PRAGMATIC STUDY OF HATE SPEECH: AN ANALYSIS OFMIYETTI ALLAH'S SPEECHES

ABSTRACT This research titled 'pragmatic study of hate speech: An analysis of Miyetti Allah's speeches' is aimed at examining the pragmatic study of hate speech used by the Miyetti group. In recent times, the increase in the use of hate speech has emerged as a significant concern across various societies, particularly in the context of political discourse and social interactions. This has triggered and encouraged substantial research in many areas of study and in different methodological perspectives and fields of inquiry. Research on hate speech in different areas have mainly centered on discourse analysis while the pragmatic aspect has not been given scholarly attention. It is on this basis that this study is carried out to fill the existing gap. The method of data collection is interview,and selected newspapers stories. The study uses the descriptive research design, with a sample sizeof three speeches gotten from the Punch, Vanguard and Sun Newspapers supported by fifteen participants who are the victims of the farmers-herders crises. The study adopts the speech acts theory propounded by J.L Austin (1962). Findings reveal that Miyetti Allah uses speech acts such as commissive and declarative acts. The study also reveals that speeches made by the Miyetti Allah have psychological and polarization impacts on the listeners. It further shows that these speeches made by Mliyetti Allah incite violence and escalate existing conflicts. The study concludes that speech acts used by the Miyetti Allah group are integral to the group's strategy of mobilizing its followers and promoting its agenda. The study thus, recommends that scholars should carry out more studies that explore the long-term effects of hate speech on public opinion and group identity.