A PRAGMATIC STUDY OF GRATITUDE EXPRESSIONS AND RESPONSES IN AKAN

ABSTRACT This study examines gratitude expressions and gratitude expression responses in Akan. A qualitative design was adopted for the study and thirty native speakers of three dialects of Akan: Asante Twi, Akuapim Twi and Fante were conveniently sampled to partake in a role play. The findings indicate that there are various tokens used to realize gratitude expressions and gratitude expressions responses in Akan. However, the choice of a particular token is greatly influenced by sociological variables such as social distance and power. The study also shows that Akantry to avoid the use of thanking to express gratitude to their close friends, colleagues, or subordinates in order to save their faces. They rather expressbenedictionor compliment them to avoid any form of face threats.Again, the study reveals that speakers of Akan prefer the use of negative politeness strategy in response to gratitude expression. This is evident in their high inclination to minimize the favour in response to gratitude expressions. Also, gratitude expressions in Akan are internally modified by exclaim, address terms, and intensifiers and gratitude expression responses are also internally modified by exclaim and prepositional phrases. Further, Akanexpress gratitude and respond to gratitude expressions using proverbs, idioms, and hyperbolic expressions. Lastly, the study also shows that Akanshow their belief in God through their expressions of gratitude and responses to gratitude expressions.