PRAGMATIC ANALYSIS OF THE INSCRIPTIONS ON MOTOR-VEHICLES AND SIGNBOARDS

Samaila Yakubu, Yusuf Tsojon Ishaya

Abstract


This paper analyzes the inscriptions on the motor-vehicles and signboards in Taraba State of Nigeria. Samples of inscriptions and signs were collected and analyzed using Austin’s Speech Act Theory which was later developed by Searle. The result of the analysis showed that each inscription has a connotative meaning, that is, meaning beyond the denotative or literary level. It was observed that contextual factors contribute a lot to the pragmatic meanings of the inscriptions. The paper concluded that to grasp the meanings embedded in inscriptions on motor-vehicles and signboards, readers should analyze them beyond their denotative or literal meanings.

 

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Keywords


pragmatics, speech acts, inscriptions, signboards, motor-vehicles

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References


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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.46827/ejlll.v6i1.338

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