Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of the study is to examine the phenomenon of politeness in isiXhosa discourse
within the speech acts of apology and complaint. Politeness is evidenced where nonverbal
and verbal actions work together for the purpose of achieving smooth
communication among speakers. The actions that occur through discourse are called
speech acts. The most important aim of the speech act of apology is to maintain a good
relationship among speakers. This study focusses specifically on the speech act of
apology and the manner in which Xhosa speakers forward apologies and complaints
among themsleves. Politeness theory will be used as a basis of this study.
In this study, the main focuss is on how the male and female students forward complaints
and apologies. It is discovered that, there are different ways of expressing apologies and
complaints in isiXhosa in different situations, and the different ways in which males and
females students forward apologies among themselves. For instance, in space situation,
males forwarded more apologies as they occupied more space than females. In time
situation, females forward more apologies as they were lacking more in time management
than males do.
According to Trosborg (1995) there are several ways or strategies of apology, which are
as follows: The opting out-catergory; minimizing the degree of offence; indirect apologies;
explanation or account; promise of forbearance and the offer of repair. It has been
discovered firstly in this study, that females used more apology strategies than males.
Secondly, four main apology strategies: request for forgiveness; explicit explanation; offer
of apology and the expression of lack of intent have been extensively used by both males
and females in the empirical data examined.
Trosborg (1995) mentions eight complaints strategies, namely: hints; annoyance; ill
consequences; direct complaints; indirect complaints; modified blame (behavior) and an
explicit blame (person). Females used more complaint strategies than males. Five
complaint strategies: direct complaint; annoyance; ill consequences; indirect complaint and
the modified blame have been extensively used by both males and females. This study helps us to understand the different ways of expressing apologies and
complaints in different situations in isiXhosa. The more appropriate apology and complaint
is used, the better the communication. This becomes evident in the manner in which males
and females forwarded apology and complaint strategies in the discourse analysed in this
study. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie studie is om die verskynsel van beleefdheid in isiXhosa te ondersoek
binne die uitvoering van die spraakhandelinge van verskoning en klagte. Beleefdheid word
aangedui wanneer nie-verbale en verbale aksies saam van belang is vir die bereiking van
doeltreffende kommunikasie tussen sprekers. Die handelinge wat plaasvind deur diskoers
word spraakhandelinge genoem. Die belangrikste oogmerk van die spraakhandeling van
verskoning is om goeie verhoudinge tussen sprekers te handhaaf. Hierdie studie fokus
spesifiek op die spraakhandeling van verskoning en die wyse waarop Xhosasprekers
verskonings en klagtes tussen mekaar uitruil. Beleefdheidsteorie sal as raamwerk gebruik
word vir hierdie studie.
Die studie gee ook aandag aan hoe vroulie en manlike studente verskonings uitruil. Dit
word bevind dat daar verskillende wyses is waarop verskonings en klagtes in Xhosa
uitgedruk word in verskillende situasies, en dat daar verskillende wyses is waarop manlike
en vroulike studente verskonings uitruil. Byvoorbeeld, in 'n ruimte situasie gee manlike
persone meer verskonings as vroulike persone, aangesien hulle meer ruimte in beslag
neem. In 'n tyd situasie, gee vroulike persone meer verskonings as manlike persone
aangesien dit voorkom of hulle minder besorg is oor tydsbestuur.
Volgens Trosborg (1995), is daar verskeie wyses of strategieë van verskoning, insluitende
die volgende: die uitwegkategorie, minimalisering van oortreding, indirekte verskonings,
verduideliking, belofte van geduld, en aanbod vir herstel. Daar is bevind in die studie dat
vroulike persone meer verskoning strategieë gebruik as manlike persone. Tweedens, vier
hoof verskoning strategieë, nl. versoek vir vergiffenis, eksplisiete verduideliking, aanbod
van 'n verskoning en die uitdrukking van 'n tekort aan bedoeling, is uitgebreid gebruik deur
sowel manlike as vroulike persone.
Trosborg (1995) noem agt klagte strategieë, naamlik skimpe, irritasie, sleg gevolge,
direkte klagtes, indirekte klagtes, gewysigde blaam (t.o.v. gedrag), en eksplisiete blaam
(t.o.v. 'n persoon). Die vroulike persone het meer klagte strategieë as manlike persone.
Vyf klagtestrategieë, naamlik direkte klagte, irritasie, sleg gevolge, indirekte klagte, en die
gewysigde blaam is uitgebreid gebruik deur sowel vroulike as manlike persone.
Hierdie studie werp lig op die verskillende wyses van hoe verskonings in Xhosa uitgedruk
word en klagtes in verskillende situasies. Hoe meer gepas 'n klagte of verskoning is, hoe
meer doeltreffend vind die kommunikasie plaas. Hierdie feit word geïllustreer deur die wyses waarop manlike en vroulike persone verskonings maak, soos aangetoon in die
studie.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/53477 |
| Date | 12 1900 |
| Creators | Nkunzi, Vuyani Allois |
| Contributors | Dlali, M, Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of African Languages. |
| Publisher | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | Xhosa |
| Detected Language | Unknown |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | 172 p. |
| Rights | Stellenbosch University |
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