Pragmatic Analysis of 2022 Billboard Messages of Some Pentecostal Churches in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Abstract

This paper examines the pragmatic features of 2022 billboard messages of some Pentecostal Churches in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. A total of ten (10) billboards which were purposively selected from churches within Uyo Urban, constitute the data for the study. Using Austin’s (1962) Speech Act as the theoretical framework, the data were subjected to different pragmatic interpretations such as: locutionary act, illocutionary act and perlocutionary force. The study showed among other things that Christian worshippers in the State were largely persuaded and motivated using some pragmatic components embedded in the messages, which served as a source of social mobilization for the people. The study has again buttressed the significance of language of billboards as a different variety of the English language with emphasis on its ability to persuade and mobilise the audience to achieve set goals.

Keywords: Communication, Speech Act, Pentecostal Church, Alternative solution, Anointing

DOI: 10.7176/RHSS/12-8-01

Publication date: April 30^th 2022