Pragmatic Functions of Discourse Particles in Lutsotso conversations

Authors

  • Joel Ongolo Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kenya
  • Benard Mudogo Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kenya
  • David Barasa Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kenya

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18326/jopr.v6i2.186-205

Keywords:

Context, conversation, discourse particles, Lutsotso

Abstract

The study of the functions of discourse particles in the African languages has received much attention from various scholars, although not from a pragmatic perspective. A good understanding of the pragmatic functions of discourse particles in African languages can benefit language users. However, limited knowledge in this field has affected communication of ideas more clearly and concisely. This paper explores the pragmatic functions of these discourse particles in Lutsotso conversations within the Relevance Theory (RT) structure by Sperber and Wilson (1995). A combined method of native speakers’ intuition and data extraction from Lutsotso conversations were used to collect data. After that, a descriptive research design was used to analyze the collected data. The findings revealed that in Lutsotso conversations, discourse particles play the following pragmatic functions depending on the context: cutting in politely, initiating a new topic, highlighting of a hypothesis that immediately follows, capturing the attention of the listeners, holding the flow and keeping one’s turn, and disagreeing politely.

Author Biographies

Joel Ongolo, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kenya

Joel Ongolo is a postgradutae student at the department of Language and Literature Education, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology Kenya. He is undetaking a Master of Arts Degaree in Applied Linguistics, specializing in pragmatic studies.

Benard Mudogo, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kenya

Benard Mudogo is a Senior Lecturer in Linguistics, at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, specailizing in research in language for knowledge and deveopment. He has published extensively in the areas of langaue and mediated communication.

David Barasa, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kenya

David Barasa is a Senior Lecturer and currently the Associate Dean, School of Arts and Social Sciences, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology. He has published extensively in the areas of African language structure .

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Published

2024-09-28

How to Cite

Ongolo, J., Mudogo, B., & Barasa, D. (2024). Pragmatic Functions of Discourse Particles in Lutsotso conversations. Journal of Pragmatics Research, 6(2), 186–205. https://doi.org/10.18326/jopr.v6i2.186-205

Issue

Vol. 6 No. 2 (2024): Journal of Pragmatics Research

Section

Articles

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Copyright (c) 2024 Joel Ongolo, Benard Mudogo, David Barasa

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