DOAJ Open Access 2022

Forms and functions of “impossibility” expressions in Yoruba informal interactions

Temitope M. Ajayi

Abstrak

This study investigates the forms and pragmatic functions of “impossibility” slangy expressions in Yoruba informal interactions, within the framework of Mey’s pragmatic acts (2001). Data comprised ten informal interactions randomly sampled from thirty interactions observed among the Yoruba in different contexts. Findings revealed “impossibility” slangy expressions in Yoruba trifurcate into function‑oriented, structure‑function‑oriented, and danger‑oriented types. They are deployed to express rejection, rejection with warning, caution, discountenance and disapproval, rebuke with dare, challenge and threat in Yoruba informal interactions. Participants in Yoruba informal interactions make recourse to facial expression (physical act), and contextual elements: shared cultural knowledge (SCK), shared experiential knowledge (SEK), voice (VCE), inference (INF) and relevance (REF) to deconstruct the pragmatic imports of impossibility expressions.

Topik & Kata Kunci

Ethnology. Social and cultural anthropology Philology. Linguistics African languages and literature

Penulis (1)

Temitope M. Ajayi

Format Sitasi

APA MLA BibTeX

Ajayi, T.M. (2022). Forms and functions of “impossibility” expressions in Yoruba informal interactions. https://doi.org/10.32690/56.5

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Informasi Jurnal

Tahun Terbit: 2022
Sumber Database: DOAJ
DOI: 10.32690/56.5
Akses: Open Access ✓