Discourse Techniques in Ngozi Chuma-Udeh's Chants of Despair

Abstract

The use of language is a very important aspect when analyzing a given discourse. According to Woods (2006), discourse is language plus context. That is the analysis of a given discourse in a given context to create effective meaning. Discourse analysis looks at how language is used in a given context. This paper looks at the discourse techniques in Chants of Despair. It explores the creative use of language in poetry. The data used in this work was got from Ngozi Chuma-Udeh’s Chants of Despair. A descriptive approach as put forward by Ofoegbu (2022) is employed in this work. This paper also focuses on the creativity in assimilating African proverbs in the lines of the poem. It looks at the deliberate and conscious use of code-mixing to convey salient issues inherent in the present Nigerian society. The placement of words and diction elevates this work to the pedestal of descriptive writing. Finally, the paper x-rays the use of figures of speech and efforts to portray the very innate feelings of the average Nigerian. It can be concluded that the discourse techniques used in this analysis exposes the suffering, poverty and pains of the citizens living in Nigeria.