Pragmatic Presupposition of Galatians 2:20

Authors

  • Samuel Ayodele Dada Department of English, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti
  • Omoregbe Esohe Mercy Department of Linguistics and African Languages, University of Benin, Benin City

Keywords:

stylistics, semantics, pragmatics, presupposition, Paul and context

Abstract

The study examines pragmatic presupposition of Galatians 2: 20, a notable verse of the Scriptures written by Paul, an Apostle. The study aims to investigate that aspect of meaning which is derived not from the formal properties of words and constructions but from the way in which utterances are used and how they relate to the context in which they are uttered (cf. Leech & Short, 1987). The study shuns a superficial analysis by adopting a pragma-stylistic framework. Speech acts, presupposition, inference and mutual contextual beliefs (MCB) were used to interpret the meaning of the text.

As evident from the study, there are several approaches to understanding a text, however, in order to read and interpret in the light of what the text is saying, that is, in terms of its intended purposes, a pragmatic approach becomes inevitable. The analysis has provided more intellectual insights into the theory of language variation and variation in usage. It has also enhanced the frontiers of pragmatics and cognitive linguistics.

 

References

• Adetunji, A. (2009) ‘Acts in the Second Inaugural Addresses of Nigeria’s President Olusegun Obasanjo and America’s President George Bush’ In Odebunmi, A., Arua, E.A. and Arimi, S. (eds.) Language Gender and Politics: A Festschrift for Yisa Kehinde Yusuf. Lagos : Concept Publications Ltd.275-296.

• Austin, J.L.(1962) How to Do Things with Words London: Oxford University Press.

• Bach, K. and Harnish, R. (1979). Linguistic Communication and Speech Acts. Cambridge : M.I.T.Press.

• Dada, S.A. (2010) ‘A Speech Act Analysis of Slogans of Telecoms Companies in Nigeria.’ In Kuupole, D.D. and Bariki, I. (Ed.) Applied Social Dimensions of Language Use and Teaching in west Africa. Festschrift in Honour of Professor Tunde Ajiboye. Ghana: The University Press. 52-62.

• Dada, S.A. (2012) ‘A Pragma-stylistic Analysis of John 3:16’ International Journal of English Linguistics Vol.2, No.5. 85-93

• Finch, G. (2000). Linguistic Terms and Concepts. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.

• Grice, H. P (1975) ‘Logic and Conversation’ In Cole, P. and Morgan, J. L.(eds.) Syntax and Semantics 3, Speech Act. London: Academy Press.41-48.

• Lawal, A.(2003). Pragmatics in Stylistics: A Speech Act Analysis of Soyinka’s ‘Telephone Conversation’. In A. Lawal (Ed.) .) Stylistics in Theory and Practice Ilorin: Paragon Books. 150-173.

• Leech, G. (1983) The Principles pf Pragmatics. London: Longman

• Leech, G.N and Short, M.H. (1987) Style in Fiction: A Linguistic Introduction to English Prose. London: Longman.

• Leech, G. and J. Thomas (1990) ‘Langauage Meaning and Context:Pragmatics’ In An Encyclopedia of Language (Ed.) Collin, N.E. London: Routledge. 173-201.

• Levinson, S.C. (1995) Pragmatics Cambridge: Cambridge Unversity Press.

• Wisniewski, K. (2007) available at wisniewski Jezyk angielski online.htm

• Wales, K. (1989) A Dictionary of Stylistics London : Longman

• Yule, G. (1996). Pragmatics. London: Oxford University Press

Downloads

Published

2013-12-14

How to Cite

Dada, S. A., & Mercy, O. E. (2013). Pragmatic Presupposition of Galatians 2:20. Asian Journal of Humanities and Social Studies, 1(5). Retrieved from https://ajouronline.com/index.php/AJHSS/article/view/602