A CRITICAL DISCOURSE ANALYSIS OF EDITORIAL
CARTOONS, SELECTED FROM THE GUARDIAN
NEWSPAPER
BY
AKINBOYEWA, ANN ANUOLUWAPO
07/15CD041
A RESEARCH PROJECT SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF
ENGLISH, FACULTY OF ARTS,
UNIVERSITY OF ILORIN
IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF
BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE, UNIVERSITY OF ILORIN,
ILORIN, KWARA STATE, NIGERIA
MAY 2011
1
CERTIFICATION
This long essay has been carefully read and approved as having satisfied the requirements
for the award of B. A. Degree in English Language, in the Department of English, Faculty of
Arts, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria.
___________________________
Dr. S. T. Babatunde
Supervisor
____________________
Date
___________________________
Dr. S. T. Babatunde
Head of Department
____________________
Date
___________________________
External Supervisor
____________________
Date
2
DEDICATION
This research work is dedicated to God Almighty for His Love, Grace, Mercy, Kindness,
Guidance and Protection
To my lovely and great family; My father, Olu Joseph Akinboyewa, mother, Folashade
Elizabeth Akinboyewa, my brother Oluwole Emmanuel Akinboyewa and my sister
Oluwasimidele Elizabeth Akinboyewa.
Also, dedicated to the ever green memory of a friend Ogunsanya John Omotayo and as
well as to all those who believe they can make it to sucess, even when the road is tough.
3
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I glorify and reverence first and foremost my creator, God Almighty who has made
everything possible.
I wish to thank the Head of Department of English Dr. S. T. Babatunde who also is my
Supervisor, for his fatherly advise, constructive criticism, patience, understanding and love in
making me actualise my educational goal. I also specially thank and appreciate Dr.(Mrs) Medubi
for her support and help in my time of need and also the lecturers of this great department for
their help and support in making me who I am today.
I acknowledge in a special way, the proactive effort of my father, Olu Joseph
Akinboyewa, mother, Folashade Elizabeth Akinboyewa, my brother Oluwole Emmanuel
Akinboyewa and my sister Oluwasimidele Elizabeth Akinboyewa in their prayers, perseverance,
unflinching support and faith in God during this period. I say thank you all for your positive
virtue in all ramifications. I am also indebted in no small measures to Pastor Banji Fafowora my
uncle who had always been there for me in all areas. Also i can’t forget the motherly advise and
love of Mrs Oloyede. I as well, thank the Omoniyi family, Rev. Fr. Aliyu Titus, Fr. Matthew
Adejoh, Mr. Alex Aliyu Taiwo, Adefolaju Victor, Olaogun Michael Sunkanmi, all Stackites, Mr.
Shittu Alamu Smallete, Bunmi Awolesi, Joseph Atoyebi (Stochastic Joe), Komolafe paul,
Eseigbe Solomon, Muda Saka, Abajo Eunice and Oladapo Tunmise, all for their prayers, support
and help.
You all have contributed and sacrificed into making me who I am today, “lives of great
men all remind us we can make our lives sublime and departing leave behind us footprints on the
sands of time”.
To the Almighty God again I say thank you
4
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title page
i
Certification
ii
Dedication
iii
Acknowlegement
iv
Table of Content
vi
Abstract
viii
CHAPTER ONE
1.1
Introduction
1.2
Purpose of the Study
1.3
Justification
1.4
Scope of the Study
1.5
Research Methodology
1.6
Data description
CHAPTER TWO
2.0
Introduction
2.1
Nature of Cartoons
2.2
History of Cartoons
2.3
Types of Cartoons
2.4
The Roles of Editorial Cartoons in the Nigeria Media
2.5
Functions of Editorial Cartoons in the Society
5
2.6
Discourse Analysis
2.7
Critical Discourse Analysis
CHAPTER THREE
3.0
Introduction
3.1
Presentation of Data
3.2
Analysis of Data
CHAPTER FOUR
4.0
Introduction
4.1
Summary
4.2
Findings
4.3
Conclusion
Bibliography
6
ABSTRACT
The Critical Discourse Analysis of selected editorial cartoons aims at revealing the
intended meaning hidden in the discourse used in editorial cartoons, to his readers and explains
the theory and tools used in extracting out this meaning and its social relevance.
The tools; text analysis; interpretation and social analysis have been able to reveal the
inbalance in the use of language among the highly placed over the lowly placed, thus the use of
language reflects power dominance, injustice and inequality.
7
CHAPTER ONE
1.1
INTRODUCTION
Language is the only endowment from God to humans, which makes us totally
different from other creatures. Though, these other creatures have a language, yet they do
not communicate intentionally, habitually and sensitively as humans do. Language is
basically vocal, its use brought the need to converse and communicate. So then, the use
of language in communication is called Discourse.
Discourse enables one to see utterances beyond their sentence, level, beyond what
Brown (189) calls “sentence – level phenomena”. It is also a piece of information
exchange between two or more people, the study of conversation and not the formal
properties, although it could be in written or spoken context. Texts either oral or written
media, events like advertisements, commentaries, news items, editorial and cartoons are
all forms of discourse.
Over the years, this discipline has been described by scholars like Brown and
Yule, still there is a reason to look intently to how discourse operates, this brought about
the “analysis of language in use” which is called Discourse Analysis. Since the only
permanent thing in life is changes, there came a reason to critically analyse language use,
as used in our society.
Critical discourse analysis, analyses the use of language in areas of power abuse,
power and dominance, discourse structures and strategies, injustice, inequality, social
cognition and communication in leadership while cartoons, especially in newspapers are
very important, though most readers of newspapers see them only as a piece for
entertainments ,which rather, is basically for information, education and entertainment
8
This research work aims at examining the words that constitutes this discourse
and the intended meaning in which they portray, through so far, there has been some
findings and researches on the critical discourse analysis of cartoons mostly editorial /
political cartoons. It intends to correct the imbalance use of language in the society
between the privileged over the unprivileged, the influential and powerful over the lowly.
1.2
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY.
As a result of the notion people have on cartoons, this work aims at enlighten
them and proving to them, that cartoons goes beyond entertaining, educating and
informing, but also that the use of discourse, intentionally by the cartoonist, has some
things or carry issues it portrays. Critical discourse analysts, have over the years
examined why language in use varies between the educated over the uneducated, rich
over the poor, the highly placed over the lowly or averagely placed.
This research work aims at bringing out these lapses and finding a way it can be
tackled. The chapter three of this research work would bring this out fully and identify
the lapses.
1.3
JUSTIFICATION
The essence of language in communication is to pass across a message and be
decoded correctly by the listener, but it will be a sin to nature when the use of language is
used to exploit, overpower, abuse and override each other. This research work has come
to widen the horizon of people to the vices involved in the use of language, especially in
editorial cartoons, so as to change the readers orientation towards what they count only as
entertainments.
9
Some political cartoons have been chosen, to give this research work a good
critical analysis of the discourse in use and possibly bring out a hypothesis to help in
bridging the gap, the misuse of discourse has caused.
1.4
SCOPE OF THE STUDY
The cartoons to be used have been extracted from the “the Guardian” newspaper.
Specifically the works of D.D. ONU and OBEESS of the same newspaper. “The
Guardian”. This particular newspaper has been chosen, since it is regarded as one of the
best newspapers in Nigeria, whose conscience is transparent in terms of speaking the
truth and possesses the best cartoons in the country in meaning and potency. The cartoons
are widely read, since the newspaper is as well, a first class.
Twenty one cartoons will be examined for this research work. These editorial
cartoons are chosen mostly because of their relevance to this research topic which is a
critical discourse analysis of a selected Nigerian newspaper. The span is within a period
of four weeks, from January 2, 2011 to January 26, 2011.
