JOURNAL OF CHINESE & AFRICAN STUDIES (JOCAS)
Journal of Chinese & African Studies (JOCAS) is an international and interdisciplinary journal dedicated to scholarship and research in Chinese and African studies. Its aim is to publish high quality original manuscripts in Chinese and African languages, literatures, religions, politics, economy, history, culture, anthropology, societies, science, technology and many more. JOCAS is a peer reviewed open access journal. The scope of the journal includes but not limited to the studies in Chinese and Africa. Journal of Chinese and African Studies (JOCAS) is a peer reviewed and an open access journal which is indexed on Google Scholar. Abstract and full texts of all articles published in this journal are freely accessible to everyone after publication without any form of restriction. All articles published under open access can be accessed by anyone with internet connection.
SLANG USE AMONGST SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN ORUMBA
This study focuses on sociolinguistic study of the academic related slang expression as used by secondary school students in Orumba with the aim of finding its contextual meaning and as well its derivations. Data was collected through recording of conversations. The results were categorized according to various thematic groups. A descriptive method of data analysis was adopted. It was observed from our analysis, that the use of academic related slang expressions is purely used in informal context, and that slang expressions are mostly used for in group identification as well as to hide meaning. Secondly, it was observed that there are code-mixing, inflections, etc in the slangs. The language variety could be as a result of the fact that students come from various language backgrounds. This research concludes that academic related slangs used in secondary school students in Orumba are not language of the underworld, but expressions used among students to hide literal meaning from outsiders.
slangs, secondary school, Orumba, literal, contextual
Sunday Ifeanyi Okoli; Adaeze Chinecherem Okoli
LANGUAGE, POWER AND POLITICAL PERSUASION: A CRITICAL DISCOURSE ANALYSIS OF THE 2023 DELTA STATE GUBERNATORIAL CAMPAIGN SPEECHES
Political campaign speeches remain among the most powerful instruments through which politicians negotiate authority, shape ideological consciousness, and persuade electorates in democratic societies. This study critically examines the discourse strategies employed by gubernatorial candidates during the 2023 Delta State gubernatorial election in Nigeria. Anchored on Critical Discourse Theory as advanced by Norman Fairclough and Teun A. van Dijk, the study investigates how language was strategically deployed to construct political identities, legitimize authority, frame opponents, and reflect broader socio-political realities within Delta State.The study adopts a qualitative research design and purposely selects campaign speeches from candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressives Congress (APC), and Labour Party (LP). Data were sourced from televised broadcasts, YouTube campaign videos, and official political media platforms and analyzed using Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA). Findings reveal that the candidates employed rhetorical devices such as repetition, slogans, rhetorical questions, emotional appeals, and strategic lexical choices to shape voter perception and reinforce ideological positioning. The analysis further reveals that campaign discourse reflected competing narratives surrounding governance, accountability, continuity, economic revitalization, inclusive, and political legitimacy. The study concludes that political language functions not merely as communication but as a mechanism for constructing authority, negotiating power, and shaping ideological consciousness within democratic politics.
Critical Discourse Analysis, political discourse, campaign speeches, rhetoric, ideology, political communication, Delta State election
Okoye, Chinenye Loyce; Tishene, Eseoghene Onyebuchi
CRITICAL DISCOURSE ANALYSIS OF SELECTED SPEECHES OF PETER NDUBUISI MBAH
This study investigates the role of language in constructing political legitimacy, ideology and governance in the discourse of His Excellency, Gov. Barr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah. By using the Critical Discourse Analysis as its framework, the study is anchored in the theoretical perspectives of Norman Fairclough and Teun A. van Dijk. The study adopts a qualitative design to analyse selected speeches and public statements delivered between 2023 and 2025. The analysis focuses on key discursive features such as pronoun usage, modality, lexical choices and rhetorical strategies. Findings reveal that the discourse is strategically structured to construct a collective political identity through inclusive language, legitimise authority through performance-based narratives and reframe political actions as public-oriented initiatives. The study further demonstrates how ideological meanings are embedded in development-oriented expressions and how power is enacted through persuasive and authoritative linguistic forms. By foregrounding governance as a central theme, the discourse positions leadership as responsive and result-driven. The study contributes to existing literature by extending Critical Discourse Analysis to sub national political communication in Nigeria and highlights the significance of language as a tool for shaping political realities and public perception.
Critical Discourse Analysis; Political Discourse; Ideology; Power; Governance
Aruah, Virginus Onyebuchi (Ph.D); Ugwuoke, Priscilla Ebere (Ph.D); Onyegiri Chikodi Dympna (Ph.D)
尼日利亚中文教育本土市场化办学探索与实践:以“鸿儒学院”为例 EXPLORATION AND PRACTICE OF LOCALIZED MARKETIZATION CHINESE LANGUAGE EDUCATION IN NIGERIA: A CASE STUDY OF HONGRU ACADEMY
本土市场化办学是国际中文教育事业的发展方向，但学界对于中文本土市场化办学模式和案例尚缺乏深入探讨。为此，本报告选取非洲大国尼日利亚为对象国，并以该国旅尼华人创办的中文教育机构“鸿儒学院”为个案，对其本土市场化办学实践进行剖析，考察其办学状况及在招生、运营等方面的具体实践，分析其在本土办学过程中面临的挑战并提出对策建议，为国际中文教育的本土市场化办学提供参考和借鉴。Localized, market-oriented school operation represents an important development direction for international Chinese language education. However, existing scholarship has paid insufficient attention to localized marketbased models and concrete cases of Chinese language education. To address this gap, this report takes Nigeria, a major African country, as the target context and selects Hongru Academy, a Chinese language education institution founded by Chinese expatriates in Nigeria, as a case study. By analyzing its localized market-oriented practices, the report examines the Academy’s operational conditions and its specific approaches to student recruitment and institutional management, identifies the challenges it faces in the process of localized operation, and proposes corresponding countermeasures and policy recommendations. The study aims to provide reference and insights for the localized, market-oriented development of international Chinese language education.
