Something must kill a man: Linguistic choices as ideological performance in the Nigerian Army’s morale boosting songs

Abstract

This article examines linguistic choices found in the Nigerian Army’s morale boosting songs as aspects of regimental performance of military ideologies. Insights from ideological interaction theory are utilised to account for the underlying meanings of linguistic components of the songs and their ideological frames. Data for the study were generated through semi-structured interviews and participant observation for the duration of a year’s fieldwork involving 20 participants from three units of the Nigerian Army located in Cross River State, South-south Nigeria. Findings show that the linguistic content of the morale boosting songs are aspects of military language practice and communication strategies that index ideological frames that regulate military operations and lifestyle. The songs express warfare and patriotism on battlefields, discipline, command and control mechanisms for orderliness, professional pride and out-group bias, energetic physique and gallantry for persevering operations, regimentation and collectivities for indivisible strength to conquer enemies, and reverencing God for victories in battle. The songs also recreate socialisation sites that reinforce the mien of troops essential for strengthening social bonding, fostering team spirit and psychological stability for effective soldiering. The performance resonates with a transnational military culture and provides insights into the dynamics of ideological patterns across global militaries that define their collective professional identity.