Analysis of language use in Cigogo bride price negotiations

This study examined the language used in bride price negotiations (BPN) in Cigogo. Specifically, it examined turn-taking during BPN, identified the utterances used, and interpreted the meanings of the identified utterances. The study adopted the Ethnography of Communication as its theoretical framework. Purposive and simple random sampling techniques were used. Data were collected through observation, focus group discussion (FGD) and interviews. Three events of BPN were observed, and a total of 39 participants participated in the study. Data were analysed qualitatively through the description of key themes using Hymes’ setting, participants, ends, act sequence, key, instrumentalities, norms of interaction and interpretation and genre (S. P. E. A. K. I. N. G) factors. The analysis concentrated on four elements of the components which are setting, participants, act sequence, as well as norms of interaction and interpretation. The findings reveal that in negotiating bride price speakers are pre-selected by the father of the fiancée and fiancé prior to the BPN event, and a speaker from the fiancé’s side is the initiator of the conversations. Additionally, the findings show that in negotiating bride price, Cigogo speakers maintain some of their culturally important elements such as the use of clan names, use of metaphors, idiomatic expressions, humor, as well as the special use of pronouns. In fact, interlocutors depend on their cultural knowledge to interpret the situational meanings of the utterances. It is recommended that studies should be done on language use in other ritual events in Cigogo such as political meetings, litigations, greetings, condolences, as well as curses especially in Cinyambwa and Cinyaugogo dialects.