An Analysis of Yoruba Covid-19 Jingles on Selected Nigerian Radio Stations

Abstract

Covid-19 is a health crisis that posits great challenges to all aspects of human life. Extant studies on the crisis situations are mainly from the religious, social, economic, health and psychological perspectives with little attention paid to the language or the linguistic resource which is the main instrument and vehicle in communicating the information and updates on the deadly Covid-19 currently ravaging the whole world to people. The study, therefore, undertakes analysis on Jingles centered on the pandemic situation. It specifically uses a modified version of John Seale’s (1969). Speech Acts theory to analyse Yoruba Jingles collected between March 2020 and June 2020 from three Radio Stations in the Southwestern part of Nigeria. The Jingles which are transcribed and translated from Yoruba into English are analysed both qualitatively and quantitatively. The findings revealed the forms and functions of different Speech Acts performed in terms of directing, advising, informing, persuading and encouraging listeners to take particular safety actions/precautions during the pandemic as well as other speech acts employed in appealing to the emotions of the listeners through local dialects. The paper argues that language use in health reporting during pandemic was sensitive as a misuse of it have triggered or escalated the already tensed situation. It recommends that health media practitioners and health experts be trained on appropriate language selections and word choices for effective communication.