1.5
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
The term critical discourse analysis would be studied intensively, its analysis,
tools and benefits to the society. Also, editorial cartoons would be examined, how the
language is studied and how critical discourse analysis can be used to give a thorough
analysis of these cartoons in order to extract the intended meaning and the social
relevance of the cartoons.
10
1.6
DATA DESCRIPTION
The data chosen for this study is twenty one political cartoons from the Guardian
newspaper.
11
CHAPTER TWO
2.0
INTRODUCTION
This chapter centers on the review of what cartoon is all about, discourse and
Critical Discourse Analysis with their relevant works in literature. The history, types,
roles and functions of cartoons would be reviewed, while in Critical Discourse Analysis
the modes, tools and analysis would be extensively reviewed as well.
CARTOONS
2.1
NATURE OF CARTOONS
Generally cartoons are regarded as humorous pieces designed most especially to
evoke laughter. These cartoons are drawn in a way, that one would just laugh it off. They
are used to satirise people, issues in the country and political leaders. In order words it is
used to depict the worthlessness of the ridiculed persons, parties or issues involved.
2.2
HISTORY OF CARTOONS
The terms cartoon has evolved overtime. The original meaning was in fine art of
the late Middle Ages and Renaissance, where it referred to a preparatory drawing for a
piece of art, such as a painting or tapestry. In the 19th century, it came to refer to
humorous illustrations in magazines and newspapers and in the early 20th century it was
sometimes used to refer to comic strips in more modern usage, it commonly refers to
animated programs for television and other motion picture media.
In modern print media, a cartoon is a piece of art, usually humorous in intent. This
usage dates from 1843 when punch magazine applied the term to satirical drawings in its
12
pages, particularly sketches by John Leech. We have the modern single panel cartoons or
gag cartoons done by Charles Addams and moved to do syndicated comic strips. Also the
editorial cartoons are found almost exclusively in news public cartoons and new
websites, though they employ humor. They are more serious in tone, commonly using
irony or satire.
Comic strips, also known as cartoon strips in the United Kingdom, are found daily
in newspapers worldwide and are usually a short stories of cartoon illustrations in
sequence, though books with cartoons are usually reprints of news paper cartoons.
So far, the oldest known picture cartoons were creature of political leaders, in
which the press found another means of attacking these corrupt leaders by using picture
cartoons instead of writing against their acts.
2.3
TYPES OF CARTOONS
Cartoons have different types, as used in different context for different purposes.
As we know the essence of a cartoon is to tell a story of something, this story comes in
different areas.
In the 1700s, artists such as William Hogarth often made sets of humorous
(funny) drawings that were about political subjects, such as poverty, elections, war and
riots. These prints were not called cartoons at that time, but they led to the idea of modern
political cartoons in newspapers. Political cartoons can usually be found on an editorial
page of most newspapers, although few, are sometimes found on the regular comic strip
page.
Most of the cartoons use visual metaphors and caricature to address complicated
political situations and this sum up a current event with a humorous or emotional picture
13
often their content includes stereotypical, biased or demonizing portraits of people and
events. In modern political cartooning, there are two types. Although their styles,
technique or view point may differ, editorial cartoonists draw attention to important
social and political issue.
The second type of cartoon is the portrait cartoons, political cartoons often
showed real politicians or other famous people. One way to make these characters easy to
recognize was to make some of their features bigger or smaller, for instance if a politician
had a round nose and a big chin, a portrait artist would make the nose rounder and the
chin bigger. Comic stripes tells funny stories in a series of pictures while, web comics are
comic strips posted on internet, but they use the new technology of the internet and some
use animation and sound for special effects. Likewise, movie cartoons are modern
animated movies created, using computer graphics rather that hand drawn cartoons.
For the purpose of our research work, the editorial / political cartoon would be used
as our data in chapter 3.
2.4
THE ROLES OF EDITORIAL CARTOONS IN THE NIGERIAN MEDIA
It is a known fact that cartoons has spread wide and have gained people’s interest
to the level that most buy newspapers only to continue their laugh it off routine, while
some check the cartoon segment first, before going through the major news of the day.
Cartoons has passed the trend of entertainment only, political cartoons most
especially, are used to call to order, enlighten, criticize issues ravaging the country,
encourage, praise e t c.
Editorials represents the official / public opinion of people, advise them on how
things can get better, so also is the editorial cartoon.
14
Lastly, an editorial cartoon speaks more than the editorial itself because, issues
which can’t be expressed in words is depicted through pictures.
2.5
FUNCTIONS OF EDITORIAL CARTOONS IN THE SOCIETY
The major function of editorial cartoon is to sanitise the society and bring back
sanctity into our society. This, as well is one of the reason why critical discourse analysis
exists in our society.
2.6
DISCOURSE AND CRITICAL DISCOURSE ANALYSIS
In the opinion of mills 1995, she says,
discourse is a verbal communication, talk, conversation, a
formal treatment of a subject in speech or writing, a unit of text
used by linguists for the analysis of linguistic phenomena that
ranges our more than a sentine and the ability to reason.
This definition simply implies that Discourse cuts across every facet of human life
and existence because it is the language in use.
Hawthorn, 1992; 189 believes that,
discourse is a linguistic communication and is seen as a
transaction between a speaker and hearer, as an interpersonal
activity whose form is determined by it social purpose.
15
He made it clear that discourse also deals with the participants (speaker and
hearer) together with the language been used, for effective communication.
In summary discourse is seen as ways of behaving, interacting, valuing, thinking,
speaking and often reading and writing that are acceptable as instantiations of particular
roles by specific groups of people.
Critical discourse analysis is expressed by Teun Van Dijk as
a type of discourse, analytical research that primarily
studies the way social power abuse, dominance and inequality are
enacted, reproduced and resisted by text and talk in the social and
political context, with such dissident research, critical discourse
analysis take explicit position and thus want to understand, expose
and ultimately resist social inequality.
As the above definition had said, critical discourse analysis checkmates the
excesses of power dominance and inequality in the social and political context.
Foucault 2000 says “by unmasking such practices, critical discourse analysis
scholars aim to support the victims of such oppression and encourage them to resist and
transform their lives.
Critical discourse analysis is a tool that arouses the consciousness of man in the
happenings around him and how the state of injustice and inequality can be addressed.
Norman fairclough has given an over view description of C D A and says;
it aims to systematically explore often opaque relationships of
causality and determination between (i) discursive practices, events
16
and texts and wider social and cultural structures, relations and
process (ii) To investigate how such practices, events and texts
arise out of (iii) and are ideologically shaped by rotation of power
and struggles over power.
To give a comprehensive understanding of Fairclough definition, Terry locke
broke the definition to the below simpler bits.

Views a prevailing social order as historically situated and therefore relative, socially
constructed and changeable.

Views a prevailing social order and social processes as constituted and sustained less
by the will of individuals than by the pervasiveness of particular constructions or
versions of reality, often referred to as discourse.

Views power in society not so much as imposed on individual subject as an inevitable
effect of a way particular discursive confiqurations or arrangements privilege of
status and positions of some people over others.

Views human subjectivity as at least in part constituted or in part constituted or
inscibed by discourse as manifested in the various ways people are and enact the sorts
of people they are.

Views reality as textually and intertextuality mediated via verbal and non verbal
language systematic and texts as sites for both the inculcation and the contestation of
discourses.

Views the systematic analysis and interpretation of texts as potentially revelation of
ways in which discourses consolidate power and colonize human subjects through
often convert positions calls.
17
Terry locke’s simplified definition of Norman Faircloughs sums up to the
existence of ideology, power, subjectivity and dominance.
According to fairclough’s (1989, 1995) model for C D A, they consist of three
inter related processes of analysis which are;
1. The object of analysis (including verbal, visual or verbal and usual texts).
2. The process by which the object is produced and received (writing, speaking and
designing and reading, listening and viewing)
3. The social- historical conditions that given these process.
To Fairclough each of these dimensions require three a different kind of analysis

Text analysis (Description)

Processing analysis (Interpretation)

Social analysis (Explanation).
