Multimodal Discourse Analysis of Nigerian Currency Notes
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Date
2017-12
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English Language Unit, Department of Educational Foundations and General Studies, University of Agriculture, Makurdi
Abstract
Currency as a generally accepted form of money is a legal tender that serves as an individual’s “life support” and gives access to necessities of life. In most parts of the world, the presentation of notes and coins in exchange for goods and services forms the basis of communication between and amongst wide range of users. To a large extent, the Nigerian naira currencies are imbued with non-verbal cues such as symbols, graphics, images, text, colour and other super-imposed inter-related elements of composite language which provides various forms of meaning potentials. Apparently, the sole study of language via syntax cannot achieve the requirements of a comprehensive interpretation of the meaning of the expression in the various modes. Hence, this paper leans on multimodal discourse analysis as a theoretical basis and method of analysis by borrowing insights from Kress and van Leeuwen’s (1996/2006) social semiotic visual framework and Barthes (1977) concept of anchorage and relay to analyse Nigerian currency notes with the aim of unraveling the imports of multimodality borne by the currency notes to project meaning. Eight (8) Nigerian currency notes currently in circulation are identified and analysed qualitatively. It is observed that the currencies express the ideology of unity, socio-cultural identity, patriotism and nationism. The paper concludes that complementary meanings are distributed in the visual and verbal contents of the notes and are purportedly produced in both convergent and divergent forms.
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Keywords
MDA, Nigeria, anchorage and relay, currency notes
Citation
Nurudeen, M. A. & Durosinmi, M. O. (2017). Multimodal discourse Analysis of Nigerian Currency Notes. Journal of Communicative English. 17(68-82), English Language unit, University of Agriculture, Makurdi.