LINGUISTIC PORTRAYAL OF 'OTHERNESS' IN SELECTED HOMOSEXUALITY-THEMED NOLLYWOOD MOVIES

ABSTRACT

More often than not, sexuality and appurtenant topics are publicly downplayed or avoided in the Nigerian society. The present study was hinged on the assumption that alternative sexualities, specifically homosexuality, are portrayed through the postmodernist prism of the ‘ Other’ . This study examined how language is used to express the otherness of homosexuality in selected Nollywood movies. Its specific objectives were to identify and categorize the representations of homosexuality in selected Nollywood movies; analyse the linguistic signifiers of sexual Otherness; and, discuss the implications of these signifiers to the treatment of homosexuality in the Nigerian public space. Two purposively selected movies from Nigeria’ s Nollywood constituted the data. These are My Husband is Gay and Gay Pastors. The theoretical framework was hinged on the tenets of Fairclough’ s Critical Discourse Analysis alongside Connell’ s Theory of Masculinity. These leanings afforded the examination and discussion of pervasive representations and societal views on homosexuality as identified in the movies discussed.

In achieving its aim, the analysis of lexis, sentences and non-verbal actions as explicated by the characters in the selected movies revealed that homosexuality was negatively represented, since it is constantly contrasted to heterosexuality which is widely represented as the normative sexual orientation. In addition, the study identified that homosexuality is portrayed from several perspectives. These are as: a religious transgression, a moral depravity, de-masculinizing and effeminizing, and a sociocultural abomination. These realizations establish the acknowledgement of minority sexual orientations and the role of the mass media and creative arts in either asserting existing societal narratives or providing advocacy for social acceptance.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page Certification...............................................................................................ii Dedication.................................................................................................iii Acknowledgement........................................................................................iv

Table of Contents..........................................................................................v Abstract....................................................................................................vii

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 Introduction..........................................................................................1

1.1 Background to the Study..........................................................................2

1.2 Statement of the Problem..........................................................................3

1.3 Research Questions.................................................................................4

1.4 Research Assumptions/Hypotheses...............................................................4

1.5 Aim and Objectives of the Study.................................................................4

1.6 Methodology........................................................................................5

1.7 Theoretical Framework.............................................................................5

1.8 Significance of the Study..........................................................................7

1.9 Contribution to Knowledge........................................................................7

1.10 Delimitation..........................................................................................7

1.11 Outline of the Study................................................................................8

1.12 Conclusion..........................................................................................8

CHAPTER TWO

2.0 Introduction.........................................................................................9

2.1 A Review of Relevant Literature................................................................10

2.1.1 Gender, Sexualities and the Role of Societal Constructs....................................10

2.1.2 Masculinity and the African Experience and Expectations.................................15

2.1.3 Scholarly Perspectives of Homosexuality in Movies........................................19

2.1.4 The Role of Language in the Framing of Social Realities..................................24

2.2 Theoretical Framework..........................................................................28

2.2.1 Connell’ s Theory of Masculinity...............................................................28

2.2.2 Fairclough’ s Critical Discourse Analysis.....................................................33

2.3 Conclusion.........................................................................................39

CHAPTER THREE

3.0 Introduction........................................................................................41

3.1 Methodological Details- Research Design, Data Collection and Analytical Techniques ...........................................41

3.2 Justification of Methodology...................................................................43

3.3 Conclusion.........................................................................................44

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0 Introduction.......................................................................................45

4.1 Systematic Presentation and Discussion of Findings........................................45

4.1.0 General Overview of Selected Movies.........................................................45

4.1.1 Lexis as Tool for ‘ Othering’ Homosexuality.................................................50

4.1.2 Sentential Constructs and its Depiction of Homosexuality as an ‘ Other’ .................55

4.1.3 Graphic and Non-Verbal Linguistic Analysis of Homosexual and Heterosexual Relations ........59

4.1.4 Effeminizing Gay Characters: A Discussion of Ideological Constructs of Language....66

4.1.5 Implications of Identified Representations in the Nigerian Context.......................70

4.2 Conclusion.........................................................................................75

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0 Introduction........................................................................................77

5.1 Summary of Findings..............................................................................77 5.2 Conclusion..........................................................................................79 5.3 Recommendations..................................................................................79

References...................................................................................................81