SOCIOLINGUISTIC ANALYSIS ON POLITENESS EXPRESSIONS IN ILLAH

ABSTRACT

The study investigated the politeness expressions used in Illah. It examined the nature of politeness in Illah. It accounted for the strategies used to convey politeness in Illah. Data for the study were gathered from a variety of sources cutting across social strata of native speakers of the Enuani dialect as well as published works in Enuani dialect. Statements that contained politeness were extracted from the data collected. These data were gotten through interviews, journals, books and articles. The framework adopted in this study to aid its analysis was Levinson and Brown's politeness theory which highlights face and face threatening acts. The data were examined to determine whether they were polite or not polite in relation to the dialect. The strategies used were euphemism, kinship, proverbs, address terms and honorific pronouns. It was found out that Euphemism was used to pass bad news in a mild way; kinship looked at the those names that are used to describe relation among families and relations; proverbs were used to pass wisdom, even those that seemed offensive; Honorific pronouns and address terms were used in referring to someone to mark respect, reference for or deference to superiors or equals. The study found that there is a conscious affront to face and face threaten acts ( positive and negative face ). The culture employ culture specific honorifics, kinship terms and address terms especially in relating with parent, spouses, elders relations, siblings and peers. It also observed that respect is held with high regards by the Illah culture hence the use of euphemism to pass offensive or bad massages to others. The proverbs used in by the Illah people are usually to caution both elders and youngsters and pass on wisdom that has lived within them for many generations.