尼日利亚；本土市场化；中文教育；鸿儒学院
Nigeria; localized marketization; Chinese language education; Hongru Academy
AN ANALYSIS OF THE SEMANTIC FUNCTION OF THE PARTICLE ‘TÈ’ IN THE NSUKKA DIALECT
The research aims to examine and describe the particle ‘tè’ in the Nsukka dialect. It commences by looking at the treatment of grammatical particles in the German language, which serves as the theoretical basis for understanding the general notion of grammatical particles. It also looks at the presentation and the description of grammatical particles in cognitive linguistics through a comparative approach. These background approaches were used to establish the fact that the particle ‘tè’ is comparable to other particles in the grammars of well researched and established languages. The particle ‘tè’ was subjected to the basic grammatical tests that confirm the status of a word as a particle. The particle in question passed all the tests and could in addition fulfil the requirements of a composite lexical unit as stipulated by cognitive linguistics. Through the elicited language data used for analysis in this work, it was established that the particle ‘tè’ fulfils different semantic roles in utterances they appear in. This is comparable with the semantic functions of the German particle ‘doch’. It is through these roles that one can fully examine and describe the meaning and functions of this particle in any given utterance. The research concludes that ‘tè’ in the Nsukka dialect is a full-fledged particle that has all semantic functions that are attributed to particles of every established language.
word class, reference word, composite lexical unit, particle verb, semantic value, utterance, discourse and focus
A SEMANTIC STUDY OF IGBO PROVERBS OF ADVICE
Language serves not only as a tool of communication but also as a means of transmitting culture, values, and collective wisdom. In Igbo society, proverbs are an essential part of oral tradition, encapsulating advice, moral guidance, and communal philosophy in short and memorable expressions. This study is a semantic investigation of Igbo proverbs of advice, focusing on how they convey meaning beyond their literal forms. The goal of the research is to analyse the semantic features of Igbo proverbs of advice and to show how they function as instruments of guidance, caution, and moral instruction within the community. The study is anchored on the componential analysis (Goodenough, 1956; Eugene Nida, 1975) to break down the semantic features of proverbs into their basic meaning components for clearer interpretation, Conceptual Metaphor Theory (Lakoff & Johnson, 1980), which explains how abstract ideas are understood through metaphorical expressions, and Speech Act Theory (Austin, 1962; Searle, 1969), which views language as action, showing how proverbs perform communicative and pragmatic functions. Data were obtained from oral interviews, literary texts, and direct observation. Fifteen respondents were interviewed, drawn from both elders and youths, ranging from ages 20 to 70. This mix allowed for intergenerational perspectives on the use and interpretation of proverbs. The findings reveal that Igbo proverbs of advice are highly metaphorical and symbolic, drawing imagery from nature, animals, human body parts, and social experience. They serve multiple semantic and pragmatic functions, including teaching patience, promoting unity, encouraging, hard work, ensuring moral conduct, and warning against evil and its consequences. In conclusion, the study demonstrates that Igbo proverbs of advice are not merely decorative linguistic forms but powerful tools of communication, moral education, and cultural preservation. They embody the worldview of the Igbo people and remain vital for sustaining identity and intergenerational wisdom.
Proverb, Semantics, Metaphorical, Igbo, Pragmatics Symbolic
中国文化在尼日利亚的传播现状——以纳姆迪·阿奇克韦大学孔子学院为例 THE CURRENT STATUS OF THE DISSEMINATION OF CHINESE CULTURE IN NIGERIA: A CASE STUDY OF THE NNAMDI AZIKIWE UNIVERSITY CONFUCIUS INSTITUTE
随着“一带一路”倡议的推进以及中尼关系的持续发展，中国文化在尼日利亚受到越来越多学习者的关注。孔子学院作为汉语教学和文化交流的重要平台，为尼日利亚学生接触中国语言与文化提供了现实途径。本文以纳姆迪·阿奇克韦大学孔子学院为个案，基于文化传播理论和拉斯韦尔5W传播模式，采用问卷调查、访谈和参与式观察相结合的方法，考察该孔子学院在中国文化传播中的传播主体、传播内容、传播渠道、传播受众和传播效果。研究共回收学生有效问卷115份、教师有效问卷10份，并对4名教师及孔子学院中方院长进行访谈。研究发现，学生整体上对中国文化和文化活动持积极态度，尤其对中国节日、饮食文化、传统音乐舞蹈及互动体验类活动兴趣较高；汉语课程、文化活动和社交媒体是学生接触中国文化的主要渠道。教师普遍在语言教学中融入文化内容，并认为文化教学有助于提升学生的汉语学习兴趣和跨文化理解能力。与此同时，文化传播仍受到师资不足、教学任务繁重、设备与活动资源有限、宣传渠道单一、学生流动性较大以及部分文化内容理解难度较高等因素制约。基于上述发现，本文建议孔子学院进一步优化文化课程内容，提高文化活动的常态化和包容性，加强线上线下宣传，深化中国文化与尼日利亚本土文化的互动融合，并改善师资与基础设施条件，以提升中国文化在尼日利亚传播的实际效果。With the advancement of the Belt and Road Initiative and the sustained development of China-Nigeria relations, Chinese culture has attracted increasing attention among learners in Nigeria. As an important platform for Chinese language education and cultural exchange, the Confucius Institute provides Nigerian students with practical access to Chinese language and culture. Taking the Confucius Institute at Nnamdi Azikiwe University as a case study, this paper draws on cultural dissemination theory and Lasswell's 5W model to examine the communicator, content, channels, audience, and effects of Chinese cultural dissemination. The study adopts questionnaires, interviews, and participant observation. A total of 115 valid student questionnaires and 10 valid teacher questionnaires were collected, and interviews were conducted with four teachers and the Chinese director of the Confucius Institute. The findings show that students generally hold positive attitudes toward Chinese culture and cultural activities, especially Chinese festivals, food culture, traditional music and dance, and experiential activities. Chinese language courses, cultural activities, and social media constitute major channels through which students encounter Chinese culture. Teachers commonly integrate cultural elements into language teaching and regard cultural instruction as helpful for improving students' motivation and intercultural understanding. However, cultural dissemination is still constrained by insufficient teaching staff, heavy teaching workloads, limited facilities and activity resources, insufficient publicity, high student mobility, and the difficulty of understanding certain cultural topics. The paper therefore suggests optimizing cultural course content, increasing the regularity and inclusiveness of cultural activities, strengthening online and offline publicity, deepening the interaction between Chinese culture and Nigerian local culture, and improving teaching resources and infrastructure so as to enhance the effectiveness of Chinese cultural dissemination in Nigeria.
