theories of foreignization and domestication, complemented by Vermeer’s Skopos theory, this article analyses how the translator employs strategies of preservation, adaptation, and equivalence to maintain the cultural identity of the source text while ensuring accessibility and communicative effectiveness in the target text. The analysis focuses on three categories - Yoruba borrowings, proverbs, and Nigerian Pidgin which are identified as key cultural components. The findings show that the translator adopts an intermediate, intercultural mediation approach that preserves the authenticity of the original text while offering a fluent reading experience for French-speaking readers. The study highlights the need for translators to negotiate between cultural fidelity, target-reader accessibility, and editorial constraints.
DILEMMA OF RELIGIOUS LANGUAGE: A CRITIQUE OF LOGICAL POSITIVISTS’ VERIFICATION IDEOLOGY AND WITTGENSTEIN’S LANGUAGE GAMES THEORY
The dilemma of religious language is more prominent in two influential twentieth-century philosophical thoughts: logical positivists’ verificationism and Wittgenstein’s language-games theory. The contention is whether religious language can be meaningfully intelligible and cognitively credible in light of verificationist criteria of meaning and non-cognitivist interpretations of religious discourse. This paper analyses logical positivist claim that the verification principle renders metaphysical and theological statements cognitively meaningless and examines Wittgenstein’s philosophy of language-games and forms of life, as a response that relocates meaning within communal practice rather than empirical verification. It adopts philosophical analytic method by combining textual evaluation with comparative theoretical analysis. The study reveals that both Logical positivists’ and Wittgensteinian approaches are internally coherent yet philosophically insufficient when taken in isolation. The logical positivists’ principle of verification fails to account for non-empirical yet meaningful expressions of religious experience, while Wittgensteinian non-realist readings risk reducing religious language to expressive or regulative functions devoid of truth-claims. The paper contends that neither strict empiricism nor radical contextualism adequately captures the full semantic scope of religious discourse. Conversely, a mediating posture that integrates symbolic reference, communal usage, and rational evaluation is proposed, drawing insights from analogical and critical realist theories of religious language. The study concludes that religious language remains a legitimate subject of philosophical inquiry and requires interpretive models capable of sustaining both meaningful practice and claims to truth
REVISITING THE LANGUAGE–CULTURE–DEVELOPMENT NEXUS: A CASE STUDY OF ZIMBABWE
The relationship between language, culture, and development has long been a subject of scholarly debate, particularly the nexus of language, culture, and development. This paper examines the argument that language and culture are critical determinants of national development, with particular focus on Zimbabwe, where marginalised languages and cultures potentially impede social and economic progress. In Zimbabwe, the multicultural nature presents both opportunities and challenges in development agendas, a situation where language can either facilitate or obstruct development across various regions. This study explores the intricate interplay between language and culture, emphasising their collective impact on societal development in marginalised areas of Zimbabwe. Grounded in the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, which posits that linguistic differences shape cognitive processes and cultural perceptions, the research employs a qualitative methodology that includes interviews, document analysis and surveys. The findings reveal that language and specific cultural beliefs are pivotal in either promoting or hindering development within communities. Considering these insights, the paper advocates for a comprehensive assessment of the language-culture nexus to enhance understanding and addressing of developmental disparities in Zimbabwe. This approach is essential for informing policies aimed at fostering inclusive growth and recognising the value of linguistic diversity.
