Papers

A Comparative Study of English and Yoruba Languages, as Used in Some Nigerian Court Proceedings

Abstract

This study adopts a pragmatic approach to investigate the intricate linguistic dynamics of English and Yoruba languages in Nigerian court proceedings, with a view to shedding light on the complex interplay between language, power, and justice. Utilizing the Natural Language Processing (NLP) tool, AntConc, this research examines the frequency, context, and pragmatic functions of linguistic features in a corpus of 20 court transcripts (10 English, 10 Yoruba) sourced from federal and state courts in Nigeria. The study provides a comparative analysis of language use patterns, exploring how language choice influences power dynamics, discourse strategies, and ultimately, justice delivery in multilingual courtrooms. The findings reveal significant differences in language use patterns, with English dominating formal proceedings, while Yoruba is strategically employed for emphasis, mitigation, or solidarity-building, particularly in witness testimonies and cross-examinations. The study highlights the complexities of language use in Nigerian courtrooms, where language choice is often a deliberate pragmatic act with significant implications for judicial outcomes. The results underscore the need for language policies that recognize the importance of indigenous languages in judicial processes, ensuring equitable access to justice for linguistically diverse populations. This study contributes to the development of language technologies, informs language-in-law policies, and advances our understanding of language, power, and justice in multilingual societies.

Citation

Oluwasola Abiodun Aina. A Comparative Study of English and Yoruba Languages, as Used in Some Nigerian Court Proceedings. Journal of Arts and Social Sciences Education, 11(1), 65-74.

Keywords

Language-in-law, Nigerian court proceedings, English, Yoruba, pragmatics

Author Details

Oluwasola Abiodun Aina
Department of English and Literary Studies.
Crawford University, Ogun State, Nigeria