A Critical Discourse Analysis of Language in Ghanaian Newspaper Editorials

Abstract

The study explores the linguistic devices, approaches and styles in media discourse that are used to stake claims to knowledge, to influence attitudes and to promote critical thinking, among other functional roles of language. The study was equally interested in knowing the outcomes of the choice of these linguistic devices as far as communication is concerned. Linguistic devices such as modality, evaluative adjectives, adverbs, generic phrases, rhetoric and idioms among others, are used to state opinions, make predictions and influence attitudes. The study hypothesises that the study of language can be used in particular ways, so intended by the user, to achieve specific purposes. Eight different newspapers: The Daily Graphic, The Ghanaian Times, The Mirror, The Crusading Guide, The Insight, The Independent, The Catholic Standard and The Daily Guide, editorial excerpts were culled and used for the study of language use in newspaper editorials. The styles used and the reasons behind the choice of those devices and styles are closely looked at in the analysis. With Systemic Functional Linguistics, complemented with Van-Dijk’s theory of Media Discourse as models of analysis, the study is theoretically anchored. The study concludes that editorial writers use linguistic devices to express different shades of attitude and opinion, to influence, shape or re-shape their readers’ attitudes and to promote critical thinking of readers. Keywords: Linguistic Devices, Media Discourse, Communication, Language, Styles.

Modal Auxiliaries in Selected Newspaper Editorials on Medical Brain Drain in Nigeria

“…[4] And as a matter of urgency, African leaders must instill confidence in and show willingness to improve healthcare services by enunciating necessary health laws that are capable of increasing funding for the sector and ensuring that the funds are properly managed. (The Guardian, 18 May 2018) [5] The Federal and State Governments must do something urgently to stem the ugly tide of doctors' exodus. (The Sun, 6 October 2019) [6] Besides substantially increasing the funding of Nigeria's health care delivery system, remunerations must also be improved upon by government.…”

“…The newspaper posits that these could be achieved through the articulation of laws that would enable adequate funding for the sector and by securing judicious management of the funds. In [5], The Sun through the modal must opines that curbing the negative trend of doctors' exodus is achievable if the two foremost tiers of government would take exigent actions. The use of the modal auxiliary in [6] accentuates the necessity of increasing the salaries and emoluments of workers in the health sector in addition to a significant increase in the funds allocated to the nation's health care delivery system.…”