LES EMPRUNTS DANS LE PARLER CABƐ DU CENTRE BENIN : COMPOSITION ET ADAPTATION PHONOLOGIQUE
Résumé La présente étude se penche sur l’aspect synchronique du parler cabɛ du centre du Bénin. Ledit parler relève du groupe Edè selon l’Atlas Sociolinguistique du Bénin (2019) comme le Yoruba, le idaacà, le Ncà, etc. et rattaché à la grande famille des langues KWA (1991). Du point de vue méthodologique, le travail est basé sur la recherche documentaire, la collecte et l’analyse des données empiriques. Au total, l’enquête a touché (quarante-deux) 42 locuteurs et locutrices du parler de la langue et appartenant à toutes les régions de l’aire cabɛ. La recherche a révélé en termes de résultats que le cabɛ est une langue composite c’est-à-dire qu’il est composé de plusieurs autres langues telles que le Yoruba, le bààtonum, voire de langues étrangères comme l’anglais, le français, l’arabe, le portugais. Un autre résultat du travail a révélé que la langue a procédé à une adaptation phonologique des nouveaux sons avant que ceux-ci ne soient intégrés à la langue emprunteuse. Mots clés : Emprunt ; synchronie ; parler ; adaptation ; intégration. Abstract The present study examines the synchronic aspect of cabɛ speech in central Benin. According to the Sociolinguistic Atlas of Benin (2019), this variety belongs to the Edè group, alongside Yoruba, Idaacà, Ncà, and others, and is part of the larger Kwa language family (1991). From a methodological standpoint, the research is based on documentary research as well as the collection and analysis of empirical data. In total, the survey involved forty-two (42) speakers of the language from all regions of the cabɛ-speaking area. The findings reveal that cabɛ is a composite language, meaning that it incorporates elements from several other languages such as Yoruba, Bààtonum, and even foreign languages including English, French, Arabic, and Portuguese. Another key result shows that the language undergoes phonological adaptation of new sounds before they are fully integrated into the borrowing language.
CONCEPTUAL AND TERMINOLOGICAL CONFUSION IN TRANSLATION STUDIES: TOWARDS A TERMINOLOGICALLY CONSISTENT FRAMEWORK
Knowing metalanguage of translation can help translators, especially translator trainees talk about translation and recognise translation operations. It can also help them analyse and discuss processes involved in translation, as well as grasp the principles of translation. The knowledge of translation metalanguage can also help translator trainees improve self-reflection, which can enable them to critique own translations. Indeed, self-reflection is like a meta-competence, because it can boost translation competence by helping translators evaluate and improve their work. Despite the above-stated benefits of knowing metalanguage of translation, the metalanguage of translation can often pose problems in scholarly discourse in Translation Studies (TS) since, in most cases, terms associated with TS resist definitions, because either they are not used in standardised ways or the manner in which they are used is confusing. Adopting a conceptual clarification approach via qualitative review, this study dissects relevant scholarly sources by analysing and presenting reflections of different TS scholars on the metalanguage of TS. It first foreshadows the challenges of the metalanguage of translation, then presents the rationale for investigating terminological complexities. In particular, the study presents the conceptual reflections provided by different translation scholars on confusing terms such as method, procedure, strategy, tactic, technique, shift, solution, problem and difficulty. After a thorough analysis, findings indicate that numerous meanings are sometimes assigned to different terms without any significant change to their basic conceptual content, thereby perpetuating the use of unique concepts bearing different names or similar terms describing different concepts. The study thus provides insights into addressing terminological issues in translation research and pedagogy while also suggesting some recommendations that can help in maintaining terminological consistency in TS.
ASPECTS OF THE PHONOLOGY OF ÌYÀYÚ DIALECT IN ÌDÓ-ÀNÍ, ONDO STATE
This study examined the phonological structure of Ìyàyú in Ìdó-Àní, Ọ̀sẹ́ Local Government Area of Oǹdó State. Ìdó-Àní is made up of six quarters which are Ìyàyú Àmúsìgbò, Àkọ̀, Ìsẹ̀wà, Ìṣùrẹ́ and Ọwáàní. Iyayu belongs to Edoid family, a sub-group of North Western Edoid, while other five quarters are mutually intelligible, with close affinity with Yoruba Language. The population of the study comprised all adults of 60 years and above who are native speakers of the dialect in the town. Thirty (30) elderly natives, male and female, were randomly selected for the study. The study investigated Ìyàyú dialect spoken in Ìyàyú quarter. Specifically, the study examined the sound systems of Ìyàyú dialect and three phonological processes in the dialect which are labialization, nasalization and vowel harmony. Data were collected from 30 elderly native speakers of 60 years and above, using the adapted 1700 Summer Institute of Linguistics (SIL) word list as the instrument. Qualitative analysis was used to analyse the data collected. The analysis revealed that there are twenty-three (23) consonants, seven (7) oral vowels and five (5) nasal vowels in Ìyàyú dialect unlike other neighbourhood speech forms; that the dialect does not permit consonant cluster and does not allow consonant word final. Also, it was revealed that nouns in Iyayu dialect are vowel initials and verbs are consonant initials, V and CV are syllabic structures in the dialect. The study shows that labialization process in the dialect occurs through assimilation of the feature [+ round], and that nasality bearing vowel is deleted alongside with its nasal feature, among others.
