A Pragma-Linguistic Interpretation of Legal Communication: A Study of Sections 133 and 134 of the Nigerian Constitutional Provisions for Presidential Election
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: Legal communication, particularly in constitutional texts, is said to be characterized by its precision, formality, and strategic use of language. However, this precision often coexists with ambiguities that invite diverse interpretations, particularly in highly charged political con- texts. This study examines the pragma-linguistic features of Sections 133 and 134 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, focusing on the presuppositions and implicatures embedded within these provisions. Using an utterance-by-utterance analytical approach, the study investigates how the linguistic nuances of these Sections formed the basis for legal arguments/tussles and political narratives across the nation during the 2023 Nigerian presidential election involving Tinubu and Obi. Drawing on theories of presupposition and implicature, the analysis uncovers the implicit assumptions and inferred meanings encoded in the constitutional language. The findings reveal how the stylo-linguistic choices in legal draft- ing, such as presuppositions, can form the interpretive basis in legal disputations. It also re- veals how implicatures arising from legal texts can create rooms for legal contestation and generate political discourse in a nation. In general, the study further shows how the pragmatic elements of legal language may influence judicial interpretations, public discourse as well as the acceptability or rejection of an electoral outcome. This research underscores the interpretive inevitability of pragma-linguistic instrumentality to the analysis and interpretation of legal texts particularly in contexts where constitutional provisions intersect with political controversies. By illuminating the implicit dimensions of legal communication, the study contributes to a deeper understanding of how language mediates legal reasoning and democratic governance, offering insights for both linguistic scholarship and legal/constitutional endeavors.
DOI: 10.14762/jll.2025.f7
Language: English
Subfield: Law
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W6923925270