The stated analyses are the major proponents that would be used in the course of
this research into getting our findings.
Halliday distinguished three meta functions of language namely;
i. The ideational which is divided into
a) The experiential, which constructs a version of, or gives meaning
to our experience.
b) The topical which defines the relationship between one process
and another or one participant and another, which share the same
position in the text.
18
ii. The interpersonal defines the process of social interaction which is
occurring.
iii. The textual which denotes the interplay and relation of linguistic elements
which gives a text it coherence
In his social theory of discourse (1992) Fairclough adopted these three meta
functions but split the inter personal into an identity functions (concerned with the
construction of social identity and subjectivity) and rational function (concerned with the
way in which relationships between people are constituted. He organized text analysis
under four main headings, forming a kind of a ascending scale ) (small units to bigger
ones).
Fairclough; Text analysis
Vocabulary
Grammar
Cohesion
Deals mainly with
Deals with words
Deals with how clauses Deals with
individual
combined into clauses
and sentences are
large scale
and sentences
linked together
organisational

Word
meaning

Modality

Wording


Metaphor

Text structure
Connectives
properties
Transitivity
and
control
and themes
augmentation
In Halliday’s Introduction to Functional Grammar (1985), the basis or the key
question used for text analysis are:
19
1.
Lexicalisation
2.
Patterns of transitivity
3.
The use of active and passive voice
4.
The use of nominalization
5.
Choices of mood
6.
Choices of modality or polarity
7.
The thematic structure of the text
8.
The information focus
9.
Cohesion choices
For a comprehesive and effective critical discourse analysis of the political
cartoons selected for this research work the;
1. Choice of mood
2. Patterns of transitivity and
3. The thematic structure if the text would be used for our chapter three
which is the analysis of the data under the text analysis
1.
Choice of Mood: The choice of mood is the element suitable for choosing a
theme in English clause. It is divided into two major parts which is (1) the
indicative mood structure (declarative, interrogative and exclamatory) and
imperative mood structure.
a) In a declarative clause, the typical pattern is one in which theme is
conflated with subject e.g. little Bo-peep has lost her sheep, where little
Bo-sheep is both subject and theme. When a theme is mapped on to the
20
subject then it is unmarked theme of a declarative clause, while when a
theme is something other than the subject then, it is a marked theme.
Interrogative clause is a typical function of an interrogative clause which
ask a question and from the speaker’s point of view, asking a question is
an indication that he wants to be told something.
We have the polarity ‘yes or no’ and the INH – interrogative. In both
kinds of interrogative clause the choice of a typical “unmarked” thematic
pattern is clearly motivated, since this pattern has evolved as the means of
carrying the basic message of the clause.
b) The second type which is an imperative mood structure, has its basic
message as either ‘I want you to do something’ or I want us (you and me)
to do something’’. This second type usually begin with let’s as in let’s go
home now; here, let’s is clearly the unmarked choice of theme. While the
first type ‘you’ can be made explicit as a theme (e.g. you keep quiet;
meaning ‘as for you;...) this is clearly a marked choice; with the verb in
thematic position. In negative imperative it is ‘don’t’ plus the next element
subject or predicator.
Mood type and unmarked theme selection
Mood of clause
Typical (unmarked) theme
Declarative
Nominal group functioning as subject
Interrogative yes/no
First word (finite operator) of verbal group plus nomical
group functioning as subject
21
Interrogative WH-
Nominal group, adverbial group or prepositional phrase
functioning as interrogative (WH)-element.
Imperative (you)
Verbal group functioning as predicator, plus preceeding
don’t
Imperative you and me
Let’s plus preceeding don’t of negative
Exclamative
Nominal
group
or
adverbial
group
functioning
as
exclamative (WH) element
2. Theme
The thematic structure is the structure which carries the line of meaning. In
English the theme is indicated by position in the clause, it mean that the way a
clause is described matters a lot in bringing out the theme from the theme,
although in some other languages the theme is announced by means of a particle.
As defined by the prague school of linguists;
a theme is the element which serves as the point of
departure of the message; it is that which locates
and orients the clause within its context
A theme can be marked and unmarked it can be marked off in speech by
intonation being spoken on a separate tone group: this is especially likely when
the theme is either,
1.
An adverbial group or prepositional phrase
3. A nominal group not functioning as subject
It is unmarked if it doesn’t have the above qualities.
22
TRANSITIVITY
In Halliday’s ‘Introduction to functional Grammar (1985) he explains transitivity as,
A fundamental property of language is that it enables human beings to build
mental picture of reality, to make sense of their experience of what goes around them and
inside them
... Our most powerful conception of reality is that it
consists of ‘going on” of doing, happening, feeling, being.
These going on are sorted out in the semantic system of the
language and expressed through the grammar of the clause
(p. 101).
In summary transitivity meant the different types of processes recognised in the
language and the structure by which they are expressed. There are six types of transitivity
process they are:
i. The doing material process; actor + goal.
ii. Saying verbal processes; sayer + what is said + (receiver)
iii. Sensing mental processes; sense + phenomenon
iv. Being rational processes
v. Behaving – behavioural processes
vi. Things that exist or happen are existential processes.
2.
Interpretation: analysing using the processes of production and reception
23
Fairclough refers to the situational context and inter textual context as central to
the process of interpretation. In terms of the situational it is useful to ask questions about
time and place.
4. Social analysis - Explanation
Volosinov says that
... the inner dialetic quality of the sign comes out fully ijn
the open in times of social crises or revolutionary changes.
In the ordinary conditions of life, the contradiction
embedded in every ideological sign cannot emmerge fully
because the ideological sign in an established, dominant
ideology is always somewhat reactionary and tries, as it
were, to stabilise the preceeding factor in the dialectical
flux of the social generative process, so accentiating
yesterday’s truths as to make it appear today’s (1973. P.
24).
The above definition makes it clear that the ideology existing in a particular
society helps to stabilise the preceeding factor in the dialectical flux of the social
generative process making yesterday’s truth come to reality today.
Michael Toolan made it known that “when the sign is unstable it is possible to see
the workings of ideology. Ideology is at its most powerful when it is invisible, when
discourses have been naturalised and become part of our everyday common sense.
In conclusion, as this research work had thus far reviewed the all ready researches
by great scholars in the field of critical discourse analysis and how it can be applied to the
24
course of which it exists, then this work of research will employ the use of the already
reviewed theory to carry out a comprehensive research on selected editorial cartoons in
“The Guardian” newspaper and hope to bring out a concise research on the use of the
language in these cartoons and how the intended meaning and purpose of this words are
extracted.
25
CHAPTER THREE
3.0
ANALYSIS OF DATA
This chapter will focus mainly on the analysis of the political cartoon selected for
this research work using the elements of critical discourse analysis to extract the intended
meanings of each datum.
In the proceeding chapter, these elements have been introduced but for revision,
they are:
1. Descriptive (Text analysis
2. Interpretation (Processing analysis)
3. Explanation (Social analysis)
Under the text analysis, the three key functions that would be used are:
i. The mood structure
ii. Thematic structure
iii. Transitivity
This research work hopes to get the intended meanings out in our data
(cartoons) for the aim of this work to be effected.
3.1
ANALYSIS
Fig 3.1 shows the tabulated form of the 21 data segmented or categorized into the mood
structure, theme and types, the marked and the unmarked theme and transitivity.
26
The analysis of text analysis
Theme and types
Sentences
Mood
Textual Inter
Topical
personal
Transitivity
M
ar Unmarked
ke
Activity
Process
d
Datum one
I am sorry, Dave
Declarative
I won’t be able to attend Declarative
-
-
I
-
√
Am
Relational
sorry
material
-
-
I
-
√
Attend
Material
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
that political rally
Speaker 2
Why?
