The relevance of the speech act theory to Buzani Kubawo
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Authors
Scheckle, Linda Ann
Issue Date
1994-10
Type
Dissertation
Language
en
Keywords
Communication , Intention , Purpose , Implicature , Felicity conditions , Maxims , Co-operative principle , Principle of literalness , Inferences , Illocutionary (speech) acts , Perlocutionary effects , Conflict , Unity I coherence , Drama , Decoders , Mutual contextual beliefs , Function
Alternative Title
Abstract
Austin's Speech Act Theory is a valuable tool for the
analysis of a literary text. In interaction, the intentionand
purpose-success of linguistic communication can be gauged
by establishing whether participants have met felicity
conditions and have respected maxims. When the Co-operative
Principle is ignored, special effects are achieved and
receivers can only make sense of utterances through
implicature and inferences based on background knowledge and
mutual contextual beliefs.
In the drama, Buzani kubawo, characters interact on four
levels of time in space and place. They reveal themselves
and convey theme through their speech and actions. Conflict
is entrenched by lines of force drawn between opposing
characters and between sub-worlds contrasted. Cohesion,
determined by plot structure, and form, expressed on the
endophoric and exophoric levels, give meaning to the drama.
The micro-analysis of the wedding scene illustrates how
communication can misfire should the playwright allow it!
Description
Citation
Scheckle, Linda Ann (1994) The relevance of the speech act theory to Buzani Kubawo, University of South Africa, Pretoria, <http://hdl.handle.net/10500/17671>