Transitivity in Stylistics: Protest Through Animal Proverbs in Bole Butake’s and Palm Wine Will Flow

Abstract

Stylistic effects of transitivity in the use of animal proverbs in Bole Butake’s And Palm Wine Will Flow, analyses the message the author is passing through the use of animal proverbs. Systemic functional theory views language as a resource people use to accomplish their purposes by expressing meaning in context. Particular aspects of a given context define the meanings likely to be expressed and the language likely to be used to express those meanings. The method of analysis is a descriptive approach that describes the proverbs and the relationship between the animals used in the proverbs, showing opposition in the animal camp. Butake brings man to the level of the animal because he wants reconciliation in the human society. This is the reason for the excess use of the material process which shows action. Transitivity as used in this study correlates linguistic choices and social aspects of language use, and brings out the underlying message of protest in the play.