An Analysis of Assertive Speech Acts in Post Handshake Speeches of President Uhuru Kenyatta and the Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga in Kenya

Authors : Patrick Kioko Kimenye ; Dr. Anashia Nancy Ong’onda ; Dr. Vifu Makoti

DOI : doi.org/10.47752/sjell.44.98.105

Abstract:
Verbal communication through speech acts allows human beings to interact within the society. However, the goal of communication is only met if the speaker and listener understand one another. This research aims to analyze assertive illocutionary speech acts in post handshake speeches of President Uhuru Kenyatta and the former Prime Minister Raila Odinga in Kenya. The research applied the Speech Act theory by Austin (1962) and Searle (1969) since the goal of communication through language is constrained by Speech Acts. The research was anchored on a descriptive research design. Data was collected from recorded speeches on you-tube through checklists. The sample size consisted of 20 selected speeches that were sampled through downsizing sampling techniques. Through descriptive quantitative analysis 125 assertive utterances were revealed. The analysis reveals that both President Uhuru Kenyatta (52%) and Former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga used assertives in their post handshake speeches (48%). In both speeches asserting was the most dominant act (33%) uttered by both President Uhuru Kenyatta and former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga. Other acts included reporting (23%), explaining (22%), showing something (12%) and suggesting (10%). The findings also show the use of language in political speeches aims at achieving a certain communicative intent such as persuasion. The study recommends that the government, policy makers, and stakeholders should always pay close attention to the political leaders’ language use in regard to a key subject such as peace, nationhood and unity. This is because the politicians may misinterpret any ideology and political intentions in illocutionary acts that it being sold to masses.

Administrators’ Leadership Management Practice and Lecturers’job Involvement in Colleges of Education in North East Zone of Nigeria for School Improvement

Authors : Grema Ali Dapshima

DOI : doi.org/10.47752/sjell.44.92.97

Abstract:
This study examined administrators’ leadership management practice and lecturers’ job involvement in Colleges of Education in North East Zone of Nigeria for school improvement. One research question and one null hypothesis guided the study. A correlational survey research design was employed for the study, covering an accessible population of 3,001 that comprising of 376 administrators and 2,625 lecturers. The sample size of the study was 497 made up of 202 administrators and 295 lecturers using the multistage sampling procedure: stratified, purposive and simple random sampling techniques. The instruments used for the study were Questionnaire developed by the researcher titled: Administrators Leadership Management Practice Questionnaire (ALMPQ) and Lecturers Job Involvement Questionnaire (LJIQ) for administrators and lecturers. The reliability of the research instruments was determined using Cronbach Alpha. The Cronbach Alpha reliability coefficient of the instruments was established as r = 0.90 and r = 0.86 respectively. The data were analyzed using Mean, Standard Deviation and Pearson Product Moment Correlation Statistics (PPMCS). The study revealed that there was administrators’ leadership management practice which was moderately effective in Colleges of Education in North East Zone of Nigeria, with a Grand Mean of 3.26. The study revealed a significant moderate positive relationship between administrators’ leadership management practice and lecturers’ job involvement in Colleges of Education in North East Zone of Nigeria (r = 0.52, p < 0.05).  Based on the finding, it was recommended that Government should monitor the activities of the Colleges of Education to improve administrators’ leadership management practice and lecturers’ job involvement in Colleges of Education in North East Zone of Nigeria for school improvement.