THE USE OF RHETORICS IN ORATORY: THE IGBO EXAMPLE

Uche Janet Ogbalu

Abstract


Rhetoric(s) is the art that makes greater use of traditional devices such as figures of speech as well as the miniature forms to improve the capability of writers or speakers that attempt to inform, persuade or motivate particular audience in specific situation. Rhetoric is found in all the languages of the world. This is to say that every language has a way or an art of using certain elements or tools in the language to beautify and heighten the effectiveness of the language on the listeners. Rhetoric(s) is inborn for the owners of the language. No language borrowed the art from the other language. In ancient Greece, the earliest mention of oratorical skill occurs in Homer’s Illiad of 17th century. Here Achile’s and Hektor were honoured for using their oratorical skills to extort their peers and followers in wise and appropriate action. With the rise of Democracy, public speaking skill was adopted to the needs of public and political life of cities of ancient Greece. This was revolved around the use of oratory. Mbah and Mbah (2007:168) acknowledge “the art of oratory is highly valued in the world where every man thrives to appeal or own for himself a heritage of spokesmanship.†In like manner, Igbo people of Nigeria, being one of the ethnic groups in the world equally placed high emphasis on the use of rhetoric(s) and the production of orators. From Shaw (1977:104), one can say that rhetoric(s) and orators dates back to 5000B.C when Igbo people started living more settled life. From this assertion, one can proudly say that what is happening to other languages of the world is also happening to Igbo language. The Igbo people value rhetorics and orators soon after they started living a more settled life.

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