LANGUAGE USE IN DIPLOMACY: A SOCIOLINGUISTIC APPRAISAL OF NIGERIA – SOUTH AFRICA DIPLOMACY (ENGLISH AND LINGUISTIC PROJECT TOPICS AND MATERIALS)
Author: Onuzurike-offor
ABSTRACT
This research work appraises the nature of language use in diplomacy especially as it concerns the Nigeria foreign policy as evident in the Nigeria-South Africa diplomatic relations. It traverses into the intricacies of language and diplomacy, highlighting the chain relation that exists therein. By adopting the survey method,the work looks into the sociolinguistic politeness theory as a tool for appraising language use in diplomacy. From the finding of this work, it was discovered that proper language use in diplomacy is germane to the peaceful coexistence between nations. The mucky relationship that existed between Nigeria and South Africa before it was fixed is a product of wrong language use. Hence, it is therefore recommended that politeness strategies more pertinently positive politeness and negative politenesstenets will be better achieved in this case, by applying strictly appropriate language use in diplomacy so as to reinforce a cordial diplomatic relationship between the duo African nations in review. The diplomats should always examine their language before dishing it out in the course of discharging their duties.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
Language is the vehicle by which human beings effect communication. According to Agbedo (2009), Language is the pivot on which all human activities ranging from the most prosaic to the most profound revolve. There is no society that has ever existed in isolation of language or without language. Language is the life of any society; therefore, no society can exist without using or having a language. It is the conduit through which most communication activities are done in any given society.
The importance of language in linguistic study cannot be overemphasized, this is because of its centrality in all linguistics sub-fields; be it syntax, semantics, morphology, phonetics, phonology, applied linguistics or sociolinguistics. In sociolinguistics however, the emphasis goes beyond the analysis of structures and theorization to the actual use of language in the society. Several definitions of language have been proposed by several scholars from the earliest times to the present day.
According to Agbedo (2000:1) “Language is a method of communicating ideas, emotions, feelings, and desires by means of a system of vocal and sound symbols”. Bucher (1979), states that language is the development of the basic forms of communication between human beings and the society. According to Nathan (2004), we cannot communicate in real sense without language, other than gesture: we do communicate through some non-verbal forms like the visual-arts-painting and sculpture and through dance, but the culmination of true, articulate, communication is through language. Language is obviously a vital tool. Not only is it a means of communicating thoughts and ideas, but it forges friendships, cultural ties and economic relationship.
The importance of language for effective communication cannot be over emphasized. The primary purpose of language is to enable communication. Communication is a social activity. It makes interaction between humans possible and effective. Language is the vehicle through which thoughts and feelings are expressed and understood. It is the environment of language used that determines the expressional approach through which ideas acquire their meaning and relevance.
