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Research Article
Daddy's Yes-Man and Muslim-Muslim Ticket: Analysing Religious Rhetoric in the 2023 Nigerian General Elections
Joseph Olusegun Adebayo*
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 1, March 2025
Pages:
1-11
Received:
14 December 2024
Accepted:
26 December 2024
Published:
17 January 2025
DOI:
10.11648/j.cls.20251101.11
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Abstract: The 2023 general election in Nigeria was among the nation’s fiercest in recent history. The dynamics were different from past elections. For example, it was the first time since 2003 that Muhammadu Buhari, a cult-like figure in Northern Nigeria, was not on the ballot box. Buhari consistently garnered between eight and twelve million votes in every election he participated in, so his absence opened up votes, especially from northern Nigeria, for all the leading presidential aspirants. Also, it was the first time since 1993 that candidates with the same religious faith ran on a joint ticket. Historically, there has been an unwritten agreement that elective positions rotate between North and South, as well as between Christians and Muslims. Thus, somewhat expectedly, the All Progressives Congress’ joint ticket of Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kashim Shettima, both Muslims, led to the emergence of the “Muslim-Muslim Ticket” phenomenon and the pervasive use of religious rhetoric as never before experienced in Nigerian elections. The study adopts a multidisciplinary approach to examine the strategies and rhetoric employed by politicians to leverage religious and ethnic identities in the 2023 general elections. Media discourses, political speeches and voter sentiments were analysed to determine the intricate interplay between religion, politics and identity, and how they shaped electoral behaviour and outcomes in the 2023 general elections. Given Nigeria’s religious and sociopolitical secularity and plurality, the findings reveal the complexities inherent in manipulating religious sentiments for political purposes and how it impacts democracy, unity and social cohesion.
Abstract: The 2023 general election in Nigeria was among the nation’s fiercest in recent history. The dynamics were different from past elections. For example, it was the first time since 2003 that Muhammadu Buhari, a cult-like figure in Northern Nigeria, was not on the ballot box. Buhari consistently garnered between eight and twelve million votes in every ...
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Research Article
Representations of Moore in the City of Ouagadougou
Wendlamita Charles Ilboudo,
Tiga Alain Ouedraogo*
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 1, March 2025
Pages:
12-19
Received:
9 December 2024
Accepted:
24 December 2024
Published:
21 January 2025
DOI:
10.11648/j.cls.20251101.12
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Abstract: The capital, Ouagadougou, is an economic hub and therefore a major attraction for several ethnic groups whose members come there to seek employment and to live. Ouagadougou is home to all language communities. She rubs shoulders with natives who speak Moore, which is the majority language. But more and more with schooling, the Moore language no longer enjoys the same consideration as it once did. Moore would be in a situation of linguistic insecurity. Our work is part of urban sociolinguistics as advocated by CALVET. As a methodology, we used documentary research and data collection based on a questionnaire, interviews and observations. We arrived at the following results: Moore is strongly influenced by French; the competence of educated Moorephone speakers is declining in favor of French; the moore has no socio-economic advantage; he finds himself in a situation of diglossia with French, which is an international language and the language of social advancement. Our study shows that the Moore language is devalued in the city of Ouagadougou. For Moore speakers, Moore is limited in relation to their expectations. French has the advantage of being international and as an official language it solves the problem of mutual understanding in the city of Ouagadougou.
Abstract: The capital, Ouagadougou, is an economic hub and therefore a major attraction for several ethnic groups whose members come there to seek employment and to live. Ouagadougou is home to all language communities. She rubs shoulders with natives who speak Moore, which is the majority language. But more and more with schooling, the Moore language no lon...
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Research Article
The Generative Study of Chinese Separable Words
Shilong Wang*
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 1, March 2025
Pages:
20-30
Received:
9 February 2025
Accepted:
20 February 2025
Published:
6 March 2025
DOI:
10.11648/j.cls.20251101.13
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Abstract: Chinese Separable Words have triggered heated debates in the past research. Different linguists have put forward with different definitions, properties, and defining criteria from different points of view. The separated form and the combined form of separable words are analyzed in this article, with a focus on the generating process. With the aim of offering a unified explanation of the generating process, we propose that the syntactic process of Chinese separable words, being the merge of phrases rather than head merge, is similar to the one in the noun incorporation structure of some dialects in north America. The noun element is usually a clitic morpheme, and cannot be used alone, which means that it needs to be combined with verbs or modifiers. In the generating process under the guidance of phase theory, the nominal lexicon in the structure first generates nP, dP or NP, and then merges with V to generate VP. This analysis can explain the process of elements insertion and the clitic property of the noun. The separated structure depends on the insertion of some modifiers, which can be aspect markers, adjectives, possessors or quantity expressions. With insertion, the verb and the noun are separated, thus the structure of separated form being separated; and without insertion, the structure of combined form is combined.
Abstract: Chinese Separable Words have triggered heated debates in the past research. Different linguists have put forward with different definitions, properties, and defining criteria from different points of view. The separated form and the combined form of separable words are analyzed in this article, with a focus on the generating process. With the aim o...
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Research Article
Linguistic Diversity in the Tanzanian 2020 General Elections: Experience from Nyamagana and Misungwi Districts
Kasara Belias Ngoboka,
Eustard Rutalemwa Tibategeza,
Nasibu Musa Kalokola*
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 1, March 2025
Pages:
31-41
Received:
23 January 2025
Accepted:
8 February 2025
Published:
11 March 2025
DOI:
10.11648/j.cls.20251101.14
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Abstract: Globally, multilingual societies face significant linguistic challenges. In these societies, one language often enjoys linguistic freedom and dominance, while indigenous languages and their speakers experience the agony of marginalization. In some communities, indigenous languages seem to be increasingly out of use. In this context, this paper examined linguistic diversity in Tanzania. Linguistic diversity poses significant challenges to equitable voter engagement in Tanzania's electoral processes. This study explores how language impacted the 2020 General Election, focusing on the roles, challenges, and implications of linguistic diversity. Data were collected through interviews, focus group discussions, and documentary reviews conducted in Nyamagana and Misungwi districts. The findings reveal that while Kiswahili served as a unifying language during the election, its dominance marginalized indigenous language speakers, particularly in rural areas where limited Kiswahili proficiency hindered access to critical electoral information. Respondents emphasised the need for linguistic inclusivity to ensure equitable representation and engagement. The study concludes that integrating indigenous languages alongside Kiswahili in electoral communication would bridge communication gaps, enhance voter engagement, and strengthen the democratic process by making it more accessible to Tanzania's diverse linguistic communities.
Abstract: Globally, multilingual societies face significant linguistic challenges. In these societies, one language often enjoys linguistic freedom and dominance, while indigenous languages and their speakers experience the agony of marginalization. In some communities, indigenous languages seem to be increasingly out of use. In this context, this paper exam...
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