A STYLISTIC ANALYSIS OF THE ANTHEMS OF FIVE NIGERIAN UNIVERSITIES

Abstract

In this paper, I examine, using foregrounding as a stylistic framework, the functions of phonological and lexical repetition, and graphological deviation in the anthems of five first-, second-, third-, fourth-, and fifth-generation universities owned by the Nigerian federal government. The written text of the anthems of the sampled universities, which were obtained largely from the websites and documents owned by the universities, were content and language analysed. The results indicate the use of lexical repetition, phonological repetition, punctuation and capitalisation to portray the universities as centres of knowledge and excellence. The results also indicate that students and staff of these institutions love and take pride in them.