Mikakati ya Upole kwenye Hafla za Mazishi: Mifano Kutoka katika Baadhi ya Jamiilugha za Waluhya

Abstract

Swahili

Makala hii inachunguza mikakati ya upole inayotumika katika hafla za mazishi miongoni mwa baadhi ya jamiilugha za Waluhya na jinsi inavyochangia katika kukabiliana na matendo ya usemi yanayotishia nyuso za waombolezaji. Utafiti uliongozwa na Nadharia ya Upole ya Leech iliyoboreshwa na Alabdali. Ulitumia mkabala wa kithamano, ambapo data zilikusanywa kupitia uchunzaji shirikishi na mijadala ya makundi. Jumla ya washiriki 40 (wanawake 20 na wanaume 20) walishiriki katika mijadala ya makundi, huku mahatibu 48 (12 kutoka katika kila jamiilugha teule) wakifanyiwa uchunzaji walipokuwa wakihutubu katika hafla za mazishi. Data zilizokusanywa katika mfumo wa hotuba na rekodi za uchunzaji zilisimbwa, zikapangwa katika makundi ya kimaudhui na kuchanganuliwa kwa kuzingatia malengo ya utafiti pamoja na nadharia iliyoongoza utafiti. Matokeo yalionyesha kuwa mahatibu walitumia mikakati mbalimbali ya upole katika kutoa rambirambi, ikiwemo kanuni ya kumsifu msikilizaji, kanuni ya kujitweza, kanuni ya maafikiano, kanuni ya kutojisifu na kanuni ya huruma. Utafiti ulihitimisha kuwa matumizi ya mikakati ya upole huchangia kuendesha hafla za mazishi kwa amani na kudumisha mahusiano mema kati ya waombolezaji. Aidha, wanajamiilugha za Waluhya wanapaswa kuwa na umilisi wa kipragmatiki wa jamiilugha nyingine wanazotagusana nazo ili kuheshimu kanuni za upole. Makala inapendekeza kuwa tafiti zijazo zichunguze udhihirisho wa mikakati ya upole katika jamiilugha nyingine za Waluhya.

English

This study aimed to analyse politeness strategies used by speakers during funeral events among the Isukha, Maragoli, Bukusu, and Tiriki speech communities. In funeral ceremonies, social relationships may be initiated, strengthened, or disrupted depending on how language is used. Although linguistic pragmatics emphasises the use of polite language to mitigate Face Threatening Acts (FTAs) directed at mourners and the deceased, limited research has examined how specific Luhya speech communities employ politeness strategies during funeral ceremonies. Guided by the Social Constructivist paradigm, the study adopted a qualitative research design and was anchored in Leech’s Politeness Theory as revised by Alabdali. Purposive sampling was used to select 40 informants, comprising 20 men and 20 women, who participated in Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), with 10 respondents selected from each speech community. In addition, 48 speakers, 12 from each speech community, were observed while delivering condolence messages. Data were collected through participant observation and FGD schedules and analysed inductively using thematic analysis. The findings revealed that speakers employed politeness strategies such as praising interlocutors, acknowledging mourners’ social status, and expressing sympathy. The study concluded that the use of polite language among Luhya speech communities could contribute to the peaceful conduct of funeral ceremonies. It recommends that members of the respective Luhya speech communities develop pragmatic competence in the use of polite language to promote social harmony. The study contributes new knowledge on the use of politeness strategies in cross-cultural communication during funeral ceremonies.

Key words: Burial ceremonies, Luhya language communities, politeness strategies, speakers.