STYLISTIC STUDY OF THE LANGUAGE OF TIV CULT DISCOURSE: A CASE STUDY OF ISHOR I KPEHEN AND WUHE KURAN

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Author

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Department of Arts

ABSTRACT
There are several complexities associated with the language used in Tiv cults that differentiate its language form from the conventional Tiv language. These complexities cut across vocabulary, sentence construction and the style in language use. This study therefore examines the language use in Tiv cult discourse with special interest on ishor i kpehen and wuhe kuran cults. The main sources of data for the study were primary sources which were obtained from oral interview and field observations. The primary data were transcribed with the aid of an expert in Tiv Language into English. The results of the finding show that the concept of divination among the Tiv is a sacred phenomenon and the vocabulary used in ishor i kpehen (consultation) is formal, simple and employs the use of less verbs, adjectives and adverbs but, with archaisms and active constructions while the vocabulary used in wuhe kuran (deliverance from ill-luck) is very formal, complex and characterized by archaisms and passive constructions. The results of the finding also show that the diviners (orsho and orkuran wuhe) employed several stylistic devices to manipulate words in the process of divination. The study shows that the language used in these Tiv cults is entirely different from that which is used in the conventional Tiv language. The results also show that the phonology of the two cults discourse is different from the conventional Tiv language and the use of this language is fast dying with the advent of civilization. The study shows the use of stylistics in Tiv cult discourse as stimulus from the diviners by manipulation of speech to totally change the psychological belief of the audience without question, but with satisfactory contextual belief that is achieve through words. The study shows that the language of Tiv cults has influence on the Tiv culture and belief system. The study therefore concludes that the language used in cult discourse is not meant for ordinary information; it is used to persuade the clients to accept the supernatural powers of the diviners and totally convince the clients to be submissive to the diviner‘s ideas.