Discursive representation of paedophiles in selected Nigerian home videos

Extant studies have interrogated the concept of paedophilia across various disciplines, sidelining the linguistic perspectives on this concept. To this end, this study extended the narrative of paedophilic discourse by examining the language use in the construction of offending paedophiles in Nigerian films to broaden the knowledge on the discourse. The study adopted an eclectic theoretical framework. Three popular Nigerian home videos: Kunle Afolayan’s October 1, Stephanie Linus’ Dry and Segilola Ogidan’s Tainted Canvas served as the data based on their significance to the focus of the study, coupled with their societal recognition. A qualitative research design was utilised. The films, which were selected purposively and retrieved from YouTube, were further subjected to critical discourse analysis. Offending paedophiles were described in four distinct ways: relentless tormentors, impenitent malefactors, deceitful helpers and corrupt leaders. These linguistic representations were elaborated through different discourse strategies. The constructions exposed the hazardous activities associated with child sexual abuse as perpetrated by offending paedophiles to enlighten readers on the different strategies they employ to exploit their victims in society, as produced in Nigerian home videos.