International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume IV, Issue VII, July 2020 | ISSN 2454–6186

A Pragmatic Analysis of Impoliteness in the Wedlock of the Gods by Zulu Sofola

Steve E. Oseafiana and Don’ Emenike
Department of Languages, School of General Studies, Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku, Nigeria

Abstract: The purpose of the study is to investigate the impoliteness strategies used in the play Wedlock of the Gods by Zulu Sofola. The study applies Culpeper’s theory of Impoliteness to the interpretation of selected extracts in order to establish specific impoliteness strategies that are used by the characters to realise the thematic preoccupation of the play. The study shows that such impoliteness strategies such as bald on record, bald on record combined with sarcasm, positive impoliteness and sarcasm and negative impoliteness are used in the play. The strategies are mainly used to achieve affective functions since they are targeted at expressing anger and discontent about the actions of the addressee(s). The study has implication for the understanding of the human emotion and how it triggers the use of impoliteness in communication.

Keywords: drama, pragmatics, politeness, impoliteness, conflict.

I. INTRODUCTION

Though the play, The Wedlock of the Gods is relatively old, having been published in 1972, it has continued to attract scholarly attention. The academic enquiry devoted to the play has contributed to the better understanding of human condition and establishing the play as a matrix for the interrogation of African culture in the light of challenges to its observance and enforcement in the new world order that premises its functionality on the respect of individual choices and preferences. Rosemary Asen (2017), for instance, examines the practice of bride price in Africa as exemplified in The Wedlock of the Gods and Efua Sutherland’s Marriage of Anasewa to situate its significance in achieving peace and happiness in the society. Also, Norbert Oyibo Eze and Nelson Torti Obasi (2008) investigate the play from a cross-gender perspective to establish the fact that the forceful marriage of Ugwoma to somebody she never loves is an instance of human right abuse that has consequential effect on the society. Though the study of Stephen O. Solanke (2013) is quite different from others as it tends to explain the characters in the play in terms of mytho-symbolic representations of competing ideological positions that pitches modernism against tradition in the evolution of African culture, it is important to note that the study is still a content study. This means that the studies are devoted to the thematic concerns of the play. From the above, it could be noted that no study has investigated the linguistic resources used in realising the interpersonal relationship of the interlocutor in pursuance of the realisation of the objective of the play, yet these are important for the full understanding of the play.