Abstract

This research work investigates pragmatic transfers in Okedokun’s Mopelola: The Tale of a Beauty Goddess. It aims at identifying, analyzing and interpreting pragmatic features through which specific meanings are conveyed in the selected play. In the attempt to reach this goal, the data are randomly collected from the whole play on the basis of a quantitative method. Then, the statistical results are qualitatively discussed and interpreted in terms of their frequency distribution. The findings show a predominance of pragmatic transfer of loan words representing 33.33% followed by proverbs 32.14% and loan-blends 16.16%. Transfers of greetings, insults and apology are low as they represent respectively 3.57%, 3.57%, and 2.38% whereas other transfers such as request, gratitude, offer, blaming/reproaching and advice are almost nonexistent. The high proportions of loan words as well as proverbs suggest the author’s determination to value Yoruba culture and tradition. The almost important proportion of loan-blends constitutes a strategy for the author to attract readers’ attention on the various authentic Yoruba expressions. The presence of transfer in greetings stresses the peculiarity of Yoruba culture characterized by the expression of profound respect to elderly people. On the other hand, the presence of insults indicates that though Yoruba culture is characterized by the expression of profound respect, some Yoruba people, as the black sheep, do develop arrogance in contradiction to their culture.

Highlights

  • Language is a vital tool of communication in human societies

  • The findings show a predominance of pragmatic transfer of loan words representing 33.33% followed by proverbs 32.14% and loan-blends 16.16%

  • The analysis shows that pragmatic transfer is a highly relevant linguistic work in Anglophone literature produced by African writers

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Summary

Introduction

As nobody can live in a human society without the need of expressing their ideas, feelings, needs, Traugott and Pratt (1980) describe the importance of language as follows: ‘Language is around us everywhere, in speech, writing, sign language, or in our mind as we dream, remember conversation, or quietly think out a problem It is a vehicle of power, a means by which we control, create and preserve’ A clear-cut understanding of a speech event requires a thorough consideration of the context in which it takes root This leads Hasan (1985) to advocate that: ‘Languages need communities to live in; they develop and change through their use in the living of life, and this characteristically takes place in social contexts of culture’ It is highly important to have a good understanding of language context so as to decode suitable meanings and pragmatics is the linguistic field that helps decode speakers’ intended meanings

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