Olúwátóyìn Bọ́sẹ̀dé ÀÌNÁ-ADÉBÁYÒ
ECOCRITICAL INSIGHTS IN NOL ALEMBONG’S AND JOHN NGONG KUM NGONG'S POEMS
This paper examines the ecocritical dimensions of selected poems by Nol Alembong and John Ngong Kum Ngong, focusing on Alembong’s Forest Echoes (2010) and Ngong’s Season of Shadows (2019). Specifically, it analyses Alembong’s “Green Call” and Ngong’s “The Penguin’s Brooding” as environmentally conscious texts that articulate humanity’s relationship with nature and the broader ecological crisis. The study demonstrates how both poems intertwine intellectual reflection and emotional appeal to heighten ecological awareness and emphasise the interconnectedness of living systems. While “Green Call” foregrounds the urgency of global environmental protection and sustainable practices, “The Penguin’s Brooding” highlights the fragile interdependence within ecosystems, particularly through symbolic representations of animal life and habitat vulnerability. Both poems evoke culturally embedded natural settings, prompting an exploration of the complex relationship between nature and culture and the ways cultural practices shape environmental outcomes. Drawing on ecocritical theories—especially ecocentrism and critiques of environmental injustice—the paper interrogates the poets’ visions of a non-hierarchical, interdependent ecological future. It argues that these works advocate ethical responsibility towards the environment while challenging anthropocentric assumptions that privilege human interests over those of other species. Ultimately, the study shows that the poems not only critique ecological degradation but also propose imaginative pathways towards sustainability, ecological harmony, and a more balanced coexistence between humans and the natural world.
MORPHOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF ÀGÀTÚ PERSONAL NAMES
Language is one of the instrumental components for the expression of culture. It facilitates communication between individuals and groups. Language plays a significant role in the developmental processes of any country. This paper is on the Morphological Analysis of Àgàtú Personal Names. Naming is universal and has become inseparable with human culture and language. Personal names in Àgàtú, just like in other languages of the world, are not just means of identifications but possess morphological properties worthy of scholarly attention. Data for this paper were elicited from the list of secondary school registers and the nominal roll register of the council ward under Àgàtú LGA. The descriptive method of data analysis was used. The analysis is divided into two basic groups. The first has to do with the internal structure of Àgàtú personal names (APNs)as simple, compound, and complex words, and the second group dwells on the morphological processes like derivation, clipping and other word formation strategies productive in the APNs. Àgàtú personal names could be mono-morphemic and bi-morphemic. This study reveals that Àgàtú attests to compound and complex formation in APNs’ noun + noun, noun + adjective in order to form compound and complex personal names. Some personal names are derived via prefixation processes. Morphological processes such as Derivation, Clipping, Nominalization and Borrowing. This study analysed and described the morphological properties imbedded in APNs. The study found out that, beyond serving as means of identification, personal names in Àgàtú possess morphological properties that can be systematically analysed.
RESILIENCE AND SURVIVAL STRATEGIES IN PETER ABRAHAMS’ MINE BOY
This paper explores the survival strategies adopted by black South Africans in Peter Abrahams’ Mine Boy. The paper highlights the lived experiences of native South Africans during the Apartheid era, highlighting how these strategies reflect broader themes of identity, race, and resilience. The analysis employs a qualitative methodological approach, drawing on Frantz Fanon’s theories on colonialism and Apartheid, to contextualize the novel’s depiction of survival strategies. A comparative analysis is further used to highlight the disparities between the living conditions of natives and Europeans during apartheid. Fanon’s insights into the psychological and social impacts of colonial rule provide a lens through which the characters’ struggles and survival mechanisms in Mine Boy are interpreted. The analysis reveals that black South Africans, stripped of their property and livelihoods, resorted to various coping strategies such as drunkenness, prostitution, and other vices to endure their harsh realities. The findings emphasize the novel’s portrayal of the resilience of the native population in the face of systemic adversity and highlight the importance of cultural preservation amidst pervasive oppression.