Interrogative
Are you travelling again?
Interrogative
-
Are
You
-
√
Travelling
Material
Not that
Declarative
Not
-
That
-
√
-
-
-
-
I
-
√
Hear
Material
Are
Relational
I hear some politicians Declarative
are now desperate
27
They’ve
taken
fight-to- Declarative
-
-
They
-
√
Have taken
Material
finish politics to another
dimension
What dimension?
Interrogative
-
-
What
-
√
-
-
Terrorism
Declarative
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
I think we should change Imperative
-
-
I
-
√
Think
Mental
our president campaign
Should
Material
adverts running on radio,
change
Datum 2
television
and
in
newspapers
Why?
Interrogative
Some people have started Declarative
rubbish
the
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Some
-
√
Have
Material
name
people
“Goodluck”
28
started
How?
Interrogative
Those bomb explosions Declarative
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Those
-
√
Explosions
Material
are meant to portray him
bomb
as badluck to Nigerians
explosions
Datum 3
Disaster
here,
disaster Declarative
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Declarative
-
-
It
-
√
Is
Behavioura
frightening
l
there
It’s frightening
Do we have a national Interrogative
-
Do
We
-
-
Have
Relational
emergency plan against
disaster?
We do
Interrogative
-
-
We
-
-
-
-
What plan?
Interrogative
-
-
What
-
-
-
-
We pray
Declarative
-
-
We
-
√
Pray
Material
Datum 4
29
So,
how
are
you Interrogative
So
-
How
-
√
preparing for the public
Preparing
Material
Eyeing
Material
debate between you and
your
opponent
eyeing
government house?
I’m working hard on it
I
learnt
the
presently
lectures
governance
Declarative
-
-
I
-
√
Am working Material
fellow’s Declarative
-
-
I
-
√
Learnt
Verbal
-
-
Some
-
√
Are giving
Material
-
√
-
-
to √
-
Duck
Material
receiving
on
good
from
a
Professor
Some experts are giving Declarative
me some tops too
On good governance?
experts
Interrogative
On
-
Good
governance
On how to duck for cover Declarative
On
-
How
30
in
case
there’s
an
duck
explosion
for
cover
Datum 5
In order to encourage our Declarative
In order -
Our
children
to
to
children
governor
should
read
our
‘bring
√
-
Encourage
Read
encoura
back the book in this
Material
Material
ge
state
That’s not what we need
Declarative
-
-
That
-
√
Need
Material
Then what?
Interrogative
Then
-
What
-
√
-
-
-
-
Many
-
√
Study
Material
Many pupils in this state Declarative
study under trees
pupils
in
this study
So?
Interrogative
He should bring back the Declarative
desk,
its
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
He
-
√
Bring
Material
blackboards
31
and the school building
Datum 6
You’re corrupt
Declarative
-
-
You
-
√
Are
Relational
You’re not fit to be the Declarative
-
-
You
-
√
Fit
Material
Declarative
-
-
Your
-
√
Is corrupt
Material
You’re not fit to be the Declarative
-
-
You
-
√
Are
Relational
Declarative
-
-
You
-
√
Aggressive
Material
You’re desperate to be Declarative
-
-
You
-
√
Are
Material
-
-
You
-
√
Are
Material
president of this country
Your wife is corrupt
president of our country
You’ve aggressive
the president
You are not experience at Declarative
all
You’ve very weak
Declarative
-
-
You
-
√
Are
Material
You’re an opportunist
Declarative
-
-
You
-
√
Are
Material
32
Gentlemen, you are to Declarative
-
-
Gentlemen
√
-
discuss issues
Not to abuse each other
Are
Relational
to discuss
Verbal
To abuse
Material
Declarative
-
-
-
-
-
That’s how to capture the Declarative
-
-
That
-
√
To capture
Material
-
-
We
-
√
Are hungry
Material
attention of Nigerians
We
are
hungry
for Declarative
attention, that’s why
Is
relational
Datum 7
Governor, the man says Declarative
-
-
Governor
he’s not impressed with
√
-
the man
your 2011 budget
He wants you
Declarative
-
-
He
and your budget team to
33
-
√
-
√
Says
Verbal
Is
Relational
Impressed
Material
wants
material
go back to the drawing
board
and
Is that not the man who Interrogative
-
has
only
a
secondary
Your
Is that The man
-
√
not
Go back
Material
Is
Relational
has
Relational
school certificate?
Yes, governor
Declarative
I don’t think he’s in a Declarative
Yes
-
-
Governor
-
√
-
-
I
-
√
Don’t think
Mental
position to advise me on
To advise
the budget
Go
verbal
Material
He should go back to Declarative
-
-
He
-
√
Go
Material
So
-
What
-
√
Think
Mental
school
Datum 8
So what do you think Interrogative
about
the
postpone
34
resumption
date
for
primary and secondary
schools because of the
voter
registration
exercise?
That’s our Goodluck
Declarative
-
-
That
-
√
Is
Relational
How?
Interrogative
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
We
-
√
Pay
Material
Declarative
-
-
That
-
√
Is
relational
locked Declarative
-
-
Those
-
√
Locked
Material
-
-
Why
-
√
Close
Material
We won’t pay school fees Declarative
until next month
That’s bad luck
Those
children
out of school can’t even
register or vote
Datum nine
Why did the government Interrogative
close our schools for one
35
month?
Well,
INEC
schools
needs
for
the Declarative
Well,
-
INEC
√
-
Need
Material
voter
registration exercise
It’s not fair
Declarative
-
-
It
-
√
Is
Relational
What’s not fair?
Interrogative
-
-
What
-
V
Is
Relational
-
-
Our
-
√
Are
Our politicians are not Declarative
satisfied with capturing
politician
satisfied
power
They
not Material
capturing
now
want
to Declarative
-
-
They
-
√
capture our future
Want
Material
to Material
capture
Material
Laughed
Behavioura
Datum ten
I laughed
Declarative
-
-
I
-
√
l
When I learnt that our Declarative
former
President
When
-
I
was
36
-
√
Learnt
Material
Chosen
Material
chosen
to
settle
the
Settle
Material
leadership tussle in the
D’ivoire
why?
Interrogative
The man is qualified for Declarative
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
The man
-
√
Is qualified
Material
the assignment
He’s not
Declarative
-
-
He
-
√
Is
Relational
The man is a dictator
Declarative
-
-
The man
-
√
Is
Relational
He doesn’t belief in free Declarative
-
-
He
-
√
Doesn’t
Mental
and fair elections
And the rule of law
belief
Declarative
And
-
The rule of -
√
-
-
-
Know
Mental
Is
Relational
-
-
-
V
Die
Material
law
What I know is that he is Declarative
-
-
What
very experienced
I √
know
In what?
Interrogative
In
-
What
Do-or-die politics
Declarative
-
-
Do
37
or
√
die -
politics
And fight-to-the finish of Declarative
And
-
Fight to the -
course
finish
√
of
Fight
Material
Finish
Material
course
Datum 11
Let’s go for some beer at Imperative
-
-
Let’s
-
√
Go
Material
-
-
I
-
√
Have
Material
that roadside bar
I’ve stop drinking
Declarative
stopped
Why?
Interrogative
-
-
Why
-
√
-
-
New year resolution
Declarative
-
-
New year
-
√
-
-
Due to that new year Declarative
-
-
Due to that √
-
Blast
Material
bomb blast at a drinking
new
joint in Abuja
eve
blast
Datum 12
38
year
bomb
So, how is the 2011 race Interrogative
So
-
How
-
V
Is
Relational
-
-
It
-
√
Is getting
Material
in your state?
It’s
getting
very Declarative
interesting
Really?
