Author: ADEBISI TOYYIB ABDULWAHID
Researcher, Department of Arabic & Transnational Studies, University of Ilorin
Date: 01/11/2025
This study aims to analyze the second chapter of * Adventure in the Forest of Elegbeje* by Nigerian writer D. O. Fagunwa from a pragmatic perspective, drawing on Discourse Analysis frameworks and Pragmatics theories such as Speech Act Theory, Grice’s Cooperative Principle, Politeness Theory, and Cultural Pragmatics. The research focuses on how characters and dialogues in the text function as linguistic acts that go beyond literal meaning to convey social and cultural dimensions. A qualitative method of textual analysis was applied, emphasizing the role of Nigerian socio-cultural contexts in shaping meaning. The study concludes that the novel should not be read merely as a fictional work but as a cultural discourse reflecting systems of values and perceptions, built on various pragmatic strategies including implicature, conversational maxims, and cultural presuppositions. The findings highlight the importance of applying pragmatic analysis to translated African literature in order to achieve a deeper understanding of the relationship between language, culture, and context.
Keywords: Adventure, Forest of Elegbeje, Discourse Analysis, Pragmatics, Speech Act Theory
Download PDF