中国文化；尼日利亚；孔子学院；文化传播；文化活动
Chinese culture; Nigeria; Confucius Institute; cultural dissemination; cultural activities
There have been several studies and investigations to the verbs of Igbo language by several scholars. Some of these studies have been on the different verb types in Igbo and their functions. The Igbo copula verbs have also received much study by Igbo researchers. However, to the best of the knowledge of the researchers, there has been no detailed study on the various ways the copula, “is” can be used in Igbo. This study investigates the different ways the verb, ‘’is” can be translated in the Igbo language. It adopts the elicitation method for data collection and a descriptive linguistic approach for data analysis. The results show that the verb “is” can be translated with different words based on the context and word association. Also, in situations where “is” is used as an auxiliary verb or a progressive tense, it is usually accompanied by an open vowel suffix. The researchers therefore, recommend that further research be conducted on the verb “is” in Igbo.
‘is’ realizations, verbs, Igbo, copula, linguistic
Praise Adimchinobi Modekwe & Sunday Ifeanyi Okoli
JOURNAL OF CHINESE & AFRICAN STUDIES (JOCAS), VOLUME 6 NO 1, 2025
Confucius Educational Philosophy and Implication for Contemporary Nigerian University Students
In recent times, Nigerian University students have been facing many moral and academic challenges, therefore, this paper delves into the profound educational philosophy of Confucius and its implications for Nigerian university students as it elucidates how Confucian principles resonate with modern educational paradigms, offering insights for Nigerian educational leaders, policymakers, and students alike. Confucius, a celebrated Chinese philosopher, promoted an educational framework that prioritized inclusive education, the development of moral character, self improvement, among others for individuals. Drawing primarily from Confucius's seminal text, “The Analects,” alongside secondary literature, the study explores Confucian perspectives on education, emphasizing moral education, self-improvement, and the cultivation of virtue such as sincerity, trustworthiness, and benevolence. Several tenets of Confucian educational philosophy are highlighted, including self-reflection, lifelong learning, and the promotion of harmony. By embracing these teachings, Nigerian university students can further cultivate virtues, self cultivation, foster harmonious relationships, and develop a holistic approach to education, preparing them to navigate complex challenges and contribute positively to society.
Confucius; Confucius Philosophy; Confucianism; Confucius Educational Philosophy; Nigerian University students
Research on Social Communication of Elementary Chinese Teaching Based on Performed Culture Approach : To Take Kenyatta University as Research Object
This article systematically elaborates Performed Culture Approach through documentary research and teaching mode design on the basic kernel, teaching schemes, and strategies of PCA. The author innovatively conducts the research on the theme of social communication in PCA. Based on teaching scheme design and evaluation of social communication theme during elementary Chinese courses at Kenyatta University of Kenya from teaching object, teaching situation, teaching goal, course organization, implementation process and test evaluation 6 aspects. Chinese courses are divided into FACT theory courses and ACT practice courses. This article analyses teaching effectiveness, raises teaching reflection and suggestion, and guides specific teaching practice. Consequently, the research highlights the great value and significance of social communication in PCA during Chinese-language teaching, and meanwhile, enriches and deepens the research and practice in overseas Chinese teaching and specific theme teaching of PCA. 文章在系统梳理体演文化教学法理论（如基本内核、教学模式、教学策略）的基础上， 创新性地选择了体演文化教学中的社会交往主题进行教学研究，从教学对象、教学情境、教学 目标、课程组织、实施流程及测试评估六个方面对肯尼亚肯雅塔大学初级汉语课中社会交往主 题进行教学设计和评估，将汉语课分为 FACT理论课和 ACT实践课两种课型，深入分析其教 学效果，提出教学反思建议，指导具体的教学实践，从而论证体演文化社会交往主题教学在当 前汉语教学中的价值与意义，以期丰富并深化体演文化教学法在海外汉语教学和具体主题教学 中的研究和实践。
Performed Culture Approach (PCA)；Elementary Chinese Language；Social Communication；Teaching Mode Design；Kenyatta University
Analysis of Ugandan Adult Chinese Language Learners’ Perception and Acceptance of Chinese Culture
In 2020, Chinese was officially incorporated into the national education system of Uganda, and the influence of Chinese in Uganda continues to grow. Language serves as a symbolic system for recording culture, making language teaching and cultural education inseparable. Learning Chinese culture helps Chinese learners better understand and excel in the language, as culture is disseminated not only in cultural classrooms but also permeates grammar, vocabulary, and pragmatics teaching.This research conducted surveys and interviews with 200 adult Chinese learners in Uganda, ranging from HSK levels 1-5, enrolled in short-term and professional courses. It aimed to analyze the cognitive awareness and acceptance of Chinese culture among adult Chinese learners in Uganda. The study revealed that the main reasons for the cognitive differences in Chinese culture among adult learners in Uganda were the inadequate design of Chinese cultural courses and limitations in language proficiency. Furthermore, based on the research findings, this study proposes strategies for improving Chinese cultural education. These strategies aim to assist adult Chinese learners in Uganda in gaining a deeper understanding of Chinese culture, facilitating cross-cultural communication, and thereby enhancing Chinese language teaching. 