Sociolinguistic configuration of a regimented workforce: a study of the Nigerian army’s workout songs

ABSTRACT

This paper examines the sociolinguistic configuration of the Nigerian Army as indexed in the workout songs they used during jogging exercises in Calabar, South-eastern Nigeria. Data for the study were generated by means of participant observation and semi-structured interviews. The findings, drawing insights from Discourse community theory and multilingual identity concept, show that the workout songs bear (code mixed) elements of English, Nigerian Pidgin, indigenous languages, and military slanguage. The songs replicate the language practices in the Nigerian Army’s discourse community that describes the participants’ multilingual identities. Aside from serving as psychological devices for solidarity, social inclusion, and morale boosting for the regimented workforce, the songs provide insights into the use of institutional registers and slang to attend to communication exigencies in their social contexts. The code mixed songs as outcomes of multilingualism, also portray Nigerian Army as interethnolinguistic and multicultural workforce and define their identity, solidarity, and professional belonging.

KEYWORDS:

• Sociolinguistics configuration
• discourse community
• multilingual identities
• workout songs
• Nigerian army

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).