IJLLC | A Functional Stylistic Analysis of Selected OduÌ€ in IfaÌ Corpus

Indexing and Abstracting

A Functional Stylistic Analysis of Selected OduÌ€ in IfaÌ Corpus

Samuel Kayode Olaleye

International Journal of Language, Literature and Culture (IJLLC), Vol-1,Issue-3, November - December 2021, Pages 10-24, 10.22161/ijllc.1.3.2

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Article Info: Received: 02 Nov 2021, Received in revised form: 03 Dec 2021, Accepted: 15 Dec 2021, Available online: 30 Dec 2021

Abstract:

The paper seeks to examine the linguistic aesthetics of the language of IfaÌ as understood in YoruÌ€baÌ tradition.IfaÌ, a storehouse or infinite source of knowledge cuts across every aspect of knowledge:science, technology andhumanities including language. In Africa, particularly among the YoruÌ€baÌ, IfaÌ is the most potent means of knowing the future. However, modernity, western education and foreign religions have led to its neglect thereby creating a vacuum for its development. But IfaÌ is a universal language spoken by every BabalaÌwo- IfaÌ priests around the world. Therefore, whenever and wherever divination takes place the language of IfaÌ is spoken.This makes every BabalaÌwo functional when it comes to disseminating IfaÌ messages which include proverbs, riddles, jokes, incantations, rituals, IÌ€yeÌ€Ì£reÌ€Ì£ IfaÌ and so on. It is on this note that we tried to examine language used in IfaÌ corpus and its importance. The researchhinged essentially on the data collected through rapid research method in some cities in Yorubaland in south western Nigeria through phoneand quick in-depth interview that was held among twenty Babalawo- IfaÌ priests who are highly experienced in the act of divination. Information gathered was content analysed. The study submits thatif only the Yoruba/African children are educated through the language derived from IfaÌ and not through western system of education, African continent would have highly moral and philosophical youths capable of taking up any course of study, have a sane society where we can be our brotherâ€™s keepers at the same time be a master communicators. African should wake up to the challenge of updating, unify and strengthen its cultural sphere with its Original African intellectual framework across Africa.

Keywords:

Analysis, BabalaÌwo- IfaÌ Priests,IfaÌ Corpus, OduÌ€, Stylistic YoruÌ€baÌland.

References:

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