2020年中文正式纳入乌干达国民教育体系，中文在乌干达的影响力不断扩大。语言是 记录文化的符号系统，因此语言教学与文化教学密不可分。学习中国文化能帮助汉语学习者更 好地理解并学好汉语，文化不仅在文化课堂中得以传播，还渗透在语法、词汇和语用教学中。 本研究通过问卷调查和访谈的方式对乌干达 HSK1-5级的 200名短期班和专业班的汉语学习者 进行调研，分析乌干达成人汉语学习者中国文化的认知与接受情况。本研究根据调查结果分析 得知导致乌干达成人汉语学习者对中国文化认知差异的主要原因是中国文化课程设计不够合理 和学习者语言水平的限制阻碍 了对文化的认知。此外，本研究根据调查结果分析提出中国文化 教学的改进策略，为乌干达成人汉语学习者进一步了解中国文化、促进跨文化交际提供帮助， 从而更好地促进汉语教学。
Uganda; Chinese culture; Cognition of culture; Cultural education
Visualization Analysis of Research Hotspots and Development Trends in “Chinese + vocational skills” Education (2018-202)
Using the visualization measurement software CiteSpace to analyze the research outcomes related to “Chinese + vocational skills” education in the CNKI database, it was found that the annual publication volume in Chinese vocational skills education has been increasing since 2019 and is expected to continue growing. This has led to the emergence of representative author groups and research institutions, with a focus on higher vocational colleges and international Chinese education institutes at universities. Some professional journals in vocational education are prolific sources of relevant literature. Key terms such as “Confucius Institute”, “vocational education”, and “higher vocational colleges” appear frequently, indicating the core themes in this research direction. The top 5 keywords with the highest prominence are “Confucius Institute”, “Chinese international education”, “Chinese +”, “Chinese education”, and “internationalization”, representing the research hotspots in this field. The research in this direction demonstrates a diversity of perspectives and angles. 运用可视化计量软件 CiteSpace对 CNKI数据库收录的“中文 +职业技能”教育相关研究 成果进行分析发现：“中文 +职业技能”教育年发文量从 2019年起逐年上升，预计未来会继续 增长，形成一些代表性作者群体和以高职院校及大学国际中文教育相关学院为主的研究机构； 职业教育的部分专业期刊是相关文献高产地；出现次数较多且中介中心度较强的关键词“孔子 学院”“职业教育”“高职院校”等，代表该方向的研究核心，突现强度最大的前 5位关键词是 “孔子学院”“汉语国际教育”“汉语 +”“中文教育”“国际化”，代表了该领域的研究热点 呈现出多样化和多角度的特点。
Chinese + vocational skills; CiteSpace; Research hotspots; Development trends
Strategic Educational Alliances: A Review of Sino-Nigerian Collaborations
The paper reviews the landscape of Sino-Nigerian educational collaborations with a focus on strategic alliances. The study aims to discern the purpose, challenges and outcomes of these partnerships by analyzing relevant literature. The research problem centers on identifying key trends, impact assessments and policy implications in the realm of Sino-Nigerian educational cooperation. Utilizing a systematic approach, the review encompasses peer-reviewed articles from 1998 to the present, sourced from databases such as Researchgate, Sage journals, web of science and CNKI. The research design involves and inclusive criteria framework focusing on publications in English and Chinese that specifically address educational collaborations between China and Nigeria. A total of 30 articles including research papers and reviews were reviewed for key insights. Major findings reveal common themes, challenges and successful strategies employed in Sino-Nigerian educational partnerships. The study yielded policy recommendations for enhancing collaboration and the study contributes to a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics shaping educational alliances between these two nations. This review serves as a valuable resource for policymakers, educators and researchers interested in fostering effective international partnerships in the field of education. 这项综述研究了中尼教育合作的战略联盟情景 。 该研究旨在通过分析相关文献 了解这些合作 的目的 、 挑战和成果 。 研究问题集中在识别中尼教育合作领域的主要趋势 、影响评估和侦测含 义上。采用系统性方法，综述包括了从 1998年至今的同行评审文章，来源于 Researchgate、 Sage journals、 web of Science 和 CNKI 等数据库。 研究设计涉及一个包容性的标准框架，侧重于英文和中文 出版物，专门涉及中国和尼日利亚之 间的教育合作。共审查了 30篇文章，包括研究论文和评论以获取关键见解。主要发现揭示了 中尼教育合作中共同的主题、挑战和成功策略。研究的含义包括提出政策建议以增强合作，该 研究为了解这两个国家之间教育联盟的形成动力提供了全面的认识。该综述是对政策制定者、 教育工作者和对促进有效国际合作感兴趣的研究人员的宝贵资源。
Educational cooperation; Language center; cooperation strategy; Confucius Institute
Pronunciation and Interlanguage: Difficulties in Teaching and Learning
Some believe that America English is the best while other scholar says no. To what degree can we say that this grammar or sentence is wrong? Isn’t when it does not convey his message or isn’t when the receiver does not comprehend? This study was carried out to determine the level of difficulties one may encounter in English Language during the process of production especially in the area of grammatical structures. Some believe that Language teaching and learning, mother tongue interference and transfer, interlanguage, and so on, contributed to difficulties one may see in his/her LI to L2 during communication. Interactions with the teachers and pupils were conducted with the researcher and errors were discovered.
