A PRAGMATIC ANALYSIS OF DECLARATIVE ILLOCUTIONARY ACTS IN CHRISTIAN CONDOLENCE DISCOURSE ON SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS / ANALYSE PRAGMATIQUE DES ACTES ILLOCUTOIRES DÉCLARATIFS DANS LE DISCOURS DE CONDOLÉANCES CHRÉTIENNES SUR LES RÉSEAUX SOCIAUX

Martha Mbu Njui, Hadi Massai

Abstract


This paper examines the pragmatic analysis of declarative illocutionary acts in Christian condolence discourse on social media platforms, particularly Facebook and WhatsApp. Drawing on Speech Act Theory and Systemic Functional Linguistics, the paper explores how declarative acts function within digitally mediated religious communication. Using qualitative netnographic data drawn from naturally occurring interactions among Christian faithful, the paper identifies key patterns in declarative illocutionary acts such as absolution from God and expression of concern. The findings reveal that declarative condolence utterances function as faith-driven affirmations that construct spiritual realities, provide emotional comfort, and reinforce communal beliefs. These utterances are shaped by shared theological assumptions and contextual factors. The study contributes to sociopragmatic research by highlighting the intersection of religion, language, and digital communication.

Cet article examine les fonctions pragmatiques des actes illocutoires déclaratifs dans le discours de condoléances chrétien sur les réseaux sociaux, en particulier Facebook et WhatsApp. S'appuyant sur la théorie des actes de langage et la linguistique fonctionnelle systémique, cette étude explore la manière dont les énoncés déclaratifs fonctionnent dans la communication religieuse médiatisée par le numérique. À l'aide d'une approche netnographique qualitative, des données ont été recueillies à partir de messages de condoléances spontanés publiés par des utilisateurs chrétiens entre 2022 et 2024. L'analyse révèle que les actes illocutoires déclaratifs construisent des réalités spirituelles, affirment la miséricorde divine, apportent un réconfort émotionnel et renforcent l'identité religieuse communautaire. Ces énoncés sont façonnés par des croyances théologiques partagées et des normes socioculturelles régissant les pratiques de deuil chrétiennes. Cette étude contribue à la recherche sociopragmatique en mettant en évidence l'intersection entre religion, langage et communication numérique dans l'expression contemporaine du deuil.


Keywords


pragmatics, declarative illocutionary acts, condolence discourse, social media, Christian communication / pragmatique ; théorie des actes de langage ; actes illocutoires déclaratifs ; discours de condoléances chrétiennes ; communication sur les réseaux so

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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.46827/ejlll.v10i2.712

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