MULTIMODAL ANALYSIS OF POLITICAL CARTOONS IN NIGERIA FROM 2019 – 2021

Abstract

Multimodal discourse analysis is a more concise, elaborate and complete form of discourse analysis that takes into consideration the spoken, written texts, images and nonverbal communication. Due to its involvement in the utilisation of multiplicity of modes to describe language use, it becomes difficult to decode the message the speaker tries to pass, especially in cartoon study. This study presented a multimodal analysis of political cartoons in Nigeria in 201-2021. The purpose is to identify the various modes, classified, analyzed and related the various modes found in the selected political cartoons. Vanguard, Business Day, and Punch, are the sources of data for this study. All the political cartoons found in the sources above served as the population. Purposive sampling is used to draw six political cartoons for analysis. The researcher used duo theories: Referential Theory of meaning by Ogden, Richard, and Systemic Functional Linguistics by Halliday. Descriptive Linguistics by Robin is adopted as method of data analysis. Through this research, the researcher found that the political cartoons under investigation are a realistic portrayal of the Nigerian society as they carry truth in all the modes employed. The researcher also found that political cartoons are quite entertaining, informative and the only way Nigerians could describe the government without been hunted for hate speech or defamation. The researcher concluded with an emphasis on the need to fashion pay more attention to political cartoon study in Nigeria. It was recommended that further studies should be conducted using Semiotics and Speech Act Theory.