Interlanguage, Language teaching, Difficulties in L2, Pronunciation, Grammar, Mother tongue interference and transfer
Onwuegbuchunam O. Marcellus; Onah Walter Chiedozie
Monetary Integration, Single Currency Zone and Economic Growth of Sub-Saharan African Countries
This study examines the impact of monetary integration in economic growth of Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries for the period 1999 to 2021, using Panel Autoregressive Distributed Lag Model (PARDL). Nine SSA countries from the four regions of SSA were selected based on high GDP growth rate in 2021. The countries are; Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana. The annual panel data were collected from World Bank database on the variables such as Gross Domestic Product growth rate (GDPG), Inflation Rates (INFR), Real Exchange Rates (REXR) and Fiscal Deficit (FDEF). The panel unit root and Johansen Fisher co integration tests were conducted on all the variables. While the variables exert mixed order of integration, there exists long run relationship amongst the variables. The result of the PARDL reveals that inflation rate has positive and insignificant impact on GDP growth rate in the long run but negative and insignificant impact in the short run. The result further shows that both in the long run and short run, real exchange rate has negative and insignificant impact on economic growth of SSA countries. The fiscal deficit result shows a significant and positive impact on GDP growth rate in SSA countries both in the long run and short run. The study therefore recommends that government should formulate policy that would strengthen local currencies against foreign currencies, probably by fixing the exchange rates. If this is done, inflation rate will be tamed through various productions of goods and services at reduced costs.
Monetary Integration, Panel ARDL, Economic Performance
Maduka Olisaemeka Dennis; Osang, Paul Abijia; Ogochukwu Theresa Ugwunna
Lexicostatistics Comparison of Standard Igbo and Achi Dialect
Comparative linguistics is the sub-field of linguistics that compares languages or dialects and tries to find out the differences and similarities that exist among them, using various techniques such as mass comparison, lexicostatistics, reconstruction etc. This study set out to compare the lexicon of standard Igbo and Achi dialect using the lexicostatistic analysis and lexical comparison. Data was collected using simple elicitation method, a prepared checklist culled from Swadesh 200 wordlist was used to elicit data and oral interviews were conducted over the phone to get the Achi equivalent from the Achi consultants, who are natives of Achi. A total of 100 lexical items were analyzed. The study revealed that there is a high level of mutual intelligibility between Standard Igbo and Achi dialect. From the data analyzed, the percentage of lexical items in both dialects that are different is 13%. Also, it was observed that the percentage true cognate of identical lexical items in both dialects is 45%, whereas, the percentage cognate of lexical items that differ in only sound segments is 42%. The percentage cognate of lexical items in both dialects (true cognate and words that differs in sounds) that share a similarity is 87%. It was also revealed that there exist similarities and differences between both varieties but there are more similarities. Therefore, the study establishes that Achi dialect is a variety of the Igbo language with more similarities than differences.
Chinenye Esther Onuoha (PhD); Chika Ezeudo (PhD)
Effective Language Use in Interdisciplinary Collaboration for Employee Performance and Academic Integrity in the University
The 21st century University is faced with multifarious challenges that require strategic, pragmatic and multidimensional measures for lasting solutions. This study proposes effective language use and interdisciplinary collaboration as viable measures for attaining employee performance and academic integrity in the university. The study argues that effective use of language is needed for the attainment of interdisciplinary collaboration, academic integrity, and employee performance, given that effective language use and interdisciplinary collaboration are needed to find lasting multidimensional solutions to the challenges of the university. Qualitative method and content analysis are employed. Observation, introspection and extant literatures are relied on for both primary and secondary data. The analysis shows that effective language use and interdisciplinary collaboration pave way for the attainment of employee performance and academic integrity in the university and proffer multiple solutions to the problems confronting both the university and the society. Therefore, universities are charged to willingly develop and sustain interdisciplinary collaboration and effective language use culture in its curriculum and bylaws.
Effective, Language use, Interdisciplinary collaboration, Employee’s performance, Academic integrity
Ojiako, Chinwe Doris; Nwode, Goodluck Chigbo, PhD
A Study of Some Selected Igbo Movies Subtitlings
With subtitles, a movie's spoken utterance is swapped out for its written equivalent on screen of television or cinema. This study examined Nollywood through an analysis of a few chosen Igbo movie subtitles. The objective of the study was to analyse exactness of expressions in context of the subtitled Igbo movies. Descriptive survey design was used in this study. All of the Igbo movies produced by the Nollywood entertainment industry make up the study's population. Specifically, Ákà ázú dì yá and Ònyé bù nnà ḿ are the two Igbo movies that were employed in the study. The analysis was done by using the strategies of Gotlieb and Toury’s descriptive translation theory that was used as the framework of this study. This investigation reveals that certain expressions had incorrect subtitles on the screen, and thereby misleading the target viewers. This study suggests that names of actors should be included with their on-screen words and that directors should take an active part in the subtitling process. In order to further research on subtitles in Igbo movies, this study suggests that more study should be done in Igbo culture as well as this field in the future.
Translation, Subtitling, Semantics and Nollywood Igbo movies
Corruption: Barrier between Democracy and Development
Corruption remains a pervasive challenge with significant implications for both democracy and development in many countries, particularly in the case of Nigeria. This paper explores the intricate relationship between corruption, democracy, and development, highlighting how corruption acts as a barrier to the effective functioning of democratic institutions and hinders sustainable development initiatives. Drawing on a comprehensive review of literature and empirical evidence, the paper examines the various forms and manifestations of corruption, its detrimental impact on democratic governance, and its adverse effects on socioeconomic development outcomes. Through critical analysis, the paper underscores the urgent need for concerted efforts to address corruption as a fundamental step towards fostering genuine democracy and achieving sustainable development goals.
