Education
Expert Advises Linguists, Language Analysts On MCP Theory
Linguists and language analysts as well as the populace have been advised to use Multimodal Critical Pragmatics (MCP) Theory and the Multimodal CPrag3SD, a multi-functional model for analysing meaning in all natural languages.
A Professor of Pragmatics in Communication at the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Prof Ebiere Ken-Maduako made the call last Thursday,while delivering his inaugural lecture at the 39th Inaugural lecture series of the University in Port Harcourt.
Ken-Maduako,who emphasised the need for users of words to consider the contextual and conceptual meanings to the choice of words used, so as to avoid being misunderstood as well as mis-interpreted .
“Having been given topics by my lecturer, on the title: ‘meaning of meaning’, after doing much research and understanding cleared, meaning became an intrigue. I seek and find meaning and different dimensions of meaning in everything I see, conversation I listened to, and activities that I observe, I read people’s body language effortlessly and I just seem to hear the “unsaid said” in every speech encounter.”
The Guest Inaugural Lecturer, stressed on what meaning is and how it should be applied in communications, adding that there were various forms of communication which includes verbal; non-verbal; written and visual as modes of expression with different forms of languages.
In her view on semantics, Ken-Maduako argued that it is a branch of linguistics that is concerned with the scientific study of the meaning of words in a natural language, but lacks an in-depth expression of the meaning, while the pragmatic is the practical aspect of meaning and considers the engagement of context in meaning, interpretation or ultilisation of human language in social interactions.
She explained that humans and natural signs have different connotations such as “yawning”, which could mean sign of tiredness or hunger and “don’t be silly,” which could mean an advice to a child or close friend and an insult to an elder or distant person.
She revealed that literal semantic theory cannot adequately provide interpretation to the meaning of expressions in any natural language, while Multimodal Critical Pragmatics Theory and Multimodal as a multi-functional model for analysing meaning in all natural language.
On the topic: ‘Meaning And The Linguist’, the Inaugural Lecturer, Ken-Maduako stated that words have been used differently to mean different things.
She cited a scenario where the Bible says: “If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you… Matthew 5:30 also in another scenario where drivers are held up in heavy traffic and they are looking for any possible opening to pass through, saying that words you hearing from them are: “ Madam, Oga, cut your hand to the left;” Oga na trailer you dey drive? ; Madam you no go cut your hand comot there or go your right? Which kind wahala be dis?; Abeg cut your hand comot there make I pass, concluding by asking if all the instances of the use of words above really mean to literally cut off one’s hand? No, but conceptually, the word cut, meant to leave the place, adding that in the above contexts, “cut” must have another connotative meaning different from it’s conceptual meaning,” The Prof added.
She conclude that the notion of meaning has been explored different levels, fields and contexts.
The multifarious nature of meaning highlighted immensely revealing how exceptionally ill-assorted it can be, emphasising that human language and the experiences of humans are so complex and multifaceted that a literal semantic theory cannot adequately provide interpretations to the meaning of expressions in any natural language.
The inaugural lecture thus proposed that the Multimodal Critical Pragmatics (MCP) Theory and Multimodal CPrag3SD as a multi-functional model for analysing meaning in all natural languages.
“This model has also been used in this Inaugural Lecture to foreground it’s efficacy in analysing language because it’s squeezes out the tiniest juice from the expressions under study.
She implored linguists as well as language users world wide to explore the multifunctionalism of MCP in their upcoming research and analysis of oral and written language.
“If you say this is the meaning of this, you may not be completely correct because in that context that may be the meaning of that word, but if you take it out if that context and put it to another context, you will see that it might mean something entirely different to you.
“If I say you are a fool for doing that, I am simply telling you that you have done something wrong, so in this context, it can be seen as counsel. The Speech Acts might not be to accuse you, it might be to counsel you, to open your eyes to what you have to see may be you should have done something different.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Acting Vice Chancellor, I AUE, Prof Okey Onuchuku described academic research as relevant tool that profers solutions to problems for a better solution as well as promote innovation fir a better society.
Prof. Onuchuku commended the inaugural lecturer, Prof Ibiere Ken-Maduako for sharing her professional experience on the topic, adding that the lecture will go a long way to better the society.
“ Professor Ken-Maduako has fully presented her work with in-depth analysis of the word meaning, remarking many now have a better understanding on Semantics, Pragmatics as well as the models to be used in analysing word meaning.”
Onuchuku added that knowledge gained from the lecture will go a long way to solve problems as well create space for further research, while enjoining the university Don not to relent in her academic research so as to engender a better society.
“Inagural lecture is what actually brings out a lecturer to explain what he/she has been professing and as witnessed today, the Inaugural lecturer has really explained what she has been professing over the years. If you check out on the reference aspect of her book presentation, you will see that there are several publications that she has done and most of her speeches were drawn from there.
“She is an example of a scholar that is serious, that knows what she is doing as she excellently delivered the Inaugural lecture today.
By: Susan Serekara-Nwikhana
The Executive Chairman of the Rivers State Universal Basic Education Board, Alabo David Briggs and his Post Primary Schools Board, counterpart, Dr. Sam Emejuru recently embarked on a joint visit to Model Girls Secondary School, Mbodo Aluu in Ikwerre Local Government Arera of Rivers State.
Speaking to newsmen shortly after interacting with the students, Alabo Briggs said both of them were in the school to know how the students are faring, how happy they are, and to also know their areas of need and then take pragmatic decisions that would enhance the wellbeing of the students.
Describing the school as the only boarding school in Rivers State made up of Senior and Junior Secondary, the UBE boss said the visit has actually afforded them the opportunity to know what is lacking in the school, and promised that every machinery would be adequately put in place to ensure that the school is made more attractive and students well taken care of.
