Pages: (210-221 )
Abstract
Language has been viewed as a key concept in the regulation of human relationship. Three friend of Job, Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar’s visits and their discourse goes a long way in buttressing this notion, Using Toulmin’s six layer - layout of everyday argument. The study carried out a linguistic analysis of the cycles of speeches between Job and his three friends, findings showed that each speaker employed the six layers of everyday argument-Data, Claim, Reservation, Warrant, Backing and Rebuttal indicating that whereas, the use of language can result to misunderstanding, it can also be employed in the smooth running of human activities. The study concluded that the book of job, which is written in poetic format is cryptic, that is, (written with an unusual grammatical constructions and rare words). The book showcases the theme of the righteous suffering, hence, the inability of mere mortals to explain the reason behind some of their earthly experiences. The friends of Job came to console him, but through their use of language, they added to Job’s woes.
Keywords: Transaction, Linguistic, Analysis,