Corruption, barrier, democratic governance, sustainable development, Nigeria
Contrasts between Igbo and Chinese Consonantal Phonemes and the Pedagogical Implications
The paper intends to contrasts the consonantal phonemes of Igbo and Chinese, and the pedagogical implications of Igbo (L1) learning of Chinese (L2) amongst the JSS2 students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University High School, Awka. The two languages under study have their phonological peculiarities, hence, any Igbo learner of Chinese is bound to encounter difficulties and vice versa. In other words due to the phonological differences between Igbo, the mother tongue (MT) and Chinese, the Target Language (TL), the different sound system may create a problem in learning the target language. The data for this paper were collected through both primary and secondary sources. The paper was able to bring out the similarities and differences using the contrastive analysis as a framework. Through a descriptive approach, the two languages are presented, Isolated and described. Through classroom interaction, the pedagogic implications are predicted based on the differences that exist in the sound systems of the two languages. The findings reveal amongst other things that the absence of some of the phonemes in Igbo which are present in Chinese pose learning difficulties for Igbo learners of Chinese. Also, Igbo has the greater number of consonantal phonemes than Chinese, hence Igbo learners will have difficulty in learning Chinese. Certain sounds in Igbo which are absent in Chinese will pose learning problems to the Chinese learners of Igbo. Chinese has aspirated sounds such as /Ph th Kh tSh etc/ which are absent in Igbo, will pose learning problems to the Igbo learners of Chinese. Absence of retroflex sounds in Igbo may lead to error in production. The study concludes by suggestions that language teachers should focus more on those areas of differences in the two languages in the course of teaching, in other to enhance the learning of the target languages ((TL).
Contrast, consonantal phonemes, Igbo, Chinese, Mother tongue, Target language
OSISI ỤFỌDỤ NDỊ E NWERE N’ALA IGBO NA MPỤTARA AHA HA
Nchọcha a bụ maka osisi ụfọdụ ndị e nwere n’ala Igbo na mkpụtara aha ha. Aha bụ ihe e ji mara ihe kpọmkwem nke na o nweghị onye ya na ihe ahụ ga-azọ ya azo, ebe osisi bụ otu n’ime ihe Chineke kere nye mmadụ iji mee ka ndụ too uto ma na-aga nke ọma. Osisi ụfọdụ e nwere n’ala Igbo nwekwara mkpụtara ha n’ụzọ dị iche iche. Ihe kpalitere mmụọ ọrụ nchọcha bụ ime ka ndị mmadụ mata na ụfọdụ n’ime osisi e nwere n’ala Igbo nwere mkpụtara site n’aha ha na-aza. Ọzọkwa, ụfọdụ osisi ndị ahụ na-ezipụta akparamàgwà ha na ọdịdị ha na etu ha si dị n’ọnụ ma ọ bụ n’anya. O nweghị nchọcha e mereela maka isiokwu a n’asụsụ Igbo otu o kwesịrị iji chọpụta mkpụtara aha osisi ndị ahụ. Nwa nchọcha gbasoro usoro nkọwasị n’ime nchọcha a. Ihe nwa nchọcha bu n’obi bụ ịchọpụta ụfọdụ aha osisi ndị ahụ e nwere. Osisi ụfọdụ e nwere na-akpa agwa dị ka mkpụtara aha ha siri dị. Atụmatụ mgbakwasa okwu nchọcha a bụ atụmatụ njirieme na atụmatụ nrugara aka. A chọpụtara na ụfọdụ n’ime osisi ndị a bụ osisi dị na gburugburu ebe ndị mmadụ bi gasị, ma ha amaghi mkpụtara ha, ebe ụfọdụ n’ime ha bụkwa ndị dị n’ime oke ọhịa dị ka: Anụnụebe nke mkpụtara ya bụ “nnụnụ ebe ebe”, Osigburummụọ, nke a gosiri na osisi a na-esi ajọ isi nke e kwesịghị idobe n’ebe mmadụ bi, wdg. A chọpụtara na osisi ụfọdụ ndị a nwere ugwu na nsọpụrụ pụrụ iche n’ala Igbo karịa ibe ha. Ebe nwa nchọcha siri wepụta ngwa nchọcha ya bụ n’akwụkwọ ọgụgụ dị iche iche yana ajụjụ ọnụ ọ gbara ndị maara ihe ekwe na-akụ n’ebe osisi dị n’ala Igbo. Aro nchọcha a bụ ka ndị mmadụ nwee ike iji ụbụrụ ha na-arụọ ọrụ oge ọbụla site n’ichemi echiche ime gbasara ụfọdụ ihe ha na-ahụ gasị na gbara-gburugburu ha. Nchọcha a ga-abakwa na nchịkọta site n’ime ka ndị mmadụ gaa n’ihu ime nchọcha n’ihe ụfọdụ dị ka akụkụ ahụ mmadụ na mkpụtara aha ha ma ọ bụ mkpụrụ aha anụmanụ ụfọdụ e nwere n’ala Igbo.
