UNE PERSPECTIVE PRAGMATIQUE DES ECARTS DE LA NORME LINGUISTIQUE ET ROMANESQUE DANS ALLAH N’EST PAS OBLIGÉ

ABSTRACT

This dissertation is a pragmatic study of the linguistic and literary deviations in Kourouma‟s novels, with special emphasis on Allah n’est pas obligé, his picaresque novel in which he makes an original use of the French language giving it a special local coloration and twist. It takes into account the historical, linguistic and cultural, sociopolitical contexts, and the peculiarity of the author‟s utterance and statement regarding the real social vices bedeviling the African continent. The study therefore adopted the ethnostylistics approach to literary art which rooted objectively the analysis of the novel in the African context. The analysis revealed that the French language as used by Kourouma was a deliberate attempt to adopt and adapt the European language to the African context so as to fully express his uneasiness as well as the real thought and feeling of his native Malinke people and by extension Africans. In the process of the adaptation of the French language, Kourouma tried to create, validate and promote its regional usage. It also laid bare five (5) functions that underpin Kourouma‟s approach to literary discourse. Finally, the study argues that the message of Kourouma‟s literary discourse, as part of the communication process, is addressed to both readers in Africa and beyond. The diaglossic nature of the writer‟s discourse also demonstrates his concern to be heard and understood by all social classes.