Using Hallidayan systemic functional linguistic approach to analyse the linguistic gyration of royal speeches in Ghana

Abstract

This paper investigates the relationship that exists in the linguistic gyration of the annual speeches delivered by Otumfo Osei Tutu and Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panyin, who are both paramount Ghanaian royal chiefs of the Ashanti Kingdom and the Akyem Abuakwa Kingdom respectively. Although these prominent chiefs have delivered several speeches on several times and occasions and at different places and settings, this study paid particular attention to and selected only speeches that they delivered in academic environments, specifically, in universities in Ghana. These annual speeches used for the study were therefore those that were delivered at the University of Professional Studies and University of Education, Winneba campuses respectively. The analysis of the data was done based on the Hallidayan’s Systemic Functional Linguistic approach. The analysis reveals the incorporation of the ideology and power in the language of the royal speeches of the two paramount chiefs in Ghana and its influence on the university administrations and communities. Subsequently, the modality metafunction showed that the chiefs selected modal verbs to affirm and fulfill the tasks given them. From the data, it is evident that the traditional rulers can use language to communicate their strength, capabilities on the political administration and education spheres on the university communities.