Akụkụ ahụ mmadụ bụ ihe ndị na-egosi onwe ha n’elu ahụ mmadụ nakwa n’ime ahụ mmadụ dị ka ọdịdị chi onye ahụ siri dị. Akụkụ ahụ dị nnukwu mkpa n’ndụ mmadụ. Ọ bụ mpaghara dị iche iche dị n’ahụ mmadụ, nke e ji emepụta ihe ma ọ bụ gboo mkpa. Ya na ngwaa na-agakọrịta n’asụsụ Igbo. Ngwaa n’onwe ya bụ nkeji asụsụ na-ezipụta mmegharị isi ahịrị n’ahịrịokwu. Ọ bụkwa ngwaa na-ezipụta omume ma ọ bụ ọdịdị ihe a na-ekwu maka ya n’ahịrịokwu. Ebumnuche nchọcha a bụ ịchọpụta akụkụ ahụ mmadụ dị iche iche na ngwaa ha hụrụ ọnụ, iji mata ihe jikọrọ ha na ihe kpatara ha ji agakọrịta n’asụsụ Igbo. Nchọcha a na-achọkwa ịmata ihe ọrụ akụkụ ahụ mmadụ na-eme na ihe a na-eme akụkụ ahụ mmadụ. Ọ bụ ebumnuche abụọ a kpaliri mmụọ nwa nchọcha ịbagide nchọcha a n’isiokwu a bụ “Agwara Njikọ Akụkụ Ahụ Mmadụ na Ngwaa n’Igbo.” Usoro nwa nchọcha ji mee nchọcha a bụ usoro nkọwa. Atụmatụ na-agbazi ụzọ e si eme nchọcha a bụ Atụmatụ Mkpụrụ Echiche Ndịnokwu (Theory of Componential Analysis). Nchọpụta nchọcha a na-egosi na akụkụ ahụ ọ bụla nwere mkpụrụ echichi ga-adịrịrị na ya tupu a kpọọ ya. Nchọpụta ọzọ na-egosi na ọ bụ mkpụrụ echichi ndị a mejupụtara echiche akụkụ ahụ mmadụ. Ụzọ a ka o si emetụta akụrụngwa ngwaa. A chọpụtakwara na tupu ngwaa na akụkụ ahụ mmadụ agakọrịta, ha ga-enwekọrịrị ntakịrị ma ọ bụ ọtụtụ mkpụrụ echichi. Akụkụ ahụ mmadụ na ngwaa na-agakọrịta oge ha nwere agwara ọnụ. Nchọcha a ga-abara ndị odee, ụmụakwụkwọ, ndị ọkà asụsụ na ndị nkuzi na-akụzi Igbo uru. Ọ ga-abakwara asụsụ Igbo uru.
AGBA M MBỌ DỊ N’ỌBARA NDỊ IGBO: SITE N’AKWỤKWỌ NDỊ ODEE
Ụfọdụ ndị ntorobịa n’oge ugbu a chọrọ ibute ego na-agbaghị mbọ, ụfọdụ bụ ndị si n’ụzọ adịghị mma wee na-achụta ego, ụfọdụ bụ ndị chekwubere onye ọzọ ịnyere ha aka. Nke ọzọ bụ na agbụrụ ndị ọzọ na-enwere ndị Igbo anya ufu etu ha si achụta ego ihe ndị a niile mere edereede a ji gbado ụkwụ na agba m mbọ dị n’ọbara ndị Igbo iji gosipụta na ndị Igbo bụ agbụrụ bu ịgba mbọ n’ọbara ha bịa ụwa, ha ekwenyeghị na mmadụ na-anọ nkịtị ka onye ọzọ na-emeere ya ihe niile nke ha ji kwenye na mmadụ na-akpata akụ n’ụzọ ezighị ezi ya mere ha ji kwuo sị; “onye ruo n’anwụ, o rie na ndo”. Ndị Igbo bụ otu agbụrụ e nwere na Naịjirịa nke dị na mba Afrịka. Akụkọ kọkwara site na nchọcha ndị ụfọdụ mere na ndị Igbo bụ otu n’ime agbụrụ iri na abụọ nke agbụrụ Izrel. Ndị Igbo bi n’ọwụwa anyanwụ Naịjirịa, nke a apụtaghị na ha ebighị na mpaghara ndị ọzọ ebe ha si achụta ego. E nwere steeti ise bụ steeti ndị Igbo ha gụnyere; Abia, Anambara, Ebọnyị, Enugwu na Imo mana nke ahụ apụtaghị na ha anọghị na Asaba, Ikwerre. N’oge agha Bịafra, emebisiri ọtụtụ ihe n’ala Igbo nke na onye hụrụ mpaghara ahụ taa agaghị ekwe na ọ bụ otu ebe ahụ agha daburu. E nweela ọtụtụ ihe mkpagbu ndị Igbo nwetara na gọọmentị etiti site na ntuziaka ndị gọọmentị nke enyeghị ohere imeere ha ihe na steeti ha dị ka e si e mere ndị agbụrụ ọzọ nọ na Naịjirịa mana nke ahụ agaghị eweghachi ha azụ. Edereede a chọrọ ịgba n’anwụ na ịgba mbọ ndị Igbo nke pụtara ihe site n’achụmnta akụnaụba ha bụ ọnatarachi. Edereede a ga-agbaso usoro nkọwa site n’ịleba anya n’akwụkwọ agụmagụ iduuazi anọ ndị a; Isi Akwụ Dara N’Ala, A Na- Agwa Ntị, Ọmenụkọ , Adaeze na ntaneet wee ziputa ịgba mbọ ndị Igbo oge gboo, oge ugbu a na ihe ndị ha mepụtarala na ndụ ha dị ka ọkwa ndị ha jigasi na Naịjirịa na mba ụwa ndị ọzọ ma mee ka isiokwu a doo anya. Edereede a ga-eme ka ndị Igbo mata na ha bụ agbụrụ e ji ịgba mbọ mara, umengwu adịghị n’ọbara ha ma mekwaa ka agbụrụ ndị ọzọ na mba ụwa mata na ọ bụ ọnatarachị ndị Igbo ịgba mbọ na ịweta ezi mmepe n’obodo ọ bụla ha batara.
L’ANALYSE DES PHRASES NOYAUX EN FRANÇAIS ET DANS LES LANGUES MAJEURES DU NIGÉRIA
Ce travail propose d’appliquer un système susceptible de faciliter l’analyse des phrases noyaux en français et dans les langues majeurs du Nigéria. Cette analyse comprendra un système de règles grammaticales qui génère des phrases. Cette étude vise donc à mettre en exergue les points de convergence de la langue française et des langues nigérianes. En adoptant l’approche qualitative pour analyser la phrase noyau dans ces langues, cette étude se focalise sur le syntagme nominal et le syntagme verbal qui se suivent avec un sens.
