Abstract
This study examines Zulu Sofola’s Wedlock of the gods as a work deeply rooted in the traditional and cultural practices of Nigeria, particularly those of the south‑eastern region. In order to achieve the purpose, it analyses selected acts from the play using the Sinclair and Coulthard (1975) Discourse Rank Scale model. It focuses on the acts which are identified and examined according to their types and communicative functions, highlighting how they contribute to plot progression and connect to the central themes of the play. Analysis from the twenty-six purposively selected extracts shows the effective application of the Sinclair and Coulthard model to a dramatic text, even though it was originally developed for classroom discourse. Eight acts were identified in the play, each performing communicative social functions that reveal how Sofola’s dialogue advances both the narrative and thematic depth of the work. The findings show that these acts (informative, directive, elicitation, contrastive, evaluative, frame, causative, focus) aid in understanding key themes such as love, revenge, retribution, and forced marriage. In conclusion, the study establishes that discourse analysis at the act level is a valuable tool for uncovering how language in drama reflects cultural values and deepens appreciation of African literary works. This confirms that the use of acts within the discourse rank scale is valuable in uncovering how language functions not only within dramatic texts but also as a mirror of societal values and tensions.
Keywords: Discourse, Analysis, Acts,
Dramatic, Rank Scale
DOI: 10.36349/sojolics.2026.v02i02.029
author/Butari, N., & Osayande, A. M.
journal/Sokoto JOLICS 2(2) | August 2026 |
