Investigating request structures among the Anlos Requests strategies among the Anlos: A qualitative research
Keywords:
interdependency, interpersonal relationship, request performance, request strategies, request structures, social interactionAbstract
The purpose of this study is to investigate different request structures found among Anlo conversational participants in natural settings. It is intended to explore the various request strategies and responses to such strategies. 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). The findings revealed that Anlos as a socio-cultural group follow a particular sequence in making a request. The performance of request according to this sequence shows a person’s competence. The use of the address terms, the head act and then the adjuncts to the head act makes the whole requesting process to either be a face threatening or a face serving one. The adjunct to the head act helps to mitigate whatever imposition that may accompany the head act.
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References
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