Style, Personality, And the Nature of Communication for a Democratic Situation in Nigeria: A Linguistic Analysis of Governor Nyesom Wike’s 2015 Inaugural Speech

Abstract

This research is coneemed with analysing an inaugural speech of a Nigerian personality  - Govemor Wike of Rivers State. Using Hallidays systemic functional linguistics, the study demonstrates how the general character of a man and situation determine the manner and technique of language usage as. represented in the speech. The governor's inaugural address of 29th  May, 2015 is analysed with particular attention to the use of words and sentences, with a number of rhetorical devices that may be seen as a source of embellishment for ecstatic satisfaction, which define the style of the speaker. And the language of the entire discourse is full of derogatory comments with the speaker's obvious intention of castigating and humiliating his predecessor, and as well inciting the citizenry of the state against him. This undoubtedly exposes the person of the govemor. The study has, therefore, practically demonstrated how a style of communication reveals the personality of an individual. The other aspect of the study is that linguistic style is not just a product of a man's character, but also of   context and situation. The choice of words and expressions are actually determined by where a man stands to talk and the category of people he addresses as well as the hour which defines the circumstances that allow for the production of particular utterances, Even as he writes, the subject of discussion and audience usually determine his selection of words and general expressions.