Phrase, syntagme nominal, syntagme verbal, langues majeurs
LE PROBLEME DE FAUTE D’ACCORD EN FRANÇAIS ET LA COMPETENCE LINGUISTIQUE CHEZ DES APPRENANTS NIGERIANS DANS LA PRODUCTION ECRITE EN CLASSE DE FLE AU NIGERIA
Le problème d’accord en français demeure l’une des difficultés linguistiques auxquelles se confrontent continuellement les apprenants nigérians en classe de FLE. Prévenir et déjouer ce problème constituent un défi non seulement aux apprenants mais aussi aux enseignants. Cet article porte sur l’analyse de la production écrite de quelques apprenants nigérians de la langue française qui sont arrivés au village pour le programme du bain linguistique. Basé sur des corpus des examens, cet article vise à repérer les erreurs commises au niveau d’accord en français, à comprendre leur source et suggérer quelques stratégies didactiques à y remédier dans une perspective visant le développement du français au Nigéria.
Compétence, stratégie, didactique, accord, erreur, FLE
LE SUICIDE: DANS LES HONNEURS PERDUES DE CALIXTHE BEYALA
Du fait de sa culture profondément ancrée dans les valeurs humaines et altruistes, le suicide reste un phénomène condamné dans les sociétés africaines. Plusieurs croyances et valeurs africaines méprisent la mort volontaire et la considèrent comme tabou. Bien que le suicide soit considéré comme tabou, on constate que ce mal fait partie du quotidien en Afrique surtout parmi les jeunes. Les écrivains du 20ème siècle s’inspirent de la réalité quotidienne en Afrique, et essaient de refléter ces réalités sociales dans leurs oeuvres littéraires. Cette communication est une étude socioculturelle qui vise à revaloriser la culture africaine. Elle vise également à mettre en lumière l’influence de l’hybridité culturelle sur la culture africaine en raison de la migration et de la mondialisation. Ce travail porte sur le suicide dans Les honneurs perdus (1996) de Calixthe Beyala. Nous avons pour objectif à mettre en évidence les valeurs africaines afin d’aider les jeunes à bien réfléchir pour éviter d’être pris au piège dans les actions dégradantes dont plusieurs d’entre eux sont déjà victimes. Nous avons adopté l’approche sociocritique et l’approche psychanalytique pour bien étudier l’ouvrage susmentionné. Nous avons découvert que la migration et la mondialisation sont le résultat de l’hybridation culturelle qui influence les comportements des gens dans la société. Ainsi, il s’avère nécessaire pour les africains de revaloriser leurs valeurs culturelles, les développer et d’être fiers de leurs propres identités socioculturelles. Laisser tomber l’individualisme occidentale et embrasse l’esprit de la collectivité et donc le sens de la communauté africaine.
suicide, hybridation, culturelle, valeurs, migration, et mondialisation
L’AFRICANISME DANS ALLAH N’EST PAS OBLIGE D’AHMADOU KOUROUMA
Chez certains auteurs de la littérature africaine francophone, on constate quelque fois que la langue d’écriture devient un problème. Ainsi, pour bien véhiculer leurs messages à travers leurs ouvrages, ces écrivains font une adaptation de la langue héritée de la colonisation en considérant leurs ambiances sociolinguistiques. Ils font l’africanisme qui consiste à faire un mélange ou bien une cohabitation de la langue française et leurs langues autochtones. Il s’agit ici, de tout ce qui concerne le découpage linguistique ou la perturbation du français pur, sélectionné, standard et parisien. Ahmadou Kourouma un écrivain ivoirien célèbre est l’un de ces auteurs qui sont piégés dans cette pratique. Il bouscule les normes syntaxiques de la langue française avec l’intention de nous faire voir certains éléments malinkés qui est sa langue maternelle. Notre préoccupation dans cet article est de montrer comment Ahmadou Kourouma fait une déconstruction langagière et une transgression des règles du français parisien dans Allah n’est pas obligé.
littérature africaine francophone, langue, l’africanisme, la langue française, langues autochtones, éléments malinkés, Ahmadou Kourouma, Allah n’est pas obligé
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF AFRICAN CULTURAL HERITAGE BASED ON MARYSE CONDE’S I, TITUBA: BLACK WITCH OF SALEM
African slaves deported to different parts of Europe, America and Asia had left indelible prints of the African cultural heritage in these parts of the world many years after the abolition of slave trade. As a result of this, literary works of many Caribbean authors portray African cultural heritage in all ramifications. Till date, many works of these authors with African origin showcase African culture. On the other hand, it is no hidden truth that many African youths try to imbibe European cultures while regarding African culture with contempt. These youths abandon the rich cultural heritage of Africa in pursuit of alien cultures considered absurd in Africa. For these reasons, cultural conflicts abound, giving rise to the confusion of what is culturally right or wrong in Africa as a continent. This piece of writing exposed and analyzed the rich cultural heritage of Africa as expressed in the work of Maryse Conde titled: I, Tituba: black witch of Salem. It equally sensitized the African youths on the importance of conserving their cultural values by adhering to them. It is strongly believed that this work will destroy inferiority complex inherent in our young people towards African culture vis-a-vis European culture. Psychoanalytical theory is the bed rock of the analysis of this work. The findings revealed that African cultural heritage is better appreciated and upheld by African descendants in the Diaspora than by those in Africa. It is recommended that the African culture be developed by Africans to international standard en lieu of abandoning it.
Africa, Exposition, Analysis, Cultural, Heritage, Diaspora
FORMS AND SIGNIFICANCE OF ORAL NARRATIVES
This paper employs the qualitative method of study to examine orature in relation to oral narratives, and its specific objectives are directed towards conceptualizing orature; identifying its forms; locating oral narratives and discussing myths, legends, folktales, fables, proverbs, and riddles as oral narratives. The study also investigates the socioeconomic, educational, cultural, and communal values of oral narratives within the Nigerian context. Thus the research concludes that orature, asides recording cultural matters, functions as a tool of entertainment, education and cultural cohesion.
myths, legends, folktales, fables, proverbs, and riddles