Interrogative
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Oh, yes
Declarative
Oh, yes
-
-
-
-
-
-
In fact
-
It
√
-
Looks
Material
After
-
Some
√
-
Finish
Material
Eating
Material
In fact, it now looks like a Declarative
family relay race
After
some
politicians Declarative
finish ‘eating’
They pass the plate to Declarative
politician
-
-
They
-
-
It
-
√
Pass
Material
took -
√
Took
Material
To register
Material
their next of kin
Datum thirteen
It took thirty minutes to Declarative
register the last voter
thirty
minutes
39
How long will it take to Interrogative
-
-
How long
√
-
register me?
Everything
depends
on Declarative
Take
Material
Register
Material
-
-
Everything
-
√
Depends
Material
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Just pray
√
-
Pray
Material
-
-
As a result √
-
Result
Material
Said
verbal
you
Me? /How?
Interrogative
Just pray the machine Imperative
doesn’t malfunction
Datum 14
As a result of the faulty Declarative
DDC machine, the man
of
said he, his wife and
faulty DDC
couldn’t
Material
daughter
machine
Register
Material
couldn’t
the
register
I’m sorry about that
Declarative
So, why does he want to Interrogative
-
-
I
-
√
Am sorry
Material
So
-
Why
-
V
Want
Material
To see me
Mental
see me?
40
He wants to register his Declarative
-
-
He
-
anger
Wants
material
To register
material
anger
mental
Datum fifteen (15)
We should start dealing Declarative
-
-
We
-
√
ruthlessly with animals
Who kidnap people for Declarative
Start
Material
Dealing
Material
-
-
Who
-
√
Kidnap
Material
-
-
I
-
√
Think
Mental
-
-
That
-
√
Is going
Material
big ransoms in this state
your Excellency
I think death should be Declarative
the
penalty
for
the
offence
That’s
going
to
be Declarative
difficult my dear deputy
41
Why you Excellency?
Stop
pretending
Interrogative
you Imperative
-
-
Why
-
√
-
-
-
-
Stop
√
-
Stop
Material
didn’t know that we too
pretending
pretending
captured this state for a
bigger ransom
Datum sixteen (16)
Good news dear
Declarative
-
-
Good news -
√
-
-
√
Has
Material
dear
Our
governor
has Declarative
-
-
Our
promised to give people
-
governor
promise
of this state free food
If we come out for the Declarative
If
To give
Material
-
We
√
-
Come out
Material
voter registration
This is interesting
Declarative
-
-
This
√
-
Is
Relational
Oh yes
Exclamatory
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
He
√
-
Is inviting
Material
In
other
word,
he’s Declarative
In other -
42
inviting us to come and
word
To come
Material
Eat
Material
Can
Material
and vote for some people
register
Material
to come and eat for four
Vote eat
Material
Am afraid
Material
Can’t
material
you performed poorly in
employ
material
the aptitude test
Performed
material
eat for a few days
So that we can register Declarative
So
-
That we
√
-
days
Datum seventeen (17)
Young man, I’m afraid we Declarative
-
-
Youngman
can’t employ you because
No
wonder
a
-
I
minister Exclamatory
said most of you new
graduates
√
No
-
A minster
√
-
Said
Verbal
-
You
-
√
Have
Relational
wonder
are
unemployable
You have nothing to say?
Interrogative
-
43
I’ll go into politics sir
Our
governor
promised
to
give
Say
Verbal
Declarative
-
-
I
-
√
Will go
Material
has Declarative
-
-
Our
-
√
Has
Material
the
governor
promise
people of this state free
To give
Material
food.
If we come out for the Declarative
If
-
We
√
-
Come out
Material
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
So
-
What
-
√
Is
Relational
Going
Material
To give
Material
voter registration
Great
Exclamatory
So what is INEC going to Interrogative
give us?
How?
Interrogative
A lot of people stand in Declarative
-
-
How
-
-
A
the hot sun for hours
lot
people
waiting to register
44
-
√
-
-
of -
√
Stand
Material
Waiting
Material
So what?
They
Interrogative
should
give
us Declarative
So
-
What
-
√
-
-
-
-
They
-
√
Should give
Material
So
-
How long
-
√
To register
Material
-
-
One
hour -
√
-
-
packet of pain killers
Datum nineteen (19)
So, how long did it take Interrogative
to
register
you
as
a
and
thirty Declarative
voter?
One
hour
minutes
and
thirty
minutes
Unbelievable
I
thought
Exclamatory
it’s
now Declarative
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
I
-
√
Is
Relational
To register
Material
possible to register in ten
minutes
That’s true
Declarative
So, what happened in Interrogative
-
-
That
-
√
Is
Relational
So
-
What
-
√
Happened
Material
45
you own case?
I was on the queue for Declarative
one
hour
-
-
I
-
√
Was
Relational
Before
-
It
√
-
Was
Relational
-
-
Congratulat √
-
Victory
Material
twenty
minutes,
before it was my turn
Declarative
Datum twenty (20)
Congratulations on your Declarative
victory at your party’s
ions
primaries
your victory
I
learnt
you
were Declarative
on
-
-
I
-
√
Learnt
Material
-
-
That
-
√
Is
Relational
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Get ready
-
√
Ready
Material
Are elected
Material
imposed on the people
That’s
our
party’s Declarative
philosophy
Interesting
Get
ready
Exclamatory
for
other Imperative
imposition when you are
46
elected
I don’t understand
Declarative
-
-
I
-
√
Understand Mental
Your party may impose a Declarative
-
-
Your party
-
√
May impose Material
-
-
Sir,
many √
-
Say
Verbal
driver,
cook,
secretary,
Pro, special assistant, et
cetera on you
Datum twenty-one (21)
Sir,
many
member
of Declarative
your party say you are a
members of
dictator who decided who
your party
become what in the party
I am a democrat
So,
how
come
Declarative
your Interrogative
-
-
I
-
√
Am
Relational
So
-
How
-
√
Come
Material
barber, tailor, medicine
wife,
son-in-law
daughter
are
and
now
47
candidate in the forth
coming elections?
They all won the primary Declarative
-
-
They
-
√
Won
Material
-
-
Your party -
√
Say
Verbal
elections
Your party members say Declarative
you anointed them sir
members
That’s a lie
Declarative
-
-
That
-
√
Is
Relational
I’m not a pastor
Declarative
-
-
I
-
√
Am
relational
48
ANALYSIS
For the Description, Interpretation and the Social Analysis, ten (10) datum
had been selected. They are datum two (2), four (4), five (5), seven (7), ten (10),
fourteen (14), fifteen (15), sixteen (16), seventeen (17) and twenty one (21).
The following datum are chosen to represent the whole data because they have
significant roles they play particularly in the whole data, and to help us in
achieving a good research on the topic of “A Critical Discourse Analysis of
Selected Editorial Cartoon”.
1. Datum four titled “Playing safe”
The use of interrogative mood structure twice in this discourse is to require
information. Speaker one, requested to know, the rate of preparedness of
speaker two.
Declarative sentences appeared five times in this discourse to give and pass
across information to the other speaker about something.
Theme
The first statement, takes the unmarked theme, because the statement is an
interrogative question “so how”.
Reason be that, interrogative sentences hardly have marked themes, an
exception can come only, when the circumstance, precedes the finite or the
WH-word as the first element in the clause, it takes up then, the full thematic
xlix
potential and displaces the finite or WH-word as theme. E.g.
In the spring
Shall
We
Circumstance
Finite
Actor Subject
Go shearing
Theme (marked)
Also note that in the question, “so how are you preparing for the public
debate between you and your opponent eyeing the government house?” The basis
in the declarative form is “You are preparing for the public debate between you
and your opponent eyeing the government house”. Now, “so” in the interrogative
mood, serves as an intensifier in the questioning statement to enhance “you”.
Also in the declarative sentence “on how to duck for cover in case there’s
an explosion”, “On which is a preposition in the context, made the theme a
marked one, because a prepositional phrase starts the sentence,and as we know
that a theme sets the scene for the clause itself and positions it in relation to the
unfolding text.
