PROBING CORRUPTION AND BRIBERY IN OGUNDIMU'S A SILLY SEASON: A TRANSITIVITY- BASED LINGUISTIC ANALYSIS OF LANGUAGE USE IN LITERARY FICTION

This research paper explores the depiction of corruption and bribery in Ogundimu’s ASilly Season through linguistic analysis, employing the framework of Systemic FunctionalLinguistics (SFL), with a particular focus on Halliday’s concept of Transitivity. Byanalysing language patterns used by characters, this study aims to pinpoint specificpassages that exemplify the theme of corruption and examine how language constructsmeaning around this topic. The chosen literary work is notably significant within therealm of African post-colonial literature, renowned for its critical examination of socialissues, including corruption—a major obstacle to the development of African nations.The objectives of this research include identifying pertinent excerpts, conducting atransitivity analysis on the clauses within these excerpts to identify processes andparticipants, and exploring the implications of these analyses for understanding howcorruption is represented in the text. The findings illuminate the content and messagescommunicated by the characters, offering deep insights into the portrayal of corruptionin the novel, particularly through the prevalent use of material and relational processes.This analysis concludes that Ogundimu has meticulously and deliberately developed hisprotagonist, Kunle Bagbelu, utilising strategic verbal and lexical choices to depict anexceptional individual who resists bribery in a contemporary African society, despite hisdisadvantaged socio-economic status. This character remains a rare exception to date,highlighting Ogundimu’s passionate and strategic narrative craftsmanship in addressingcorruption.