A Relevance Theoretic Analysis of Dholuo Neologisms

Abstract

This dissertation was a study of the nature of Dholuo neologisms. The research problem focused on the comprehension process of Dholuo neologisms. The analysis was carried out within the framework of Relevance Theory. The data used in the study was drawn from native speakers of Kisumu-South Nyanza variety of Dholuo. Some of the data were also drawn from Ramogi FM, a radio station that broadcast in Dholuo. The research activities and findings are discussed in the four chapters of this research. Chapter one gives a general background on Dholuo and in addition, includes a detailed description of the research problem, objectives of the study, rationale, theoretical framework and the methodology. Chapter two concentrated on the morphological structure of Dholuo neologisms with an emphasis on the word formation processes involved in the formation of Dholuo neologism. The study demonstrated that derivation and compounding are involved in the formation of Dholuo neologisms. Also found to be involved in the formation of Dholuo neologisms are semantic extension and borrowing. The relationship between context and meanings of Dholuo neologisms was investigated in chapter three. It was observed that meanings of Dholuo neologisms are determined by the context brought to bear during their interpretation. The role of ad hoc concept of broadening in the interpretation of Dholuo neologisms was also analyzed in chapter three. Relevance Theory was used in the analysis. It was demonstrated that understanding Dholuo neologisms involves expanding the linguistically specified denotation of the logical form so as to include a wide range of other related concepts. In chapter four, it was concluded that broadening as ad hoc concept construction, brings out the meaning of Dholuo neologisms.