A Critical Discourse Analysis of President Goodluck Jonathan’s CONFAB Speech

Abstract

Throughout political history politicians have exercised one form of power or another over other human beings through the use of language. The use of language in such political activities creates different impacts on the individual and society and therefore elicits different reactions. This writer examines the language of Politics as it was used during the inauguration of the National Conference by President Goodluck Jonathan. Politics is a struggle for executive power in order to control political, economic and social ideas and put them into practical use. Most political activities are prepared and effectively manipulated through the use of language for the purposes of allocation of resources. This discussion which belongs to the larger corpus of Critical Discourse Analysis examines the role of language in political discourse using the theoretical approaches of M.A.K Halliday and Bloor & Bloor. Having critically analysed the linguistic devices used in the speech, the writer has arrived at the conclusion that the speech is well composed and has achieved its desired purpose of message delivery.