ABSTRACT

This study explores the intricate relationship between language and identity within the framework of Buchi Emecheta’s novel, “The Joys of Motherhood.” By employing a Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) approach, the research delves into the ways language acts as a conduit for revealing and constructing identities, transcending mere verbal communication to encompass cultural practices such as dress, food, and music. The novel provides a rich tapestry for analysis, presenting a protagonist, Nnu Ego, whose life journey embodies the tensions between traditional values and the encroaching influences of Western culture in colonial Nigeria. Through a meticulous examination of Emecheta’s narrative style, choice of diction, and character interactions, the study seeks to uncover the nuanced ways in which language shapes and reflects individual and collective identities. This investigation is framed within the broader sociolinguistic discourse, considering the historical, social, and cultural contexts that influence language use. The research aims to contribute to the understanding of identity stylization and the role of language in mediating societal transformations. It addresses the gap in linguistic analysis of Emecheta’s work, particularly focusing on the identity aspects revealed through language in “The Joys of Motherhood.” The findings of this study are expected to offer insights into the complex dynamics of language, identity, and cultural change, providing valuable perspectives for scholars in linguistics, literary studies, and related fields.

Keywords: Language, Identity, Culture, Linguistics, Motherhood, Discourse Analysis

CHAPTER ONE

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

1.0 Introduction

           This chapter gives insight into the historical background of language and identity. It presents the background to the study, the research problem, the research question, the aim and objectives, scope, definition of term, and the structure of the work. This leads to the statement of the research problem and its significance to the linguistic field of inquiry. The conceptual framework for the research is introduced, followed by the method for collecting and analyzing the data of the research, together with the chapter outline.

           Language is one of the most significant means of communication that humans have developed. It allows for the transmission of complex ideas and personal expression. Language has virtually innumerable purposes. Though many others also exist, providing information, expressing personal viewpoints, and giving instructions are three noteworthy purposes. There are several different types of languages used in writing. Directive, expressive, and informative language are three of the most significant types.

          Literary language is a style or form of language used in literary writing. Literary purpose is used to entertain, and to give aesthetic pleasures. The focus of the literary purpose is on the words themselves, and on a conscious and deliberate arrangement of the words to produce a pleasing or enriching effect. A writer often expresses a worldview when using the literary purpose. The biggest feature of literary writing is that it is very often based on imagination, ideas and unreal

things. As the name suggests, the language used in literary writing is a rich one. The writer uses rich words, poetic devices and other language enhancing elements to give a written piece, a good taste and appearance. English has been used as a literary language in countries that were formerly part of the British Empire, for instance in India, up to present day, Malaysia in the early 20^th century and Nigeria, where it remains the official language. There are five basic aspects of language that have been studied: phonology, syntax, semantics, morphology, and pragmatics.

            When examining the style of a text, one scrutinizes mainly two aspects: diction the choice of words and syntax (the sentence structure). In order words, one examines which words are used, and how these words are put together. Language analysis explores how authors/writers/speakers convey meaning through specific language analysis techniques, such as figures of speech, word choice, sentence structure, and register or tone. There are a number of levels at which language analysis can be done. These levels are: Phonetics and phonology, the sound system of a language.

            Grammar includes morphology, the analysis of the way words, clauses, phrases and sentences are put together in English. This is sometimes called ‘syntax’. Discourse extendes communication in a range of texts and contexts, and Pragmatics is the way language is used in specific contexts. Tools and techniques for language analysis include consideration of audience, literary purpose, genre, mode, and literary representation. These help readers understand language on its own terms, as well as in literary, social, and geographical contexts. Florence Onyebuchi “Buchi’’, Emecheta born on the 21 July 1944 was a Nigerian born noverlist, based in the UK from 1962, who also wrote plays and an autobiography, as well as works for children. She was the author of more than 20 books, including Second Class Citizen(1974), The Bride Price(1976), The Slave Girl(1977) and The Joys of Motherhood (1979). Most of her novels were published by Allison and Busby, where her editor was Margaret Busby. Emecheta’s themes are of child slavery, motherhood, female independence and freedom through education gained recognition from critics and honours. She once described her stories as ‘’stories of the world, when women face the universal problems of poverty and oppression, and the longer they stay, no matter where they come from originally, the more the problems become identical’’. Her works explore the tension characterized as ‘’the first successful black woman novelist living in Britain after 1948’’.

1.1. Background to the Study

           The novel Joys of Motherhood is the necessity for a woman to be fertile, and, above all, to give birth to sons. It tells the tragic story of Nnu-Ego, daughter of Nwokwocha Agbadi and Ona, who had a bad fate with childbearing. This novel explores the life of a young Nigerian Ibo woman who dreams of living a traditional life as a mother of many children. Through them, she gains the respect of her community. Traditional tribal values and customs begin to shift with increasing colonial presence and influence, pushing Ego to challenge accepted notions of ” mother”, ” wife”, and ”woman”. Instead, she spends her life in Lagos, Nigeria, watching as traditional values are eroded and destroyed by Western influence. The hope she puts in having many children turns out to be misplaced, and her entire life is simply a struggle for survival, with no reward in old age. The protagonist of The Joys of Motherhood, Nnu Ego, is a traditional woman living in a rapidly changing world. The life that she grew up expecting for herself does not come to pass. She expects to become a wife and mother, working hard in her youth for her children in her old age.                             However, her children grow up in the city of Lagos with very different values than she was raised with. Several of her children even move away to Western countries, and feel little obligation toward their mother. Through Nnu Ego’s journey, Emecheta her readers to consider the dilemmas associated with adopting new ideas and practices against the inclination to cleaver to tradition. In this novel, Emecheta reveals and celebrates the pleasures derived from fulfilling responsibilities related to family matters in child bearing, mothering, and nurturing activities among women.

             Some literary critics have argued that Emecheta’s novels, in general, represent the changing scenario where women stand on their own terms for gender equality and oppression in contrast to the images of African women illustrated by African male writers. Several works have been carried out, especially literary assessments, on the creative works of Buchi Emechta in her other novels, most especially Second Class Citizen (Leke, et al, 2011), but very few have been devoted to exclusive linguistic analysis (Emem,2013).We need the biography of Emecheta here, as well as her novels/writings.