Transitivity
The first speaker made use of the material and verbal process to address the
politician in question, while the addressee made use of the material process
throughout.
In this datum, the transitivity used depicts that both speakers, spoke at will,
l
without any form of superiority or inferiority shown through their use of
transitivity process.
Discourses at work in the context
As the title depicts “playing safe”, the discourses used by both men are well
chosen, because as we can see in the visual part, both men look respectable and
highly placed. The relationship that exist in their discourse is symmetrical, which
dictates the choice of word.
Interpretation: analyzing the processes of production and reception
The situational context which is the time and place, showed that the cartoon was
released during the nation’s preparations for her election (Nigeria).
The contextual aspect which influenced the production, was the incidence, of the
Jos bombing and bombings in some other States in the country, meanwhile this
period ,as said earlier was election time
Speaker two expressed to his addressor that instead of taking lectures on good
governance, “he” prefers to take bombing lesson classes, so as to protect his life,
in case the unexpected happens, thus; this depicts that the nation is not secured.
Datum two (2) titled “looking inward”
This datum consists of an imperative sentence, used as an invitation or offer.
Also, the use of interrogative sentences twice to inquire answer from the second
speaker, while declarative sentences were used in this context to give an
information.
li
Theme
The theme “I think” “some people” and “those bomb explosions” are all
unmarked because they are the most expected, common, usual, ordinary and
unremarkable sentences.
On the second speaker’s part he made use of the interrogative mood ‘why’ and
‘how’
Note that the typical function of an interrogative mood is to ask a question
from the speaker’s point of view.
Transitivity
The first speaker made use of the mental process verb, to express his
‘sensing’, also the material and relational processes are used to express himself to
his addressor.
The second speaker only inquired to know and thus, didn’t use any verbal
process.
Speaker one was able dominate the speech through his use, of the verbal
processes to buttress his point i.e. why the name Goodluck must be changed in
adverts running on radio, television and newspapers, meanwhile, the other party,
is not given a chance to give even, one declarative sentence, only to ask. Thus,
giving us the conclusion that the first speaker dominated and controlled the
discourse, hence; rated higher than the other speaker.
Discourses at work in the context
lii
The discourse in use here are carefully selected because the cartoonist
intentionally gave the first speaker the privilege to use mental and material verbal
processes in the imperative statement to give an offer or invitation to the second
speaker, leaving the second speaker no other option but to ask, ‘why’ and ‘how’.
Interpretation
The time of this release was at the period of the nation’s preparations for
election, while the place is Nigeria.
The contextual aspect that influenced this write up (cartoon) was the issue
of constant bombings in the country by some unknown persons, with hidden
agenda, whom the first speaker, took as hoodlums, causing upheavals, in the
country, whose aim is to spoil the good image of the president “Goodluck” to
“Badluck”.
Social Analysis
The idea is that before the bombing, the country had experienced peace, while
then, the name ‘Goodluck’ was bringing good tidings to the citizens but when the
crisis and disparity came into show, the president’s good name was then change to
‘Badluck’ which surely will affect the image of the nation, Nigeria.
Seventh datum titled “Home work”..(2)
In the discourse of this context, the declarative mood was used five times
to the pass across an information to the second speaker, while the interrogative
mood structure reflected just once to seek for an information.
liii
Theme.
We have, “Governor the man”
“and your”
“is that not the man
“yes Governor”
All are marked themes in this discourses. In the first sentence “governor the
man”,the word,Governor, functions,as a complement under the class of nominal
group which can have a common or proper noun as the head.
“in”and your”, the second marked theme serves as a textual theme which
helps in connecting words. Connecting the first statement with the second using
‘and’.
The third marked sentence “ is that not the man” is marked because “ is
that not” is an interpersonal theme, because there is use of a finite in the
interrogative clause, where it precedes the subject and immediately signals that
the speaker is demanding information.
The last marked theme “yes Governor” simply shows that “yes” is intensifying
the “ Governor”. The basis of, “is that not the man” is, ‘That is the man who has
only a secondary school certificate’, where ‘that’ is the topical theme.
Transitivity
The speaker made use of one of the verbal, relational and material processes to
inform the governor of “ the man’s” appeal, but in reply the Governor degraded
liv
the man in question, by using the relational verb ‘is’ to address the man. In the
Governor’s second statement the verbal, mental and material processes were used
to protray that the man in question is insignificant and not up to his standard (the
Governor’s standard) and by so “ he should go back to school”.
Discourses at work in the context
In analysis above, the Governor selected the use of his word like “is that not the
man” who was only a secondary school certificate.
This structure put in place, is to depict his superiority over the man with only
secondary school certificate.
Interpretation
It shows the used of power by highly influential people over the masses (lowly)
who do not have such means. In Nigeria such is not far fetched, it happens all
around, misuse of power through discourse(s) in use by the highly placed over the
lowly ones.
The Governor’s question is structured in a degrading manner, by b
killing the personality of “the man with only a secondary school certificate “
whom the Governor feels, has no right to question is implementations.
Social analysis
Over the years, the country had always been faced with this ideology “misuse of
power on the innocent citizens”. This trend still exists in our society.
The tenth datum tittled “Tale of the unexpected”
lv
The declarative mood structure appeared nine different times with the aim of
sending in information, while the interrogative mood structure appeared only two
times, with purpose of asking a question and wanting to know something.
Theme
The marked themes are “when I”, and the rule of law “in what” and “do or die...”
“when I” and ¨the rule of law” are marked themes because they serve as textual
themes to the topical theme “I” and “the”, their work in the context is to connect
the words, there by adding meaning to the topical themes hence, enhancing the
information passed. In “in what”, “in” is serving as a prepositional beginning to
the word “what” thereby functioning as a complement.
Also “what I knew” is marked because it functions as a compliment with class,
nominalisation.
Discourses in use
The used of marked theme is used by these speakers to emphasize their points.
The first made use of the declarative mood to give his reason why the ‘politician’
in question, is not fit for the position he was given, and his interrogative partner,
who mischieviously gave his opinion on the issue at the end using the declarative
sentence “Do or die politics and fight to the finish of course”.
Transitivity
Speaker one, made use of a behavioural verb process, which came in form
of his reported laughter to express wonder. “I laughed”. In his concluding
lvi
statement, he made use of of the relational verb “is” to state the nature of the man
in view. The second speaker replied with an interrogative clause asking ‘why’ and
used a material verb to express his confirmation of the nature of the politician’s
status. “is experienced”
The first speaker again disagreed with him using a relational verb process
twice to describe the man as the second speaker again disagreed with him, using
material verbs to qualify the real personality of the man in question “Do or die or
fight to the finish
Material material
material
Interpretation
The place, where this issue revolves is Nigeria the contextual belief is that the
politicians in this country, never call it off after several functions, instead they
aim higher even when they are not capable and don’t have the required qualities.
Social analysis
This has always being the trend in our country over the past generation. After
running a race in the state of affairs of the country, they pass it over to their
families for continuity. Bad enough they themselves at an old age, take up taxing
responsibilities.
Eleventh datum titled “playing safe”
A picture is shown of two people driving in a car.
Speaker A made specific use of an imperative mood with the unmarked theme
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“lets”, offering his friend an invitation to go out for a beer. He likewise made use
of an interrogative mood to ask and wanted to be informed of the reason behind
this statement.
Speaker B, made use of the declarative sentence to give his reasons
(information).
Theme
The only marked theme here is “Due to that bomb blast”
It is a topical theme and is marked because, it is an adjunct i.e. it has a
prepositional beginning, making, it a prepositional phrase.
This phrase is to convey the actual reason to his friend.
Transitivity
The use of verbs by these two gentlemen depicts they have a symmetrical
relationship, e.g. have stop’, ‘go’, ‘blast’. There is no power tussle between them
in their use of language because they use material verbs throughout.
