LANGUAGE IN INDIA

Strength for Today and Bright Hope for Tomorrow

Volume 14:11 November 2014
ISSN 1930-2940

Managing Editor: M. S. Thirumalai, Ph.D.
Editors: B. Mallikarjun, Ph.D.
         Sam Mohanlal, Ph.D.
         B. A. Sharada, Ph.D.
         A. R. Fatihi, Ph.D.
         Lakhan Gusain, Ph.D.
         Jennifer Marie Bayer, Ph.D.
         S. M. Ravichandran, Ph.D.
         G. Baskaran, Ph.D.
         L. Ramamoorthy, Ph.D.
         C. Subburaman, Ph.D. (Economics)
Assistant Managing Editor: Swarna Thirumalai, M.A.

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Ways of Using Refusal Utterances:
A Pragmatic Study of Refusal Speech Act in Manipuri

Takhellambam Sandhyalata Devi, Ph.D. Student
Prof. P. Madhubala Devi


Abstract

Communication can sometimes lead to misunderstanding if it is not used in an appropriate situation. So, caution must be taken while using refusal utterances. Since it is a rejection to offer, invitation, request or suggestion which can hurt someone’s feeling. Manipuri employs various ways of using refusals because in Manipuri’s culture, great importance is paid in maintaining respect to others. Communication should be done in a non-threatening way, saving each other’s face to maintain harmony among them.

The present study aims to discover the different strategies of using refusal utterances in Manipuri. First, the paper starts with a general introduction of speech act along with an explanation of refusal speech act. Then, refusal speech act is described under two headings - direct and indirect refusals. Sub-sections under these headings are organized and studied thoroughly. Indirect refusals are studied here in a wider perspective since native speaker of Manipuri uses indirect refusals more frequently than that of the direct one. In this paper, refusals are also analysed under a small section, that is, substantive and ritual refusals. Then, conclusion ends the paper summing up the whole analysis.

Keywords:speech act, refusal speech act, direct refusals, indirect refusals, ritual refusals.

Introduction

To have a complete knowledge of a particular language does not mean knowing only how to utter a number of grammatically correct sentences. One has to know its culture, appropriate context of usage and a total pragmatic competence to have a meaningful and a successful communication. It is very much important to know the various forms of speech act of that particular language.

In pragmatics, speech act occupies an important place. The major contribution to the study of speech acts was done by J.L. Austin, followed by Searle.

“To communicate we must express propositions with a particular illocutionary force, and in so doing we perform particular kinds of action, such as stating, promising, or warning, which have come to be called speech acts” (Cruse,2004:345).

Here, in this paper, emphasis will be given to refusal speech acts in Manipuri. Refusals also occupy a major part in speech acts.


This is only the beginning part of the article. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE IN PRINTER-FRIENDLY VERSION.


Takhellambam Sandhyalata Devi, Ph.D. Student
Department of Linguistics
Manipur University
Imphal
Canchipur - 795003
Manipur
India
shandhatatakhel@gmail.com

Dr. P. Madhubala Devi
Professor
Department of Linguistics
Manipur University
Imphal
Canchipur - 795003
Manipur
India
pmadhubala@gmail.com


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