CURRICULUM, SCAFFOLDING, AND TRANSLATION COMPETENCE: A CONSTRUCTIVIST CASE STUDY OF 100-LEVEL TRANSLATION TEACHING AT DELTA STATE UNIVERSITY
The introduction of translation studies at the 100-level under the Core Curriculum Minimum Academic Standard (CCMAS) presents unique pedagogical challenges, particularly for anglophone students with limited French exposure. This study examines the alignment between the intended curriculum and the assessment practices at Delta State University (DELSU), using a qualitative case study approach. Data were drawn from the CCMAS 100-level translation course outline, learning outcomes, a past examination paper, and representative class-based translation assignments including terminology exercises, the identification and discussion of translation tools, and extended written assignments The study employs Kiraly’s constructivist approach to translator education, which emphasizes that translation competence develops through task-based, collaborative, and scaffolded learning rather than rote memorization of theory. Using this framework, the study evaluates whether assessment tasks provide sufficient scaffolding for beginner learners to acquire practical translation skills. Findings reveal a pedagogical gap: while the curriculum emphasizes simple word and sentence translation, DELSU tasks often require students to complete cognitively demanding exercises, such as producing 5-page assignments with translation terminology in French and English, which exceed learners’ scaffolded competence after only four months of French study. The study underscores the need for progressive, task-based instruction that gradually builds competence, aligns assignments with beginner learners’ abilities, and provides structured guidance and feedback. By situating DELSU as a case study, the paper offers insights into the design of beginner-level translation pedagogy under CCMAS, highlighting strategies to enhance competence development, learner engagement, and assessment alignment.
A CRITICAL STUDY OF TOR-TIV V’S ADDRESS TO PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU ON FARMERS-HERDERS CONFLICT IN BENUE STATE
Farmers-herders conflict has been a recurring security challenge ravaging lives in Benue State, hence the need to investigate the role of discourse in shaping public perception and opinion on the crisis. Critical discourse analysis is a multidisciplinary approach to the study of language that explores the intersection between language use and social activities. This study conducts a critical discourse analysis of the address delivered by the Tor Tiv to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on farmers-herders crisis in Benue State. Fairclough’s three-dimensional framework was adopted. The study employed qualitative method and descriptive research design. Purposive sampling technique was used to select Tor-Tiv’s address to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during his condolence visit to Benue state over Yelewata massacre in June, 2025. The data were analysed using descriptive qualitative content and discourse analysis. The results reveal ideologies such as misinformation, conquest and annexation, divisive politics, and nationalism. The findings further reveal power imbalance between traditional, state and federal governments, as well as Benue people and perpetrators. The study concludes that reliance on federal security intervention and divisive politics constitute the major threats to security in Benue State and recommends that devolution of power and political alliance would enhance security in the State.
DE « JAPA », A « JAPADA »: LE REVE DU DEPART ET LE DESENCHANTEMENT DU RETOUR DES MIGRANTS AFRICAINS DANS LA LITTERATURE DE LA MIGRITUDE - ANALYSE DE LE VENTRE DE L’ATLANTIQUE ET DE CELLES QUI ATTENDENT.
