Abstract:
This study examines gratitude expressions and gratitude expression responses in
Akan. A qualitative design was adopted for the study and thirty native speakers of
three dialects of Akan: Asante Twi, Akuapim Twi and Fante were conveniently
sampled to partake in a role play. The findings indicate that there are various tokens
used to realize gratitude expressions and gratitude expressions responses in Akan.
However, the choice of a particular token is greatly influenced by sociological
variables such as social distance and power. The study also shows that Akantry to
avoid the use of thanking to express gratitude to their close friends, colleagues, or
subordinates in order to save their faces. They rather expressbenedictionor
compliment them to avoid any form of face threats.Again, the study reveals that
speakers of Akan prefer the use of negative politeness strategy in response to
gratitude expression. This is evident in their high inclination to minimize the favour in
response to gratitude expressions. Also, gratitude expressions in Akan are internally
modified by exclaim, address terms, and intensifiers and gratitude expression
responses are also internally modified by exclaim and prepositional phrases. Further,
Akanexpress gratitude and respond to gratitude expressions using proverbs, idioms,
and hyperbolic expressions. Lastly, the study also shows that Akanshow their belief in
God through their expressions of gratitude and responses to gratitude expressions.
Description:
A THESIS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF APPLIED LINGUISTICS, FACULTY
OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION,
SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES, UNIVERSITY
OF EDUCATION, AND WINNEBA IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE
REQUIREMENT FOR AWARD OF THE MASTER OF PHILOSOPHY
(APPLIED LINGUISTICS) DEGREE.
AUGUST, 2017.