A Pragmatic Analysis of the Command Terms and Expressions Used for the Nigerian Army Day Celebration Parade

This study examines the command terms and expressions used by the Nigerian Army during the Nigerian Army Day Celebration Parade (NADCEL Parade), treating them as a special type of military language. It focuses on the structure and function of these terms within Army operations. Data were collected by observing, without participating, the spoken commands during the parade. To guide this analysis, the study draws on Austin’s Speech Act Theory (1962) and Grice’s Conversational Implicature framework (1975). The findings show that these command expressions have unique conversational effects in military settings, are shaped by the situation, and carry multiple meanings. These terms help guide troops during the parade and further both military and national goals. The study concludes that the parade's context shapes the meaning and impact of these commands.