CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the study

Language is the most important aspect of human interaction. People communicate and
interact with others by using language. In the wide community, English has become an
international language. Most of the community in the whole world uses English to
communicate with others who have a different language. So, English is important to be
taught and learned by the students. In Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, “Language
is the system of sounds and words used by humans to express their thoughts and feeling”.

In the same vein, Language means a system of communicating ideas or feelings by the
use of conventionalized signs, sounds, gestured, or marks having understood meanings.
“Whatever else people may do, when they come together, whether they play, fight, make
love or make automobiles, they talk and use a language. Language seems to have many
different functions as there are occasions for using language, but for all the apparent
diversity the basic uses of language are rather limited.

There are four language skills that need to be learned by the scholars, namely listening,
speaking, reading, and writing. In addition, Obeng (2005) mentioned that there are two
conventional ways of dividing these four skills. The first way is by dividing these skills
into the medium: the spoken medium (listening and speaking) and the written medium
(reading and writing). The second way is by dividing them into receptive skills (listening
and reading) and productive skills (speaking and writing). Speaking is a productive
aural/oral skill and it consists of producing systematic verbal utterances to convey
meaning.

Meanwhile, Karklins (2005), explains that there are five aspects of speaking. They are
pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension. As explained earlier
that speaking is one of the most important aspects of learning English. more
concentration has been given to reading and writing skills. After realizing the importance
of oral communication skills, more emphasis is now laid on developing the speaking
skills of the learners to pursue their studies successfully and excel in their fields once
they finish their education. Moreover, English is the language of getting opportunities for
employment and getting success to achieve the desired goals in life.

Language plays a crucial role in politics, being essential for communication, persuasion,
and mobilization. The way language is utilized in political discourse can greatly impact
public opinion, policy agendas, and political actions. It is a powerful tool that shapes
perceptions, gathers support, and guides political events. Politicians must possess
effective communication skills to effectively navigate the political landscape and achieve
their goals. The importance of language is that knowledge helps the people to reach out
for their dreams. It is a fact that language is knowledge and knowledge is indispensable.
It is a key factor for viable communication and interaction processes because now it is
possible to share and exchange ideas to and from any part of the world. There are
different cultures in the world and it is the language that primarily distinguishes the
differences between the cultures and celebrates its unique features. The importance of
language is that it shapes the thought-process and perception of how an individual views
the world. It also helps to define the concept of culture in society because culture and
language are closely connected. The proficiency helps in an undisturbed thought-flow
process that can prove a godsend in both personal and professional life. Remember it is
the thoughts that take shape and are expressed as words, ideas and gestures later on.
Without the thoughts, no medium for expression.

There was a time when it was very difficult to express personal ideas and make others
understand due to the lack of a common language. Gestures and signs are well and good
but at the end of the day, it would need simple words to communicate thoughts in a
precise manner. Social contacts are important in order to maintain social relationships in
society. It is the language that makes it easy to develop these contacts and establish a
cordial relationship through interaction and cooperation. Communication is possible via
tone of voice, gestures, emotions, expressions and no doubt words (Fowler 1991). In both
personal and professional life, it is communication via language that enables teamwork
and form bonds for better life. Language also builds harmony between individuals in a
society that can lead to development and progress. It also becomes easier to ask for
cooperation and help if needed. Language has been a boon as it has proved its worth in
expressing thoughts, ideas, feelings, and emotions through words in society.

Political speeches in Nigeria play a crucial role in shaping public opinion and influencing
political decisions. Metaphors, a powerful rhetorical tool, help politicians convey ideas
and emotions effectively. Political speeches use literal, figurative, emotive, inclusive,
cultural, religious references, and symbolism to persuade, inspire, and mobilize audiences
for specific political objectives, creating clarity, imagery, emotion, unity, connection, and
reinforcement (Bratu & Iveta 2018). In political discourse, Politicians often utilise
language to influence and persuade the masses to think, behave, or vote in a certain
way, politicians engage in different rhetorical uses of language to achieve their political
goals. They employ linguistic device such as metaphor.

Metaphor was originated from the Greek word “metapherein”, in which “meta” means
“exceeding” and “pherein” means “carrying”. As for the exact definition of metaphor, we
can get it from various dictionaries: Metaphor, a figure of speech, is “a word or phrase
which is used for special effect, and which does not have its natural meaning.” “In a
metaphor, no function words are used, something is described by stating another thing
with which it can be compared (Jack C. & Richard S. 2005). when it comes to the
definition of metaphor, different people stand on various positions, standing for their
respective understanding of the nature of metaphor and the emphasis they prefer to place.
As a result of the fact that people stress different aspects in it, two standpoints have been
formed. One is that, centering on cognition, metaphor functions as the organizer of our
conceptual system. The other is that metaphor’s role in metaphor understanding is to
polish the text and emotionalize readers. Generally speaking, in academic field of
metaphor studies, there exist three opinions: theory of substitution, theory of comparison
and theory of interaction, each playing important roles in various stages.

Politicians use metaphors to simplify complex ideas, frame issues, engage emotions, and
enhance persuasion through vivid imagery and multimodal elements (Okunrinmeta &
Alabi 2014) Public speaking in politics involves effectively communicating messages,
ideas, and policies to diverse audiences. Using rhetoric and charisma, speakers inspire
 support and mobilize action towards political goals. Linguistic, non-verbal, and
presentation techniques are used to engage constituents.

