Description
ABSTRACT
This study analyses the lexico semantics in the context of Christian sermons using the sermons of Rev. Angela Ashing as a case study. The aim was to examine the lexical characteristics of language in context to establish whether or not the character of English lexis is determined by linguistic context or co-text. It therefore sought to discover whether there is a network of lexis peculiar to sermons: definite words associated with them, specific patterns of association or collocation, and peculiar meaning relations. In doing this, a corpus-computational technique was adopted in which sermons of Rev. Angela Ashing were selected, built into a corpus, then computer processed and compared with a reference corpus of contemporary English, which was chosen as a measure of normality. The results show major differences: Those words that were unusually frequent, and therefore the most significant in the sermons, were found to be unusually infrequent and therefore insignificant in general English, showing that the key lexis of the sermons is different from the key lexis of general English. This finding was strengthened by the differences recorded in the collocation patterns of the words selected for detailed examination in both contexts, and by the variations in their semantic relations.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Language in its complex form has been a guiding tool or a convention structure used to interact or present suggestions and verbal expression of one’s mind. There are vehemently several ways one would and could express his/her ideals and ideas either using sounds, symbols as long as they are accepted as a Language form by those at the receiving end (other speakers and language users).
According to Lyons, Languages are: ‘The principal systems of communication used by particular groups of human beings within the particular society (Linguistic community) of which they are members’. Language, however, as a sole inheritance of humans have been used in so many ways in our society hence the delving of analysis of reputable and upcoming linguists into the analysis of the complexity of language(s).
The study of language, which happens to be the subject matter of linguistics, according to, Siyal and Jindal (2010), entails that “we mark or sub-divide the area in order to study analytically or systematically”. This position is further expanded by Alo (1995:13) as “a complex phenomenon and be studied effectively; it is broken into major levels or areas. Within modern descriptive linguistics, a language is studied from the following angles. “Phonology, grammar lexis and semantics”. Interestingly, stylistics focuses on all the dimensions of language use which are deployed by users of language in various distinctive ways to communicate textual messages to achieve aesthetic effects.
The essence of the view canvassed above is that, Lexis and Semantics are distinctive aspects of language which integrate with other aspects of human communication.
According to Alabi (2008), Lexis is “a genera item used to refer to the vocabulary or diction of language”. The term ‘Lexis’ originated from Greek and became popularized within linguistics circles in the 1960’s. It was used by the British linguists, particularly, for the vocabulary of language especially of its stock of lexemes. Lexis describes the storage of language, in our mental lexicon, as ready-made patterns that can be recalled and sorted into meaningful speech and writing. Lexis as a concept, therefore, has a distinct identity from other traditional levels of linguistic study. This is because it refers to the word stock of a language from which writers and speakers make choices for expression in accordance to their specific purpose and intended meaning.
A writer exploits the vast resources of language which are abundantly provided by lexis for his imaginative creation. To this extent, writers depend on lexical items and their connotations to convey their intended messages as well as achieve aesthetic beauty. Wales (2011) not only supports the above position but also adds that “a language user is free to select features from available resources of language at his/her disposal. This choice is partly conditioned by the demands of genre, form, or theme of discourse.” This position by Wales, explains why writers make lexical choices with such care to achieve the delicate target of fusing words, meaning, and imaginativeness in language use.
It becomes apparent, from the argument above, that the rationale for studying the nature and functioning of the vocabulary of a text is to decode the meaning of the text which is at the very heart of language study and use. The view is supported by Adedimeji (2006), who opines that, “the engine of language is meaning. Without meaning, there is no language. In fact, the essence of language is to generate or convey meaning”. The focus on lexical semantics is significant in the sense that it underpins their functional relationship. The relationship of these two notions (lexis and semantics) were succinctly put by Esan (2015), when he posits that “…lexis and semantics are so intricately linked to each other that they cannot be separated in the description of texts”.
In spite of the fact, that lexical semantics is very critical to language analysis, it is, however, imperative to underscore the fact, that lexical choices become meaningful only in concrete or pragmatic situations or contexts. This is one of the cardinal areas of emphasis of the Hallidayan Systemic Functional Grammar, which we have adopted for this study.
This paper, therefore, explores the strategic importance and relevance of Lexico-Semantic elements to the overall understanding and interpretation of the linguistic style of the sermons of Rev. Angela Ashing.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
The language of religion, like every other field of discipline, have registers of their own; very often they do not follow the grammar or logical rules of the everyday language. They are a kind of language that function and familiarize with the contexts in which they are used. Religion has kinds of languages peculiar to them such that the linguistic features employed help to identify the field that such language use belong. Hence, the choice of language affects the way messages are composed and conveyed. This study, therefore, examines and compares the language of religion in order to solve the problem of meaning in the language use.
1.3 AIMS OF THE STUDY
The major aim of the study was to describe lexical characteristics of English in the context of Christian sermons of Rev. Angela Ashing.
1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The beauty of language and its utilitarian functions deserves attention that is why the study takes an evaluative assessment of the lexical and semantic features of the language of religion. It examines compares and contrasts distinctive linguistic features of the two fields of discipline and the nature of language they employ. Considering how elaborate and relevant this discourse is, it is believed that this study will certainly aid students to appreciate those peculiar lexical and semantic features that characterize the language of religion. Also, it would enhance scholarship as it would be a valuable contribution to the study of English for Specific Purposes (ESP). In addition, it unravels the distinction between language use in religion ultimately, serves as a reference material to researchers in this area.
1.5 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
In this study we examined the lexico-semantic features of language of religion. The study used relevant data from these two disciplines to show the lexical complexities and semantic inconsistencies or difficulties. Through this study, it has been discovered that both the language of religion. examine the lexical characteristics of language in context to establish whether or not the character of English lexis is determined by linguistic context or co-text. It therefore sought to discover whether there is a network of lexis peculiar to sermons: definite words associated with them, specific patterns of association or collocation, and peculiar meaning relations.
1.6 RESEARCH QUESTION
1: Is there lexis specific to the sermons?
2: Does such lexis exhibit specific patterns?
3: What are the semantic relations of words in the sermons?
1.7 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
In the course of carrying this study, numerous sources were used which most of them are by visiting libraries, consulting journal and news papers and online research which Google was the major source that was used.
1.8 LIMITATION OF STUDY
As we all know that no human effort to achieve a set of goals goes without difficulties, certain constraints were encountered in the course of carrying out this project and they are as follows:-
- Difficulty in information collection: I found it too difficult in laying hands of useful information regarding this work and this course me to visit different libraries and internet for solution.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet).
Time Constraint: The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work.
1.9 PROJECT ORGANISATION
The work is organized as follows: chapter one discuses the introductory part of the work, chapter two presents the literature review of the study, chapter three describes the methods applied, chapter four discusses the results of the work, chapter five summarizes the research outcomes and the recommendations.
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