The drama of Senkatana by S.M. Mofokeng is analysed by applying principles provided
by speech act theory, using as basis the explication of the theory by Bach and Harnish
(1979). The socio-cultural context in the play has as its starting point the realm of myth
and legend. From here all categories of relationships within the protagonist/antagonist
encounter unfold, as do opposing sets of contextual beliefs characters rely on; these are
primarily responsible for the growing conflict in the drama. Enhancing the mythical
character of the play is the absorbing role played by the diboni, acting as seers, as
prophets and as additional 'authorial voice'. Their and those of other characters' speech
acts reflect this and more; they operate in a substantiated sign-system which provides
a framework for evaluating each semiotic act from locutionary, illocutionary and
perlocutionary dimensions of meaning.
Chapter 1 comprises a historical survey of studies on speech act theory, and includes
a brief summary of the position of the theory in the field of semiotics. The micro speech
act analysis of the play is facilitated by the division of the text into smaller action units
(summarised in Addendum 1).
Chapter 2, containing the greater part of the exposition, commences the narration of
the folktale and offers a clear rendering of the epic rise of the hero. Chapter 3 portrays
the rise and progress of the antagonists challenging the hero, coupled with intensifying
anxiety among the protagonists. Chapter 4 provides a vivid overview of how the values
of the hero triumph over those of the antagonist despite the physical slaying of the hero.
Chapter 5 offers a graphic outline of how the macro speech act is accomplished in the
play. It is shown how an investigation of the speech act profiles of characters, coupled
with the evaluation of illocutionary tactics and illocutionary/perlocutionary dynamics,
communicates significant information pertaining to characterisation. A graph illustrating
the rise and fall of micro speech acts within the larger macro speech act is provided in
Addendum 2. Suggestions are made regarding future research in literary texts. / African Languages / D.Lit. et Phil. (African Languages)
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:unisa/oai:uir.unisa.ac.za:10500/17109 |
| Date | 11 1900 |
| Creators | Kock, L. J. (Levina Jacoba) |
| Contributors | Swanepoel, C. F. |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | 1 online resource (v, 370 leaves) |
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