He further maintained that the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) and staff of the school must rise to the occasion so as to bring back the lost glory of the school and ensure that the students are treated and well handled like their own children.
Corroborating the UBE boss, Dr. Sam Emejuru of the Post Primary School promised that everything possible would be done to reposition the school, and appealed to all concerned to be patient.
During the visit, the two Board chairmen and their members met with the school authorities wherein issues bordering on the school were discreetly ironed out and some good changes made.
Alabo Briggs also gave cash to some of the students that performed well in the essay competition that took place in Port Harcourt.
The students were also given cartons of sanitary pads to mark the International Day of the Girl Child which was celebrated all over the world recently.
By: Akujobi Amadi
The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) support programme on report writing for Chief Supervisors and Evaluators of the Local Government Areas took place recently at the UBE Board Headquarters in Port Harcourt.
Addressing the participants, the Board member in charge of Supervision/Monitoring, Chief Nwuke Anucha, described the programme as very interesting and educative as it is aimed at broadening the knowledge of the Chief Supervisors and Evaluators on report writing.
While thanking UBEC for the initiative, Chief Anucha also commended the resource persons who came from UBEC Abuja for doing a good job and appealed to the participants to see the support programme on report writing as an opportunity to do better.
Also speaking, the Board member, Project/Technical, Dr. Walson Ominini described the programme as a good one that all the participants must take seriously for the good of Rivers State.
Ominini used the medium to announce the personnel audit for staff of the Local Government Education Authorities in the three Senatorial zones coming up next week at the Board Headquarters adding that any staff of the LGEA who does not take part in the Audit should regard himself or herself as not being a staff of UBE.
In her vote of thanks, the Director, Quality Assurance, Mrs. Nnenna Osumenya thanked UBEC for the programme, and described it as a welcomed development.
She particularly thanked the Executive Chairman of the Board, Alabo David Briggs and the Board members for giving the programme the needed attention.
By: Akujobi Amadi
In cognizance of the value of reading in educational, career and knowledge pursuits, TotalEnergies Joint Venture(JV) Asset has committed itself to instilling the habit in students of secondary schools to enable them succeed in their academic pursuits and become good leaders of tommorow.
This, it is achieving through its Annual Book Reading and Open Day programme.
This year’s event, organised for Senior Secondary Schools in Rivers State,with the theme, ‘The World Is A Maze; Navigate It — Read’ and held at the Event Centre, TotalEnergies Office, PortHarcourt, explored the book, ‘Unexpected Joy At Dawn’ by Ghanaian author, Alex Agyei Agyiri.
Participating schools chosen across Port Harcourt included Government Technical College, PortHarcourt; Bishop Crowther Memorial Secondary School, Rumuobiakani; Oginigba Comprehensive Secondary School; Community Secondary School, Rumuomasi, and Hilltop Prime International College.
Others were Community Secondary School, Amadi-Ama; Government Senior Secondary School, Elekahia; Community Secondary School, Nkpogu; Dietams International Schools; and Community Secondary School, Abuloma.
In his address, the Deputy Managing Director, Joint Venture Asset, TotalEnergies EP, Nigeria Limited, Olivier Cassassoles, said reading habit remains a major essential needed for life’s development in information, direction and character building, and stressed the need for the students, many of whom he said would grow to become leaders to cultivate and sustain the culture.
Cassassoles, who was represented by the Executive Director, JV Asset, PortHarcourt, Obi Imemba, quoted former American President, Barack Obama’s words, “reading is the gateway skill that makes all other learning possible” and stated that “this clearly aligns with the theme of the day and implies that in order to successfully navigate the complexities of life, one needs to read”.
Cassassoles said “as students, many of you will grow to be leaders and leaders need a lot of information to stay relevant. The books you read will shape your future and through them you will find wisdom to make a difference”.
According to him, the book reading event is one that the company holds dear to heart as it promotes the culture of reading among students in Nigeria.
While encouraging the students to make conscientious effort to research good books with themes and characters that align with what they intend to do in future, Cassassoles expressed the hope that the students would commit themselves to a life of reading, adding that “I expect that you will be leaving here with a clearer idea of the career path you want to pursue “.
Also speaking, the State Commissioner for Education, Dr Ovy Chinedum Chukwuma, described this year’s theme as ‘most appropriate’ at a time when students have abandoned the text book for not only the phone – Whatsapp, Twitter etcetera but other vices.
Represented by the Technical Adviser to the Commissioner, Dr Joy Nwamaka Joseph, Chukwuma noted that reading is an effective tool for engaging students in critical thinking, saying “a student that reads focuses attention on the task at hand, immersing them in information and improving his/her concentration and memory”, insisting that students must read in order to navigate this maze-like world successfully.
The Commissioner commended TotalEnergies for “always seeking to improve the educational standards of our pupils, students, under/post graduates in our institutions and for inspiring them to develop the habit of reading as a life style”.
Earlier, the Country Communications Manager, TotalEnergies, Charles Ebereonwu, revealed that the annual reading event is part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility(CSR) targeted at making the best of future leaders.
In his closing remarks, the Special Adviser, People and Talent Management, TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Limited, Samuel Nkwo, lauded the students for going beyond reading the book to taking lessons there from.
“What has happened here today has given us encouragement that this is a good thing to do and that we should continue to do it” Nkwo said.
Highlights of the event included reading and discussion of the book, ‘Unexpected Joy At Dawn’, questions and answers session and presentation of gift items including school bags, solar lamps, books among others to the students.
By: Lady Godknows Ogbulu