Abstract
M.A. (Afrikaans)
A linguistic study can be approached in many ways. In this study
language usage is viewed from a pragmatic angle. One type of
discourse, namely a written literary discourse, and a drama in
particular, is used as a point of departure in order to illustrate a
certain discourse element.
The drama, Moeders en Dogters by Corlia Fourie, is placed within a
speech act framework and is seen as a macro speech act. By
concentrating on one element of the discourse, namely conversation
strategy, it is the intention to show how this discourse element,
which appears in the illocutionary units of the drama, can be linked
to the intention of the abstract author. This intent ion manifests
itself as illocution in the drama which is directed at achieving a
specific perlocution on the part of the audience/reader.
Chapter two discusses the communication process, the term discourse
and the various aspects of discourse that are relevant for this
study, namely the different types of discourse, the process by which
discourse comes into being, the structure of the discourse and
discourse strategies. Different types of discourse strategies are
pointed out and subsequently one discourse strategy, namely
conversation strategy is concentrated on. The role and function of
conversation strategies are highlighted and one type of conversation
strategy, namely turn-taking, is isolated.
The dualistic character of turn-taking, firstly as conversation
strategy and secondly as structure element, is discussed in chapter
three. The functioning of turn-taking patterns in Moeders en
Dogters is illustrated, and subsequently certain conclusions are
drawn concerning the relation between turn-taking on the one hand
and conversation rules, illusion , perlocution, other conversation
strategies and conve r se t i on units, on the other hand.
Chapter four concentrates on the way in which turn taking patterns
between the characters in combination with the temporal-spatial
context within which the drama takes place, can be redirected to the
intention of the abstract author, which is aimed at a specific
perlocution on the part of the audience/reader. By pointing out
this relation, the function of conversation strategies (and
specifically in this case turn- taking as conversation strategy,)
will be made clear, namely that it operates as a binding discourse
element that leads to cohesion in the first place and eventually to
coherency within the discourse.