Culturalism and Religious fundamentalism: Lexicalisation of counter-ideologies on same-sex sexualities in selected Nigerian newspapers

Abstract

Against the backdrop of cultural conservatism and legal restrictions on same-sex relationships, this study examines how language use foregrounds cultural and religious ideologies surrounding same-sex sexualities as depicted in selected Nigerian newspapers. Drawing on Fairclough’s approach to critical discourse analysis (CDA), the study explores how language is used to construct, represent, and perpetuate specific ideologies regarding same-sex sexualities within the Nigerian context. A total of 50 opinion articles on same-sex sexualities were randomly sampled from five purposively selected Nigerian newspapers (Vanguard, The Punch, The Guardian, Nigerian Tribune and The Sun). The newspapers were selected based on their preponderant coverage of the discourses on same-sex sexualities between 2013 and 2015. Data were subjected to critical discourse analysis. Findings reveal that different lexical strategies, such as lexical relations, repetition, negative evaluative adjectives foreground pro- and anti-culturalist ideologies as well as religious fundamentalism and secularism. The study reveals the conflicting ideologies surrounding same-sex sexualities in the Nigerian context.