Abstract
This paper explores sets of expectations and perceptions underlying the use or not, of a selection of words, phrases and expressions in the Shona and Ndebele languages. The study broaches Leech’s (Leech 1983; 2007) politeness principle on the language of discretion as a result of silent and tacit cultural expectations in relation to interpersonal communication where using language with caution helps to protect one’s words from being misquoted, dismissed, mistranslated or distorted. Through an exploration of Brown and Levinson’s (Brown and Levinson, 1987) politeness theory as well as Kasanga and Lwanga-Lumu’s (Kasanga and Lwanga-Lumu, 2007) postulations on “politeness and apology realisation”, this paper seeks to derive meaning and understanding from hedges and cautious reserves in speech. The use of discreet language reflects a high degree of efficiency in social interaction as speakers take precautionary measures to protect themselves from the negative effect of their sayings or to protect themselves or their interlocutors from any harm caused by their utterances. The Shona and Ndebele languages have phrases/words like “padiki padiki” and “azikhuphi” which are indicative of the effort to conceal with a measure of politeness, the actual detail and truth surrounding an individual’s life. Through an ethnographic survey of the use of hedges by Shona and Ndebele speakers, this paper will contribute towards an appreciation of the language of discretion and hedging as valuable intangible cultural heritage which helps to communicate politely, mitigate face-threats, and also to convey vagueness purposely. These play a pivotal role in expression of ideas/claims and mastery of rhetorical strategies required in conversational circumstances.
Keywords: Politeness Strategies, Cautious Reserve, Shona, Ndebele Languages.
References
Brown, P. and Levinson, S. (1987). Politeness: Some Universals in Language Usage. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Brown, P. (2015). “Politeness and Language”. International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences, 2nd edition, 18. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-097086-8.53072-4
Bublitz, W. (1988). Supportive Fellow-Speakers and Cooperative Conversations. Amsterdam: John Benjamins. Buttery, P. and McCarthy, M. (2012). “Lexis in spoken discourse”. In: Gee, J. P. and Handford, M. eds 2012. The Routledge Handbook of Discourse Analysis. New York: Routledge. Pp. 285-300.
Carter, R. A. (2004). Language and Creativity: The Art of Common Talk. London: Routledge.
Cheng, C.Y. et al. (2008). “Connecting the dots within: creative performance and identity integration”. Psychological Science, 19(11), 1178-1184. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-9280.2008.02220.x.
Essein, A.M. (2010). “The Social Challenges of Witchcraft in African Christian Experience”. In: The European Journal of Social Science, 16(4), 534-545.
Finegan, E. (2012). “Discourses in the language of the law”. In: Gee, J. P. and Handford, M. eds 2012. The Routledge Handbook of Discourse Analysis. New York: Routledge. Pp. 482-493.
Glaser, B. G., and Strauss, A. (1967). The Discovery of Grounded Theory: Strategies for Qualitative Research. New York: Aldine.
Gotosa, K., and Kadenge, M. (2016). “Some Reflections on Politeness Strategies among Shona Speaking Couples of Zimbabwe”, Journal of Sociology and Social Anthropology, 7(2), 92-100.
Harvey, K and Adolphs, S. (2012). “Discourse and healthcare”. In: Gee, J. P. and Handford, M. eds 2012. The Routledge Handbook of Discourse Analysis. New York: Routledge. Pp. 470-481.
Kasanga, L. A., & Lwanga-Lumu, J.-C. (2007). “Cross-cultural linguistic realization of politeness: A study of apologies in English and Setswana”. Journal of Politeness Research, 3, 65-92.
Kileff, C. and Kileff, P. (1970). An Analysis of Roora. New Haven: Mambo Press.
Langa, A. K. and Lwanga-Luma, J. (2007). “Cross-cultural linguistic realisation of politeness: A study of apologies”. English and Setswana. Journal of Politeness Research, 3(1).
Leech, G. (2007). “Politeness: is there an East-West divide?”. Journal of Politeness Research: Language, Behaviour, Culture, 3(2), 167-206.
Leech, G. N. (1983). Principles of Pragmatics. London: Longman.
Lindström, J. (2001). “Testing Östman: iconicity and reduplicative politeness routines in Swedish”. In: Laakso,
V., Leino, J. and Raukko J. Eds 2001. Pragmatics, Implicitness, Constructions. Festskrift till prof. Jan-Ola Östman. Vantaa: Tummavuoren kirjapaino. Pp. 276–284.
Mao, L. M. (1994). “Beyond Politeness Theory: ‘Face’ revisited and renewed”. Journal of Pragmatics, 21(5),451-486.
Mashiri, P. (2002). “Saying ‘No’ Without Saying ‘No’: Indirectness and Politeness in Shona Refusals“. Zambezia, 29(2), 2-33.
Mills, S. (2003). Gender and Politeness. Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, Pp: 1-99.
Mullany, L. (2012). “Discourse, gender and professional communication”. In: Gee, J. P. and Handford, M. eds 2012. The Routledge Handbook of Discourse Analysis, New York: Routledge. Pp. 509-522. O’Keeffe, A. (2006). Investigating Media Discourse. London: Routledge.
Tatira, L. (2014). “Shona belief systems: finding relevancy for a new generation”. Journal of Pan African Studies, 6(8), 106-119.
Tutu, D. (2008). “One Hour” on CBC Interview.