Analysis of Experiential Metafunction of Yoruba Riddles

Abstract

The Language use in riddling is primarily influenced by the descriptive nature of the genre. In representing reality in riddles description, speaker has no choice than to convey the logic through experiential meaning of processes, participants and circumstances. However, various structural aspects of text produced during riddling have been analyzed but the transitivity system through which Experiential interpretation is coded in riddles has not been given adequate attention. It is against this background that this work describes the experiential elements involved in the transitivity system of riddles. The study is carried out within the framework of functional grammar. The data for the analysis were generated from the different published texts on Yoruba riddles. The study established that Yoruba riddles are inherently characterized by Relational and existential processes. In addition to that, majority of riddles with derived and non- derived topics are construed through either material or mental processes together with their inherent participants. In respect of form, the riddles’ circumstantial meaning is expressed through comment constituents.