Stylistic Appraisal of ‘Change’ As an Ideology in the Presbyterian Church Day Speeches of Right Reverend Doctor Festus Ambe Asana, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon

Abstract

Stylistic analysis is analysing the style in language, and its variation according to factors such as the author, genre, context and historical period. The style in language deals with the language used in a given context, taking into consideration those involved, therefore causing one speaker or writer’s style to be different from another. The choice of language from available language resources and different contexts make the texts different, given that the language users have different ways of representing the world. The present study analyses the five Presbyterian Church day speeches made by Right Reverend Dr Festus Ambe Asana, moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon from 2009 to 2014. The study uses the concepts of Style and the Rhetorical Appeals which are logos, ethos and pathos, as framework. Asana commands respect, credibility and authority as a moderator, uses logical facts and analogies in appealing to the emotions of the Christians of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon to change and become responsible children of God, whether in church or in their work places. Change as an ideology during Asana’s reign as moderator is expressed in his speeches through stylistic devices like dyads, triads, contrasts and images. The images show positive movement from one stage or point to another, the contrasts show the pictures of what is and what is supposed to be and the triads and dyads give a vivid image of what Asana considers a Christian whose outward change in influenced by an inner mindset.