A pragmatic analysis of gikuyu lexical euphemism in hiv/aids discourse

Abstract

The most significant strategy in curbing the spread of HIV has been declared to be behaviour change. It takes language to persuade people to change their behaviour. This study is essentially an investigation on language use in Gikuyu HIV/AIDS discourse. It makes a pragmatic exploration of the lexical euphemisms as substitutes to what is Taboo in Gikuyu speech community which includes the cultural inferences. The primary aim of the study was to establish whether the HIV/AIDS message is effectively and politely communicated given the rampant use of euphemisms. Data was collected from four workshops attended within Kiambu District. Two vernacular songs were also used and one V. C. T centre was visited. The researcher was also able to generate data from her own experience as a Trainer of Trainers in mY/AIDs. The collected data was then analyzed using Brown & Levinson (1987) Politeness Theory and the 1975 Grice Second Theory of Implicature. The results of the data analysis showed that euphemisms sometimes act as communication hindrances especially where the speaker and the hearer belong to different social groups in terms of age, gender or occupation. Although euphemisms are used as a politeness strategy, the study found out that some of them are still face threatening. Women were seen as more polite than men and thus the message was less face threatening. This thesis is organized in such a way that chapter one gives a summary of the general framework of the study. It displays the background to the study, statement of the problem, the set objectives, hypothesis and theoretical and methodological frameworks that have motivated the study. The chapter also presents literature review. In chapter two, the general communication and politeness concerns are discussed against a backdrop of Gikiiyii cultural framework. Here we assess the relationship between taboo and euphemism, sources of Gikuyu HlV/AIDS euphemisms, linguistic taboo and polite practices in Gikuyu cultural setting, and finally the universal harmonization of HIV / AIDS euphemisms. Chapter three interrogates politeness strategies and attitudes seen in Gikuyu HIV/AIDS discourse with particular reference to euphemisms. In the chapter, we consider the attitudes and politeness strategies as affected by various social factors. In chapter four the study investigates the implicature and cooperation portrayed in a euphemistic MY/AIDS discourse. Finally, a summary of findings, recommendations, and suggestions for further research are presented in chapter five.