DECODING EXPERIENTIAL MEANINGS IN SELECTED REMARKS ON THE RESTITUTION OF THE LOOTED ROYAL TREASURES TO BENIN BY FRANCE

Abstract

Drawing on Hallidayan Systemic Functional Linguistics theory of transitivity, this research work examines nineteen selected remarks on the restitution of the looted royal treasures to Benin by France in order to decode experiential meanings. The study aims to identify, analyse and interpret the transitivity patterns namely processes, participants and circumstances in order to decode experiential meaning. The selected remarks deserve scrutiny as they are produced in a highly emotive and historical context by Beninese political authorities, traditional leaders and other citizens on the one hand. On the other hand, the looted royal treasures are considered as sacred artworks enabling connections back with Beninese ancestors. On the basis of a mixed method, the transitivity patterns have been identified, analysed and interpreted following their frequency distribution. The study reveals a predominance of mental processes 23.13% followed by material 20.14% and verbal 19.40%. Relational intensive processes represent 15.67% whereas relational circumstantial processes represent 11.94%. Behavioural and existential processes represent each 03.73% whereas relational possessive represent 02.23%. The predominance of mental processes suggests the high involvement of Beninese citizens in reactions of cognition, emotion, perception and desideration towards the restitution of the royal treasures due not only to the high emotive and historical context of the event but also to the cultural, social and spiritual values attributed to these precious artworks.