Cet article propose une lecture comparative des romans de Fatou Diome, Le Ventre de l’Atlantique (2003) et Celles qui attendent (2010), à travers deux concepts populaires nigérians : « Japa » (partir, fuir) et « Japada » (revenir, désillusion). Ces notions, issues du langage courant ouest-africain, sont mobilisées comme outils décoloniaux d’analyse littéraire, permettant de relire l’imaginaire migratoire africain à la lumière de la théorie des représentations sociales (Moscovici, 1961). L’étude met en évidence le parcours symbolique de la migration, allant de la vision utopique d’un Occident considérée comme un Eldorado à la désillusion du retour, souvent associée à l’échec et à la marginalisation. Dans Le Ventre de l’Atlantique, Diome met en scène la fascination pour le départ et la construction du rêve européen ; dans Celles qui attendent, elle dévoile la souffrance silencieuse de l’attente féminine et la désillusion du Japada. C'est aussi un processus social porteur d'espoirs collectifs. Cet article, qui s'appuie sur la théorie des représentations sociales, révèle le rôle essentiel de ces concepts populaires dans l'enrichissement de l'analyse littéraire. Il propose également un examen approfondi des thèmes de l'espoir et de la désillusion dans les récits d'immigration africaine, plaçant ces expériences vécues au cœur d'une réflexion sur le déracinement, l'exil et l'identité à l'ère de la mondialisation. Mots-clés : Migritude, Japa, Japada, Fatou Diome, Représentations Sociales Abstract This article offers a comparative reading of Fatou Diome's novels, Le Ventre de l'Atlantique (2003) and Celles qui attendent (2010), through two popular Nigerian concepts: “Japa” (to leave, to flee) and “Japada” (to return, disillusionment). These notions, drawn from everyday West African language, are used as decolonial tools for literary analysis, allowing us to reinterpret the African migratory imagination in light of social representation theory (Moscovici, 1961). The study highlights the symbolic journey of migration, from the utopian vision of the West as an Eldorado to the disillusionment of return, often associated with failure and marginalization. In Le Ventre de l'Atlantique, Diome depicts the fascination with departure and the construction of the European dream; while in Celles qui attendent, she reveals the silent suffering of female waiting and the disillusionment of Japada. It is also a social process that carries collective hopes. This article, based on social representation theory, reveals the essential role of these popular concepts in enriching literary analysis. It also offers an in-depth examination of the themes of hope and disillusionment in African immigration narratives, placing these lived experiences at the heart of a reflection on uprooting, exile, and identity in the era of globalization.
INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES FOR ENHANCING ENGLISH LANGUAGE READING SKILLS AMONG LEARNERS IN ADULT AND CONTINUING EDUCATION CENTERS IN KAKAMEGA COUNTY, KENYA
This paper aimed to examine the instructional strategies for enhancing English language reading skills among adult learners in ACECs in Kakamega County, Kenya. A descriptive survey research design was used to generate both qualitative and quantitative data. The sample size for the study comprised 20 ACE instructors and 80 adult learners in ACECs, making a total of 100 respondents drawn from 16 Adult and Continuing Education Centers (ACECs) across four sub-counties in Kakamega County. Data was collected using instructor questionnaires and an observation schedule. The data collected are presented graphically. Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and to establish the relationship among the study variables, the study employed inferential statistics, thematic analysis for qualitative data and descriptive statistics for quantitative data. The research findings revealed that conventional teaching strategies such as lecture method were prominently employed in teaching English language reading skills and were ineffective. The finding provided a foundation for enhancing instructional strategies to better meet the needs of adult learners in ACECs. It provided understandings that guided policymakers in developing effective curricula, teacher training programs, and resource allocation strategies to enhance mastery of English language reading skills among adult learners in ACECs in Kenya.
ETHNO-PRAGMATIC ANALYSIS OF CONTEXTUAL SIGNIFICATION IN TIV COMMUNICATIVE SYMBOLS
Interpretation of communicative symbols is largely influenced by the context in which a particular communicative symbol is employed to convey a message. In view of this link between communicative symbols and interpretation of their meanings, this suggests that the symbolic language has a link with the context in which it is used. The objectives of the study are to describe communicative symbols in Tiv and demonstrate how context influences the interpretation of communicative symbols in Tiv. Data for the study were collected through the consultation of thirty (30) native speakers of Tiv covering men and women who are considered to be mature enough to have a good knowledge of the workings of the communicative symbols in Tiv. The researcher used her intuitive knowledge of Tiv to validate the data of the study. The study concludes that there are communicative symbols in Tiv which include: íkyá-í-wúrē, swèm, gbēgbẚ-íwyá, Ígbè,,átè -ìwyá, ípyévéníkyōndō, ndẚrēgh-kù-wúrē, ángèr, íshẚ í tōrand ívō í ákôô. The study also discovered that each of the symbols plays a crucial role in communication among the Tiv people. In addition, the study found out that the interpretation of the communicative symbols in Tiv is contextually based because the symbols are assigned various communicative roles based on different contexts in which they are used. It was also discovered that the relationship between communicative symbols and their meanings in Tiv is conventional, so the meaning of a communicative symbol in Tiv cannot be universal. The study adds the contextual interpretation of communicative symbols in Tiv to the body of formal linguistic analysis on ethno-pragmatics of communicative symbols.