Discourse at work
The flow of the discourses, with the presence of material verbs all through
shows no power dominance in any form by this two likely friends of the bar, but
the problems caused by the hoodlums or rebels in the land, who plant bombs, are
depriving the innocent citizens of pleasure.
Interpretation
This cartoon was release at the time of the incidences of bomb blast, especially
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the one that occurred in Abuja on New Year eve.
The contextual believe now is that the nations insecurity state, has given
caution to speaker B about taking beer, thereby given him the privilege of making
a new year resolution, not to drink beer again, thinking he might be the victim of
the explosion next time.
Social analysis
Though there hasn’t been a total state of peace on the land, but still then is
better than now, where we have incessant bombing, which leaves everyone to
sleeping with one eye opened, as our wise speaker, quickly took a safety
precaution by making a resolution not to drink again.
Sixteen datum titled “home truth”.
Speaker A which is the wife made use of declarative sentences in her first
statement divided into three, to pass a joyous information across to her husband
over the government’s promise. So also declarative sentence was used by the
husband to affirm her information. Also an exclamation mark is used here to
show her state of happiness. “oh yes”
Theme
The marked themes we have are;
“if we”
“thus”
“In other words”
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“so that we”
In “if we” it is marked because ‘if’ connects the woman’s sentence, thereby
making ‘we’ the topical theme ‘if’ stands as a conditional, here ‘thus’ which is a
topical theme, is been explicity foregrounded as the theme of the clause, because
it is a nominal element, which being normal, has the potentiality of being a
subject.
“In other words” used by the husband, marked because as a textual
connecting words it functions as an adjunct, a prepositional phrase giving a
foregrounded meaning in the context.
Transitivity
The use of relational, and material processes gave the man the opportunity portray
the words of the governor, as one which dominates and exihits the governor’s
influence (power dominance) and power inequality to propel the people of the
state to register
Discourses at work
On a neutral ground, the people ought to register without the promises of
free meal and goodies, but the government, sensed that all, do not have the means
of livelihood, and by so he promised free meals, which surely, people will jump
out.
The cartoonist selected the words of the governor to reveal that he
discovered the weakness and lack of the peoples, and by so, used his power to
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influence and attract people, to the bounty, which they can get only if they come
out to register.
Interpretation
The cartoon was release during the time of preparations for election in the
country.
The contextual believe is that the government or the people trying for one
post or the other, feels that when they give out free things out to people, their
allegiances sure, which shouldn’t be on a normal circumstance.
Social Analysis
The trend has been, when election is close at hand, politicians come with
promises (to do this and give that) would reach out to the public in cash and kind.
It’s still a reoccurring incidence.
This attitude of theirs is demoralising the country’s image and should be
eradicated completely.
The seventeenth datum titled “Home Grown”
Declarative mood structure is used twice to pass across information on certain
issues.
The interrogative mood is structure is used to ask why, wanting to know,
while the exclamation remark is used to express wonder or amazement.
Theme
The marked theme is
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“No wonder a minister”
It is marked because “no wonder” is a textual theme, it is used at the beginning of
this clause to signpost the development of the discussion.
Transitivity
The dominant speaker dominated the speech, by using material, verbal and
relational verb processes while the second silent speaker had nothing to say, but
just a verbal process which is “will go”
He dominated the speech (power dominance) by the verb process he used
in relating has message to the man.
Discourses at work in the context
To be logical, the boss of the company gave his reasons, to the man, why
he can’t be employed He as well castigated the young man with his discourse,
leaving the young man with nothing to say. So that when the young man saw hope
forth coming as regards the job, he resulted into politics the most flourishing
venture available for both knowledgeable and illiterate. This can only be possible
in Nigeria.
Interpretation
This cartoons portrays the way Nigerian institutions are not up to standard, since
most of the curriculum and syllabus are mostly theoretical and no practicality
because they lack the equipment.
No doubt that, this revealing issue will affect the product released. Also
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that students who aren’t serious with their studies, would come out low.
The practice of politics then, is degraded to the lowest level, since it is
seen as the only option left for such people, since it is quiet profitable for all so
far they can play the game very well.
Social Analysis
The ideology had been that anyone can play the game of politics in Nigeria,
provided that you are smart in your dealings, since the doors always opened.
Although this hasn’t been like this, from time past, if we could go down
memory line, the first state man that fought for the freedom of Nigeria, likes of
Nnamdi Azikwe, Obafemi Awolowo, Henry Townsend, etc all formed their
parties, for the sake of freedom.
They were all intelligible, highly read and respected in the community.
Not just any person is admitted into the party then, but now reverse is the case.
Datum fifteenth (15) titled “learning process”
Declarative statements were used four times to give information on the issues on
ground while the interrogative, ‘why’ inquired to know.
The imperative sentence “stop pretending” serves as a command.
Theme
The only marked theme in this context is “stop pretending” which is a topical
theme.
It is marked here because the verb appears in altrematic position.
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Transitivity
The first speaker made use of the processes of material and mental to
buttress his suggestions to the speaker B, He thinks some strategies have to be put
in place, so as to throw precaution into wind and put all perpetrators of kidnap,
into book. Speaker B, using a material process, indicated that the suggestion
would be difficult. Speaker A, asked why and speaker B, reminded him in an
imperative sentence that he had forgotten, they captured the country, as well with
a larger ransom using a material process.
Discourse at work.
In this context, speaker A thinks (mental) and feels (mental) that strategies should
be put in place is apprehend, the perpetrators of crimes (kidnap) while speaker B
(the president) used a command “stop pretending” to remind his deputy that they
actually, had committed, more crimes than the kidnappers.
He controlled the conversation with his last statement “stop pretending”.
Interpretation
This conversation reveals that, as citizens of the country (Nigeria), keeps
complaining of injustice in the land and looking on tm the government as their
saviour, so also indirectly this same government have actually, done and
committed greater sins, which is “capturing the country for a greater ransom”.
This power of inequality i.e. the influential and powerful people
subjugating the masses, who are rather weak, to their rules and dictates, and since
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they are co-partners in crime with this kidnappers (even worse sinners), they have
no power to curb and put in question, the lesser devils.
Social Analysis
The practice had always been, the people looking up to the government as the
messiah, where they can find refuge and protection. The government is expected
to be the one, seeing to the affairs and will being of the citizens, but reverse is the
case now, even they are the worse perpetrators of the problems we face this days.
Datum fourteen titled “warning signs”
Speaker one made use of declarative statements twice, to give and pass across his
message while speaker 2 made use of a declarative statement well, to pass across
his message and an interrogative clause, to ask why.
Theme
The marked theme is “As a result of the faulty DDC machine”
It serves or functions as a complement to the clause, thereby given the
statement a class of prepositional phrase, since it started the sentence.
In “so why”
In the interrogative statement “so why” ‘so’ is a textual theme while ‘why’ a
topical theme.
It is not marked because in interrogative mood structure, sentences hardly
have marked themes, an exception can come only when the circumstance,
precedes the finite or the WH- word as the first element in the clause thin it takes
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full thematic potential and displaces the finite or WH- word as theme.
Also in the theme “so why”, ‘so’, here serves as an intensifier to ‘why’.
Transitivity
Speaker A made use of material, mental and verbal processes to give and express
the feelings of ‘the angry man’ while speaker made use of material verb process
and mental verb process.
The verb the man ‘said’, was used to rotate, the man in question, who was
unable to register with his whole family, and all the boss could say was ask why
‘why does he went to see me’
Here, the man reporting, informed the boss that all the man could do,
because he couldn’t register (which is his right) was to get angry (mental) while,
all the INEC boss could do was to ask and inquire “why”, the man in question is
powerless (the angry man) because he cannot do more but to just rant in his anger.
Discourse at work.
The man in question, can’t save the situation he encountered in exercising his
civic right. Though the boss in question shared reversed (mental) but still cannot
arrest the situation.