Multimodal metaphors in political speeches combine verbal and nonverbal elements like
words, gestures, facial expressions, and body language to enhance persuasive power.
Understanding these components is vital for analyzing communication tactics effectively.
Nigeria, with its diverse population of over 250 ethnic groups and languages, offers a
unique environment for studying political speeches. The country's cultural complexity
and linguistic variations influence how politicians use metaphors in their communication.
By examining the role of multimodal metaphors in Nigerian political speeches, this study
aims to enhance existing knowledge in political discourse analysis and communication
studies. It seeks to identify common forms of multimodal metaphors used by Nigerian
politicians, their functions, and effects on audience perception. The findings of the study
have implications for political communication, cultural understanding, and democratic
processes in Nigeria, ultimately contributing to more effective communication strategies
and informed public dialogue.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Metaphors have an important role in political discourse, as evidenced by several studies

that demonstrate their ability to frame issues, alter public perception, and impact political
results. In Nigeria, a country known for its cultural richness and complex sociopolitical
terrain, political leaders commonly use metaphors to convey their thoughts successfully.
However, previous research focuses primarily on the verbal portion of these metaphors,
frequently ignoring the multimodal nature of political communication, which includes
visual, aural, and gestural elements that follow spoken words. Metaphors play an
important role in political speech, as various studies have shown. In Nigeria, a country
known for its cultural richness and complex sociopolitical terrain, political leaders
routinely use metaphors to successfully communicate their thoughts. However, current
research focuses mostly on the verbal aspects of these metaphors, frequently disregarding
the multimodal nature of political communication, which includes visual, aural, and
gestural elements in addition to spoken words.
 Despite the importance of this topic, there is a significant gap in the literature on
multimodal metaphorical building in Nigerian political speeches. Most research have
concentrated on Western contexts, leaving a huge gap in understanding how Nigerian
political leaders use multimodal metaphors to handle their specific sociopolitical
concerns. This gap is especially severe in Nigeria's complex political context, where good
communication can have a substantial impact on public opinion and political stability.
Therefore, this study intends to remedy this gap by studying the multimodal metaphorical
construction in Nigerian political speeches. It aims to identify the many types of
metaphors utilized, examine how these metaphors are supported by nonverbal aspects,
and evaluate their impact on the audience's interpretation and perception of political
messages. By doing so, the study will provide to a more thorough understanding of
political communication in Nigeria, as well as useful insights on improving the
effectiveness of political discourse in diverse and multicultural contexts.

1.3 Aim of the study

The aim of this study is to

i. Examine the multimodal metaphorical construction in political speeches in Nigeria and

its impact on political communication and public opinion.
ii. Identify and analyze the different types of metaphors used in political speeches.
iii. Examine the multimodal elements (e.g., gestures, visuals, tone) that complement verbal
metaphors.

1.4 Objectives of the study

The objective of the study is as follow;

i. To identify the multimodal elements employed in political speeches in Nigeria, including

verbal language, visual imagery, gestures, and other non-verbal cues.
ii. To explore the metaphorical themes and conceptual mappings utilized by Nigerian
politicians in their speeches, considering both linguistic and visual metaphors.
 iii. To investigate the persuasive impact of multimodal metaphorical construction on political
communication, examining its role in shaping public opinion, framing political issues,
and establishing political identities.

1.5 Research Questions

i. How do Nigerian politicians utilize multimodal metaphorical construction in their

political speeches, incorporating verbal language, visual imagery, and non-verbal cues?
ii. What are the dominant metaphorical themes and conceptual mappings employed in
Nigerian political speeches, considering both linguistic and visual metaphors, and how do
they contribute to the persuasive impact of the speeches?
iii. How does the use of multimodal metaphorical construction in political speeches shape
public opinion and influence political discourse in Nigeria, and are there any variations
observed among different political parties or ideologies?

1.6 Significance of the Study

Practically, this research is expected to give sources of knowledge and more information
for all people:

For college students, the result of this research can deeply understand about language
metaphorical and they directly can apply to their daily life. They can also improve their
ability in speaking.

For the lecturer, the result of this research can be used as guidance to enrich their
comprehension of language.

The further researchers, the result of this research can give the motivation for the next
researcher to look for mode of languages in another thing and the next researchers can
use this research as the reference if they want to research language.
1.7 Scope and limitation of the Study

This scope of the study is to examines the use of multimodal metaphorical construction in
political speeches by Nigerian politicians. It analyzes speeches from various political
parties and government levels within a specific time frame to identify and analyze verbal,
visual, and non-verbal elements. The research aims to understand how these elements
contribute to the persuasive impact of metaphors and their influence on public opinion
and political discourse in Nigeria. The generalizability of the study's findings beyond the
specific Nigerian context may be limited, and the availability and quality of data,
including speech transcripts and visual materials, could pose constraints on the depth and
breadth of the analysis. Lastly, time constraints may limit the scope and scale of the
study.

1.8 Definition of terms

 Multimodal: characterized by several different modes of activity or occurrence.

 Metaphorical: not having real existence but representing some truth about a situation or
other subject
 Political: relating to the government or public affairs of a country.
 Speech: the expression of or the ability to express thoughts and feelings
by articulate sounds.
 Media: the main means of mass communication (broadcasting, publishing, and the
internet) regarded collectively.
 Language: a system of communication used by a particular country or community.
 Communication: the imparting or exchanging of information by speaking, writing, or
using some other medium.
 References

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Jack C. Richard, Richard Schmidt, et al. (2005). “Longman Dictionary of Language Teaching
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Karklins, Rasma (2005). The System Made Me Do It: Corruption in Post-Communist Societies.
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Obeng & Samuel G. (2008). Language and Politics: In directness in Political Language in
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83 Print

Okunrinmeta, Uriel & Olugbenga Alabi (2014). A Cultural Conceptual Analysis of Some
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