A Pragmatic Analysis of the Song This is Nigeria By Falz

Abstract

This research on a pragmatic analysis of the song This is Nigeria by Falz aims at investigating the relationship between the language used in the song, speaker, context and the influence of the language used.  Several research works had been carried out on the pragmatics analysis of different songs. However, this research aims at how situational language use point out the state of the government and the governed examine the intention of Falz behind This is Nigeria and determine the impact of the pattern of language use in relation to Nigerians situation. The data include videos of the songs from downnloaded from the youtube search engine, the lyrics of the song were reduced into writing, capturing the words and action where possible. The data were subjected to descriptive analysis employing Beaugrande (1981) parameters of discourse analysis which are cohesion, coherence, situationality, informative and acceptability. The data were further described using the tripartite approaches of speech act theory, ethnography of communication model and constantive and performative approaches. The implication of the style of the author was discussed based on humour and accommodation theory.  The findings of the research shows that Falz is able to achieve the target of his intent for producing the song This is Nigeria, reaching to both the literate and illiterate, young and adult, male and Female, laymen and clergy, the rulers and the ruled, the most intelligent mind and the least intelligent mind through his content, choice of style and linguistic code.