Interpretation
This conversation reveals that though, the DDC machine was aimed at eradicating
violence in election (rigging etc) and put in place, a free and fair election, people
still troop out in large number to register despite having to queue for long
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sometimes, unfortunately as a result of the poor capacity output of the machine
many queuing for long at the end go back home achieving nothing. Just a few acts
registered while no compensation is made available, for those scotched by the
sun.
Social Analysis
The old system of manual registration had not posed so much problems, though
not really perfect but the new invention (DDC machine) which was put in place to
keep a corners record and protect the country’s image from vices of rigging and
chaos, as well has some lapses.
The new invention, may prove to be a good idea but the fact remains, that
a lot of people were unable to register because the machines do not stay for longer
hours before they call it aday, if only they (government) could produce mere of
this machines that could circulate round, the country, at least twenty machines to
one hundred people, not a machine to two hundred people.
The society needs to improve and put in, devices and implementations that
would help, give a drastic growth, to the nation and not retrogression.
Datum twenty one titled “let us pray”
Theme;
The marked theme “sir many members of your party ‘sir’ here, is functioning a
complement, under a normal group. Common or proper noun as Head of
Generally the essence of declarative statement especially in all the datum used is
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to give an information. While interrogative statements give, command, invitation
or request. Also all unmarked themes in this data are the common, expected and
unmarkable cases.
Transitivity
Speaker A used a verbal process, people ‘say’ while speaker B made use of a
relational process ‘am’.
This showed his authority in putting away or the thing, he was been accused of
speaker A asked how ‘come’ such allegations came against him, speaker B still
confident, waved off the opposition talk using the material process they ‘won’.
Speaker A continued ‘your party members’ “say” (verbal).
Speaker B replied that it ‘is’ a lie (relational), still proving wrong his accusers.
Speaker B ended his last statement with the relational verb process. I “am” not a
pastor.
The use of his position and authority has been shown through his use of verb,
thereby dominating the conversation.
Discourse at work
The transitivity and the mood structure have shown to us clearly that the
politicians in question, made use of his autocratic power to silence anyone who
cares to talk.
Interpretation
In the Nigeria ruling system, as the case had always being, political officers or
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highly placed personalities, see it as an obligation to take along their immediate
families, relative, friends, even in laws in consuming the country’s national cake.
They see it as investment, for their lineage alone, putting aside their course of
calling which is to serve the people of the land.
Social Analysis
Before corruption became the order of the day, leaders chosen by the people,
(democracy) serve the nation with their leadership prowess, putting into
consideration, the people before their own families.
Now, reverse is the case as our elected figures get there only, to stay and
enjoy alone the dividends democracy.
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CHAPTER FOUR
4.0
INTRODUCTION
This chapter which is the last in this study gives a summary of what we
have alone in chapters one to four. The findings are presented and it ends with the
conclusion is this study.
Summary
So far this research work has been able to explain that language use brought the
need to converse and communicate also that humorous pieces are designed mostly
to evoke laughter Editorial cartoons know as political cartoons are used to satirize
the society and bring back sanctity to every house in the society.
Meanwhile, critical Discourse Analysis studies the way social power
abuse, dominance and inequality are enacted, reproduced and resisted by text and
talk in the society.
Our main tool for CDA, was discussed explicitly, the tools and the
metafunction. They are:
1.
The text analysis
2.
Interpretation
3.
Social analysis
Chapter three presented and analysed the data by bringing out such elements as,
i. The mood structure
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ii. the theme
iii. the transitivity.
In chapter three, this research work was able to analyse the given data
which is the editorial cartoons using the above mentioned tools. Lastly the chapter
four, gives the summary of the last three chapters and most importantly the
findings and conclusions.
FINDINGS
This research work has discovered that when we take a close look at
statements and questions and at various responses, to which these naturally give
rise, we find that in English they are typically expressed by means of a particular
kind of grammatical variation which extends over a clause. So then, mood carries
the burden of the clause.
In declarative sentence, we discovered that marked declarative themes, are
marked, because they carry a serious message. When the words or sentences are
unusual and stands out in the context they appear. Unmarked themes are the usual
sentence structure of SPCA.
Basically declarative mood gives information. In an interrogative mood
structure we discovered that the basic purpose, is to ask a question, the speaker
wants to be told something. Also that in a yes (no interrogative, the finite verbal
operator functions as the element that embodies the expression of polarity either
lxxi
negatively or positively. E.g. is, isn’t, do, don’t, can, can’t. While WHinterrogative, search for missing piece of information and expressing the missing
nature of who, what and how.
Also it carries mostly unmarked themes and marked in rare cases, when
the circumstances, proceeds the infinite or the WH- word as the first element in
the clause, then ending it with a question. It was observed as well that imperative
statement is the only type of clause in which the predictor (the verb) in
exceptional cases, either used as a command, request or invitation reflects in the
theme and when this happens, it is a marked theme, because the verb is in a
thematic position.
Furthermore , we discovered that a theme orients the clause in the whole message
while under transitivity we observed that it, gives our research work a sense of
reality because it consists of thing ‘going on’ e.g. goings on of
i. doing (material)
ii. saying (verbal)
iii. sensing (mental)
iv. being (relational)
v. having ( behavioural)
vi. things (existential process)
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Text analysis has we got, has guard us into knowing the types of
statements we make, the theme which carries the message, the transitivity which
reveals to us the speaker or decoder.
Also how the use of power, influence and authority reflect the use of our
everyday language. In interpretation we discover that it took intently at the way
each discourse is issued and the meaning each word carries, so also the message it
passes. We found also that social analysis explains how each discourse made
affects the society at large, its implications and affects in the society.
CONCLUSION
In all, this research work has been able to conclude that Critical Discourse
Analysis as a theory, reveals the hidden meaning embedded in discourse, made in
communication and how it affects the society (positively or negatively) The
analysis of our data (editorial cartoons) has brought out the use of text analysis,
interpretation and social analysis.
This research work hopes that more work would be done on Critical
Discourse Analysis of other types of cartoons, to as well, bring out the intended
meanings in the discourse used.
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BIBLIOGRAPHY
PRIMARY MATERIAL
Selected editorial cartoons from “The Guardian” newspaper, dated January 1st 2011 to
January 31st 2011.
INTERNET
Wikipedia (2011). Political caricatures in history. Retrieved on 4th May 2011
www.ask.com/wiki/cartoon.html
A brief history of political cartoons. Retrieved 4th May 2011 from xroads
virginity.edu/uma96/puk/part/html
A
foucauldian
discourse
analysis.
Retrieved
4th
May
2011
from
www.firstmonday.org/htbin/cg:wrap/bin/ojs/index.php/fm/article...//1302/1222
JOURNAL ARTICLES
Van Dijk, T. A. (1993a), Principles of Critical Discourse Analysis: Discourse in society,
4, 249 – 283.
Hilary, J. (1997). Critical Discourse Analysis as a critical tool: studies in the Culture
polities of Education 18 (3), 329 – 342.
MATERIALS
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Brown, G. and Yule, G. (1983). Discourse Analysis Cambridge: Cambridge University
Press.
Chatman, S. (1978). Story and Discourse. Narrative Structure in fiction and film.
London: Cornell University Press.
Coulthard, M. (1977). An Introduction to Discourse Analysis. London: Longman.
Fairclough, N. L. (1992). Discourse and Social Change. Cambridge: Polity Press.
Halliday, M. (2004). An Introduction to Functional Grammar: Hodder Education
Hawthorn, J. (1992). A Concise Glossary of Contemporary Literary Theory: Ednold
Arnold London.
Mills, S. (1997). Discourse. The New Critical Idiom: Routledge
David, B; Rhondda, F; Sue, S; & Colin, Y. (1995). An Explorer’s Guide: National Centre
for English teaching and research: Using Functional Grammar. Macquerie
University Publisher.
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