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                               A Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL) Analysis of Yoruba Students’ Narratives of 
                                                                      Identity at Three Western Cape Universities 
                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                 
                                                                                       Idowu Jacob Adetomokun 
                                                                               BA (ENGLISH) OAU Ile-Ife, Nigeria 
                                                                                                                 
                                        A thesis submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for Masters Degree of 
                                                                                                            Arts 
                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                 
                                                                                 In the Department of Linguistics 
                                                                                  University of the Western Cape 
                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                 
                                                                                   Supervisor: Prof. Felix Banda 
                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                       May 2012 
                            
                            
                            
                         ABSTRACT 
                              
       There has been a great deal of research exploring Halliday’s (1978, 1994, 2004) Systemic 
                              
       Functional Linguistic (SFL) approach. However, there has been little work that specifically 
                              
       targets SFL to explore African discourse. Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL) views 
                              
       language as “social semiotic”, that is, language is functional in terms of what it can do or 
       what can be done with it; and semantic in that it is used to make meanings (Halliday’s, 
       1978). This study explores SFL to analyse narratives of identity as told by Yoruba students at 
       three Western Cape Universities: University of the Western Cape (UWC), University of Cape 
       Town (UCT) and University of Stellenbosch (SUN). This research is both quantitative and 
       qualitative in outlook and results of the study are presented. I used the qualitative method to 
       collect and analyse the data; but a certain amount of quantitative analysis was presented as 
       well in order to determine the predominant identity options favoured by the students. A total 
       of 14 Yoruba students were interviewed for data collection which was analysed with SFL 
       interpersonal metafunction theoretical approach. Specifically, the study examines linguistic 
       choices that the students utilize to maintain and reconstruct their identities in Cape Town. 
       This concentrates on the aspects of Mood component combining Subject and Finite element, 
       Residual component comprising Predicator, Complement and Adjunct as well as Modality in 
       participants’ narratives. Besides, an important aspect of the study was the consideration 
       given to ethical issues.  
        
       Analyses are presented on tables showing the frequencies of the interpersonal elements as 
       configuration for preference use of different Subjects, Finites, Predicators, Complement and 
       Adjuncts to either strengthen or weaken positions. Equally, the metaphorically expressions of 
       objectivity to highlight the continuities and contradictions in the students’ narratives of 
       identity in the diaspora was considered. These serve as interpersonal elements used by 
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       participants for stylizing and personalizing different identities options.  Also, the study 
       presents how the students organize their message for cohesion/coherence in their narratives. 
                              
       Thus, SFL establishes how the linguistic choices of the students reflect identity options in 
                              
                              
       their new environment. The study shows the strengths of systemic-functional approach in its 
                              
       integration of what the students said, with what they might mean within the situation in which 
       they said them. Finally, I conclude  that these elements of interpersonal metafunction 
       framework make participants’ narratives coherent while revealing the different identities they 
       appropriated in the diaspora. 
        
       Keywords: Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL), text, clause, Participant, Subject, Finite, 
       Predicator, Complement, Adjunct, Modality, Mood, Residue, identity and narratives. 
        
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                               DECLARATION 
                                      
         I declare that A Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL) Analysis of Yoruba Students’ 
                                      
         Narratives of Identity at Three Western Cape Universities is my own work, that it has not 
                                      
         been submitted before for any degree or examination in any other university, and that all the 
                                      
         sources I have used or quoted have been indicated and acknowledged as complete references.  
          
          
         Idowu Jacob Adetomokun         May 2012  
          
          
         Signed: …………………………….. 
          
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