A PRAGMATICS STUDY OF PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU’S SPEECH ON HIS SECOND YEAR IN OFFICE
This study examines President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second year anniversary message to the people of Nigeria through the context of pragmatic act framework. The study aims to uncover the underlying pragmatic acts, implicatures, and contextualization strategies employed in the speech. A qualitative approach is adopted, utilizing critical discourse analysis to examine the linguistic features and pragmatic functions of the speech. This study is anchored in Speech Act Theory as developed by Austin (1962) and Searle (1969), the study employs a qualitative descriptive design to identify, classify, and interpret the illocutionary forces and perlocutionary effects of speech acts in the address. The analysis demonstrates that the speech acts are not merely rhetorical but performative, shaping audience perception and reinforcing political legitimacy. The findings reveal that Tinubu’s speech contains a strategic blend of assertives (to affirm national unity and resilience), directives (to urge collective action), commissives (to pledge reforms and governance commitments), expressives (to convey gratitude and solidarity), and declaratives (to assert Nigeria’s democratic permanence). Moreover, it reveals that the President’s speech is characterized by assertive, directive, commissive, and expressive acts, which serve to convey a sense of progress and determination. This study provides insights into the pragmatic strategies employed by political leaders to shape public opinion and promote national unity. This study concludes that pragmatic strategies in Nigerian political discourse, as exemplified in President Tinubu’s second year anniversary’s speech, are vital in promoting cohesion, inspiring confidence, and projecting democratic ideals.
L’USAGE DE DUOLINGO POUR LE PERFECTIONNEMENT LINGUISTIQUE EN FRANÇAIS : CAS DES ÉTUDIANTS NIGÉRIANS DE FRANÇAIS LANGUE ÉTRANGÈRE
Cet article examine l’univers des applications mobiles éducatives dans un contexte de l’apprentissage du FLE au Nigéria. À travers des données recueillies auprès d’étudiants du français langue étrangère au Département des Langues Étrangères de Obafemi Awolowo University, l’article interroge les usages que ces apprenants font de l’application Duolingo, les perceptions qu’ils en ont, ainsi que les apports et limites de cette application dans leur quête d’appropriation de la langue française dans un contexte où elle n’est pas la langue du quotidien. Les données sont obtenues à partir de questionnaires en ligne et analysées selon des méthodes quantitatives et qualitatives. Les résultats de l’étude montrent que, bien que l’usage de Duolingo soit irrégulier chez une majorité des répondants, l’application est généralement perçue comme un outil pédagogique utile qui favorise un apprentissage autonome et contribue au renforcement des compétences lexicale, grammaticale et phonétique. Cependant, les apprenants soulignent certaines limites, notamment le caractère parfois basique du contenu, le manque d’explications grammaticales approfondies et l’insuffisance d’interactions communicatives authentiques. Eu égard à ces résultats, cette recherche invite à une réflexion sur l’intégration raisonnée des applications mobiles éducatives en tant qu’outils complémentaires aux pratiques didactiques du FLE au Nigéria. En définitive, elle constitue une contribution aux efforts visant à repenser les pratiques pédagogiques en classe de langue à l’ère des mutations technologiques galopantes.
