Chapter One — 1.1 Background to the Study

Scholarly interest in Yoruba-English Bilinguals' Political Speeches has remained strong, reflecting its continued relevance to discussions of Nigerian and African literary identity.

Existing criticism of Political Speeches tends to focus on its broader thematic concerns, with code-switching as a stylistic device in service of language policy receiving comparatively less sustained attention.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

While Yoruba-English Bilinguals' Political Speeches is widely studied, there is no settled critical consensus on how its code-switching functions specifically in relation to language policy. This study undertakes a close textual analysis to address that gap.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

1. To examine the use of code-switching in Yoruba-English Bilinguals' Political Speeches.
2. To analyze how code-switching contributes to the portrayal of language policy.
3. To assess the effectiveness of code-switching as a stylistic/thematic tool in the text.
4. To situate the findings within the broader context of Nigerian literary/linguistic scholarship.

1.4 Research Questions

1. How is code-switching used in Yoruba-English Bilinguals' Political Speeches?
2. In what ways does code-switching contribute to the portrayal of language policy?
3. How effective is code-switching as a stylistic/thematic tool in the text?
4. How does this reading relate to the broader body of Nigerian literary/linguistic scholarship?

1.5 Significance of the Study

This study is significant to students and teachers of linguistics, offering a close reading of Yoruba-English Bilinguals' Political Speeches that can support classroom discussion and further critical work. It also contributes to the broader body of scholarship on Nigerian literary and linguistic studies.

1.6 Scope of the Study

The study is limited to a close textual analysis of code-switching within Political Speeches, reflecting a BSc-level scope; it does not extend to a full survey of the author's other works.