Orientation in request making among the Anlos
Keywords:
OrientationAbstract
The primary aim of this study is to investigate different orientations in request making by Anlo conversational participants in natural settings. This purpose hinges on the background that requests in Anlo may be direct or indirect. The study employs qualitative research design. The population for this study is from three out of the thirty-six indigenous Anlo towns. In all, thirty-six respondents made up of children (aged between 9 and 14 years), youth (aged between 15 and 39 years) and the elderly (aged from 40 years and above) were selected from the three sites. The data collection instruments used for this study are observation, interview, role play and the use of discourse completion tests (D.C.Ts). Request as a socio-cultural event can be seen in terms of the participant whose perspective is much crucial to the performance of the request. The analysis has showed that the perspective from which the interlocutors view the request determines whether it should be granted or denied. The four orientations namely addressee orientation, speaker orientation, speaker and addressee orientation and lastly, request for permission for third party assistance are all relevant in Anlo. We are encouraged to ask our needs from those we think are in position to provide them for us.
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