TEXTUALITY AS A VERITABLE TOOL OF MEANING IN NIYI OSUNDARE’S “THE POLITICIAN’S TWO MOUTHS”

Abstract

The textual function of a language is no doubt significant in the production of a logical and cohesive piece of discourse that constitute text as a poetic work.  The textual function is concerned with the creation of text in a discourse. It implies a speaker’s or writer’s ability to organise a text into meaningful discourse. In the analysis of data for the study, Halliday’s (1996) textual metafunction is deployed to examine Niyi Osundare’s “The Politician’s Two Mouths” for the purpose of determining the significant contribution of  this linguistic tool to the interpretation and understanding of the poem. The employment of textuality as a veritable tool for analysis explores Osundare’s adamant rejection of a corrupt political system which has been the bane of democratic stability and socio-economic and political development in Nigeria. Findings show that a Hallidayian linguistic approach to the study of a literary work is capable of contributing to the meaning and understanding of poetic discourse. It further reveals the significance of the approach to appreciating the endemic political corruption and socio-economic problems as the major obstacle to the achievement of sustainable development goal in Nigeria. The paper concludes by emphasising the need for the citizens and the political class to embrace an attitudinal change as well the political will that will make the nation attain good governance and democratic stability.