TRANSITIVITY ANALYSIS OF THE PROBING EYES BY NWACHUKWUAGBADA

Abstract

This study uses Halliday’s transitivity system to analyse the processes, participants andcircumstances in The Probing Eyes written by Nwachukwu-Agbada. Transitivity systemconsiders language as representation of human experiences of the world orreality. From theanalysis, the study explorescharacters in a text use language to represents the worldinsidehuman beings as well as the world around them. The findings show that material processes hasthe highest percentage of occurrence with (35.56%), to demonstrate that the actors are activeparticipants acting out their world of experiences of what goes in and out of them. Mentalprocess comes second with (31.11%); relational processes (13.33%); behavioral processes(8.89%); verbal processes (8.89%) and lastly is the existential process with (2.22%).. Materialprocess expresses actions and reactions of the participants. Based on the analysis of thetransitivity process, participant and circumstance of the story through the direct method(showing), the result shows that the author does not merely convey the characters based onwhat appears through the behavior of the characters but also penetrates the thoughts, feelings,turmoil and inner conflict as well as the motivation that underlies the behavior of the characters.