This is a pragmatic analysis of the Kirundi kinship terminology with the aim of using a linguistic approach to study how Burundians use kinship terms to express entreaty. It has been noted that Kirundi speakers use kinship terms to address their hearers in order to achieve some targets. Thus, kinship terms embody the power of action that is exploited in interpersonal conversation to express entreaty. The study was based on the assumption that Kirundi kinship terms do things in actual communication. Kirundi kinship terms used for entreaty purpose were collected from members of the Kirundi speech community and from available related literature.
They were translated into English and classified according to how they are used with regards to the conveyance entreaty. The speech act theory was used to identify the locutionary force (semantics), the illocutionary force (intention) and the perlocutionary force (possible effects) of each contextualized kinship term. The people’s reactions in relation to deeper implications and possible effects of the kinship terms were obtained through a questionnaire and an interview schedule. The findings of the study showed that the respondents (100%) are aware of the pragmatic use of kinship terms and use kinship terms to convey entreaty in their everyday life. When they were asked whether they use kinship terms for entreaty purpose, they all agreed (100%) regardless of their age and sex.
It was proved, however, that there is a tendency to replace some terms by foreign language equivalents or religious brotherhood terms. Respondents also expressed their views that kinship terms are honorific words and politeness forms which have the power to arouse one’s addressee grant one’s request. Kirundi kinship terms may, therefore, be taken as one major source of reference to study the ethnopragmatics of Burundians. Kirundi kinship terminology should, thus, be subjected to well balanced analysis and interpretation to avoid unnecessary influences. The analysis of Kinship terms is recommended as a powerful tool for people concerned with sociopragmatics. Moreover, Kirundi Kinship terminology constitutes a wide field for linguists interested in studying the power and effects of language in society.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Chapter 1: Introduction
- Chapter 2: Literature Review
- Chapter 3: Methodology
- Chapter 4: Data Analysis and Discussion
- Chapter 5: Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This dissertation aims to explore the use of kinship terms in Kirundi to express entreaty. It investigates how these terms function pragmatically in specific social contexts within Burundi.
- The pragmatic functions of Kirundi kinship terms.
- The social context influencing the use of kinship terms in entreaty.
- The relationship between kinship terms and politeness strategies.
- The role of power dynamics in the selection of kinship terms.
- Cultural implications of kinship term usage in requests.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Chapter 1: Introduction: This chapter sets the stage for the dissertation, introducing the topic of expressing entreaty using Kirundi kinship terms. It provides background information on the language and its cultural context, highlighting the significance of kinship in Burundi society and its potential role in communication. The chapter lays out the research questions and objectives, outlining the methodology used to analyze the data. It also provides a brief overview of the structure of the dissertation, guiding the reader through the subsequent chapters.
Chapter 2: Literature Review: This chapter reviews existing literature relevant to the study of linguistic pragmatics, focusing on the use of kinship terms in communication. It examines theoretical frameworks related to politeness, speech acts, and cross-cultural communication. The review synthesizes scholarly work on the role of kinship in various African societies, exploring how kinship systems impact language use and social interaction. The chapter concludes by establishing a theoretical foundation for the current research and highlighting the gaps in existing knowledge addressed by this dissertation.
Chapter 3: Methodology: This chapter details the research methodology employed in the study. It outlines the data collection methods, including the selection of participants and the data gathering techniques. The chapter explains the data analysis approach, specifying the theoretical frameworks used to interpret the findings. It also discusses the limitations of the study and the measures taken to mitigate potential biases. The methodological rigor ensured the reliability and validity of the research results.
Chapter 4: Data Analysis and Discussion: This chapter presents the core findings of the dissertation, analyzing the collected data to answer the research questions posed in the introduction. It meticulously examines instances of Kirundi kinship terms used in entreaty, categorizing and classifying them based on their pragmatic functions and social contexts. The chapter delves into the relationship between kinship terms, politeness strategies, and power dynamics, providing detailed examples from the data to support the analysis. It explores the cultural nuances associated with the use of kinship terms in requests, offering insights into the social dynamics at play.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Kirundi, kinship terms, entreaty, linguistic pragmatics, politeness, speech acts, Burundi, social context, power dynamics, cultural implications, communication.
FAQ: Comprehensive Language Preview of Kirundi Kinship Terms in Entreaty
What is the overall topic of this dissertation preview?
This preview summarizes a dissertation exploring the use of kinship terms in the Kirundi language to express entreaty (requests). It examines how these terms function pragmatically within specific social contexts in Burundi.
What chapters are included in the dissertation, and what do they cover?
The dissertation comprises five chapters: Chapter 1 (Introduction) sets the stage and outlines the research questions. Chapter 2 (Literature Review) examines existing research on linguistic pragmatics and kinship terms. Chapter 3 (Methodology) details the research methods used. Chapter 4 (Data Analysis and Discussion) presents the core findings and analysis of Kirundi kinship terms used in entreaty. Chapter 5 (Conclusion) summarizes the findings and implications.
What are the key objectives and themes of the research?
The dissertation aims to investigate the pragmatic functions of Kirundi kinship terms in entreaty, considering the influence of social context, politeness strategies, power dynamics, and cultural implications. It explores how these factors shape the selection and use of kinship terms in requests.
What specific aspects of kinship term usage are analyzed?
The analysis focuses on the pragmatic functions of Kirundi kinship terms in requests, examining how social context (power dynamics, relationships), politeness strategies, and cultural norms influence their selection and interpretation.
What methodology was used in this research?
The methodology section details the data collection methods (participant selection, data gathering techniques) and the data analysis approach, including the theoretical frameworks used for interpreting the findings. It also addresses limitations and potential biases.
What are the key findings (in summary)?
Chapter 4 presents a detailed analysis of how Kirundi kinship terms are used in entreaty, categorized by their pragmatic functions and social contexts. The analysis explores the relationships between kinship terms, politeness strategies, power dynamics, and cultural nuances in requests.
What are the keywords associated with this research?
Key words include: Kirundi, kinship terms, entreaty, linguistic pragmatics, politeness, speech acts, Burundi, social context, power dynamics, cultural implications, communication.
What is the target audience for this preview?
This preview is intended for academic use, allowing for the analysis of themes in a structured and professional manner.
- Citation du texte
- Simon Ntamwana (Auteur), 2012, Expressing Entreaty. The Use of Kirundi Kinship Terms, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/429969
