4.2.9. Dominant Positive Politeness Strategies Deployed by Madonna
would and could are more likely than other forms to be ambivalent in carrying the indirect meaning of a request, rather than, the direct meaning of a question’ (Pragmatics154). By implication, it means that if the female student had used the expression, ‘Can you do the M.C for us tomorrow?’ she may be asking a question about Stephane’s ability to do the M.C. for them the next day or just a request for information. Furthermore, he observes that expressions such as
‘Will you take a seat’? may be seen as an offer or a request for information. He then affirms that could you or would you are more clearly located in request territory (155). In sum, the use of the past tense form of the modal gives an utterance the indirect characteristeric of a polite request.
Conversely, the present form of modals can or will can be used in interactions depending on the nature of the speech act. Offers can begin with Can I or can we which of course, shares a border line between offers and requests. For example, Can I, can begin a request for permission and it can also be used for offers as in:
Can I get you some food to eat?
Here, can means permission, rather than ability. This is sequel to the fact that the person who asked the question was sure of his/her ability to get some food for hearer but seeking permission to get the food.
4.2.9.2. Use of Vocatives
Leech asserts that a vocative (or term of address) refers to the addressee(s) of an utterance, and has at least three pragmatic functions:
i. To appeal for attention, that is, making it clear to hearer that he/she is being addressed
ii. To single out the addressee, i.e making it clear that hearer, and not some other person within earshot, is being addressed
iii. To establish and/or maintain a social relationship with hearer (Pragmatics 172).
In the use of vocatives, the undergraduates of Madonna University use vocatives like Hey and first names to signal a known individual, an acquaintance or a friend rather than as a stranger.
However, in addressing their superiors, the students employ the use of title and surname form.
The research observes the use of the following vocatives:
Excerpt 68
Hey you girl (A girl smiling and waving at another girl) Another Instance:
Excerpt 69
Two male students in front of Political Science Department First male student: Guy, how far?
Second male student: Men, I full ground. I want see Mr. Bassey.
Leech opines that the use of title + surname makes an address form more formal and polite (Pragmatics 172). In the excerpts, the students address their peers with vocatives like ‘Hey!’ but address their lecturers in the appropriate address forms given the social gap.
4.2.9.3. Apologies
The researcher noticed that the students use apologies in different ways depending on the purpose they want to achieve. In some situations, they apologize even before the request. This position is in line with Leech who observes that an apology or ‘excuse me’ added before the request itself functions as a proactive disarming gesture of politeness and also as an alerter to get the attention of the hearer (Pragmatics 171).
Excerpt 70
A master of ceremony and a male student during a programme organized by Madonna Talent Hunt (MATH):
Master of Ceremony: Excuse me, could you speak up a bit.
Male student: Adjusts his voice and speaks a bit louder.
The use of the expression, ‘Excuse me could you speak up a bit’ is used to maximize the politeness in the polite expression between the master of ceremony and the male student.
4.2.9.4. Jokes
The use of jokes is another way that the undergraduates of Madonna University tend to express positive politeness.
Excerpt 71
Four students (three males and one female) were sitting in the Mass Communication classroom opposite Father Founder’s Office waiting to be called in for their first semester examination:
First male student: Chaai! Look at Ezekiel’s head oo! It is emitting smoke O!
Please somebody should bring some water.
Female student: (Touches Ezekiel’s head and removes her hand) Second male student: The guy don read tire!
Third male student: See this awoko guy wey dey talk say person head dey hot!
Comot for here.
The students use jokes to show familiarity. Brown and Levinson share the same view when they express that jokes are basic positive-politeness technique for putting hearer at ease and it is based on mutually shared background knowledge and values (124).
4.2.9.5. Slang/Jargons
The undergraduates of Madonna University use slangy expressions and jargons to show friendliness among their peers.
Excerpt 72
Two female students in front of Vianney Hostel:
First female student: Where you dey go?
Second female student: I want see Papa Emmy. (I want to use the toilet.) The study also observes other slangy expressions and jargons like:
I will mend you oo! (I will beat you.) I will Suarez you (I will bite you.)
Other slangy expressions observed among the undergraduates are attached in the appendix.
4.2.9.6. Euphemism
The work observes that the students, often times, use euphemisms to replace other words which would have been considered offensive or embarrassing.
Excerpt 73
About twenty students were seated at Pavilion D during a competition organized by Infant Jesus Society:
Moderator: We should be serious with our studies so that we don’t end up as home managers after graduation.
The word home managers have been substituted for house wives. So, instead of using the low word, housewives, which may sound somehow offensive, the moderator used the word, house managers. Besides, the researcher observes that the students have words for some taboo words which they use slang to recode. Such re-codification makes it pleasant to the ears. The list of slang used as euphemisms is attached in the appendix.
Moreover, the researcher heard a student use this expression:
Excerpt 74
The Deputy-Vice Chancellor’s wife fell asleep on 6th September, 2015 to mean that she died on 6th September, 2015.