A STYLISTIC ANALYSIS OF WRITTEN FUNERAL TRIBUTES IN IGBOLAND OF NIGERIA
Funeral tributes in Igboland, though central to grief, identity, and communal values, remain underexplored in scholarship despite their presence in programme booklets and memorial publications. This study analyses thirty written tributes from five southeastern Nigerian States, Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo, using Relevance Theory and Mutual Contextual Beliefs (MCB). Findings highlight stylistic features such as metaphor, repetition, cultural symbolism, and narrative personalization, showing that tributes serve both as memorials and as vehicles of cultural continuity, collective memory, and ideological reinforcement. Choices like ancestral metaphors, communal references, and rhetorical intensification enhance emotional resonance and situate the deceased within shared cultural contexts. The study recommends further research into oral and digital tributes, especially on social media, to understand how contemporary Igbo mourning practices are evolving.
AN INVESTIGATION OF STUTTERING DISORDER AMONG LEARNERS IN A MULTILINGUAL SPECIAL SCHOOL IN LAFIA, NASARAWA STATE, NIGERIA
This study examines the prevalence, characteristics, and educational implications of stuttering disorder among learners at the Government Comprehensive Special School, Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Guided by the Demands and Capacities Model of stuttering, the study adopts a mixed-method descriptive survey design to explore how linguistic, cognitive, and environmental demands influence speech fluency in a multilingual school context. Data were collected through the Stuttering Severity Instrument Fourth Edition (SSI-4), structured classroom observations, spontaneous speech sampling, and semi-structured interviews. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative data were thematically analysed to contextualise fluency patterns and intervention practices. Findings indicate that most learners exhibit moderate stuttering severity, with disfluencies more pronounced in English than in indigenous languages. Limited access to speech-language therapy and reliance on informal classroom strategies further exacerbate fluency difficulties. The study provides context-specific evidence on stuttering in a Nigerian special-school setting and highlights the need for language-sensitive interventions, professional training, and integrated speech-therapy services in multilingual classrooms.
IMPERIALISM AND THE CROSS-CULTURAL TEXT: REAPPROPRIATION, REHISTORICISATION AND RENARRATIVISATION IN ABDULRAZAK GURNAH’S GRAVEL HEART
The novel has been subject to varied interpretative precepts as postulated by diverse critics and scholars. One such critic is Edward Said, who argues that the novel, as a European literary form, is inseparable from the ideological logic of imperialism. Africa, which has been on the receiving end of imperial aggression meted out by Europe, has witnessed its writers adopt the novel as a mode of expressing Africa’s historical and cultural reality. Consequently, Said identifies filiation and affiliation as two interpretative approaches for reading the novel. On the one hand, the filiative approach demands that a text should be treated as an extension of other texts that have preceded it based on English-cum-European literary canons, while, on the other, the affiliative approach proposes that literary texts should be read as products of the society that births them, and whose consequent interpretation should be devoid of literary, canonical and traditional leanings. Based on these, Said proposes Contrapuntality as a framework for reading the novel. This essay therefore applies this framework to the critical textual analysis of Abdulrazak Gurnah’s Gravel Heart. The essay reveals that the African novel is a cross-cultural or postcolonial text that reappropriates, rehistoricises, and renarrativises Africa’s historical and cultural experiences hitherto denigrated and disappeared by European and Arab coloniality, and it advocates for a wider patronage of the contrapuntal framework due to its penchant for relegating universality and accentuating cultural particularity.
SURVIVING TRAUMA: NIYI OSUNDARE’S EXPERIENCE IN CITY WITHOUT PEOPLE
This paper examines the representation of trauma in selected poems from City without People, a poetry collection by the Nigerian poet-scholar, Niyi Osundare. Drawing on trauma theory, the study explores how Osundare deploys poetry as a therapeutic medium for working through the trauma engendered by Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. The findings reveal that, contrary to the assumptions advanced by some trauma theorists who argue that traumatic experiences are inherently amnesic and unspeakable, Osundare’s lived experiences as presented in the collection demonstrate the possibility of remembering and articulating trauma. The study further establishes a connection between the postmemory of slavery and the collective trauma of the Katrina experience within the Black community, showing that such memories can be engaged in a multidirectional manner. The research further demonstrates that the poetry collection offers a quintessential illustration of expressive writing deployed as scriptotherapy.