“Esprit de Corps”: Ingroup Identity Construction and Contextual Conceptualisations Among the (Para)military Discourse Community

Abstract

ABSTRACT The paper examines the use of esprit de corps as an intragroup identity construction device that indexes contextual conceptualisations among the (para)military discourse community in Nigeria. Data were generated through participant observation and audio tape recordings of randomly selected personnel of the target agencies at designated checkpoints along the Calabar-Uyo highway in South-South Nigeria. Findings show strands of its perlocutionary meanings in (para)military discourse orientation. Esprit de corps, used by the Nigerian (para)military personnel, demonstrates discipline and regimentation, social inclusion and identity, elicitation of hierarchical compliments, appeals and concessions, freedom and right of passage, ingroup favouritism and outgroup bias, and is an interruptive device, among other things. It performs pragmatic functions, and negotiates and co-constructs members’ identity within the ideological orientations of the group. In Nigeria, it is narrowed to the exclusive dialectal norm of the regimented forces, and is believed to be a cohesive force that strengthens them for the effective discharge of their essential duties.