Pragmatics: Exploring language use by younger generations in Pedi families

South African Journal of Communication Disorders

 
 
Field Value
 
Title Pragmatics: Exploring language use by younger generations in Pedi families
 
Creator Mogolane, Mamaila J. Neille, Joanne Sher, Jenna
 
Subject Speech-Language Pathology; Pragmatics; Linguistics; Cultural Studies Pedi; culture; pragmatics; verbal language; non-verbal language; speech-language pathologists; families; cultural norms
Description Background: The people of the Pedi culture place great value on, and take pride in, adhering to their culture, as reflected in the manner in which they communicate verbally and non-verbally. However, little is documented about the ways in which verbal and non-verbal language is used socially by the younger generations in the Pedi culture.Objectives: This article examines how verbal and non-verbal social language skills and functions are used by the younger generations in Pedi families.Method: A qualitative research design was employed, underpinned by the principles of direct participant observations and semi-structured interviews. A total of 22 participants from seven families were included, and the data were analysed through thematic analysis.Results: The results showed how younger generations in Pedi families respectfully execute verbal and non-verbal social language skills and functions.Conclusion: Understanding the cultural nuances of communication in the Pedi culture, including respect expressed through verbal and non-verbal cues, is critical for speech-language pathologists (SLPs). By recognising these cultural practices as differences rather than deficits, SLPs can provide more effective, respectful and culturally appropriate interventions.Contribution: The findings of this study contribute to a broader understanding of how language is used in the Pedi culture and offer valuable insights for practitioners working with clients from diverse cultural backgrounds. Moreover, these findings call for a more inclusive approach to pragmatics in speech-language pathology that acknowledges the rich diversity of communication practices worldwide.
 
Publisher AOSIS
 
Contributor Nurturing Emerging Scholars Programme
Date 2025-08-26
 
Type info:eu-repo/semantics/article info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion — Qualitative; Direct participant observations; Semi-structured interviews
Format text/html application/epub+zip text/xml application/pdf
Identifier 10.4102/sajcd.v72i1.1097
 
Source South African Journal of Communication Disorders; Vol 72, No 1 (2025); 11 pages 2225-4765 0379-8046
 
Language eng
 
Relation
The following web links (URLs) may trigger a file download or direct you to an alternative webpage to gain access to a publication file format of the published article:

https://sajcd.org.za/index.php/sajcd/article/view/1097/2526 https://sajcd.org.za/index.php/sajcd/article/view/1097/2527 https://sajcd.org.za/index.php/sajcd/article/view/1097/2528 https://sajcd.org.za/index.php/sajcd/article/view/1097/2529
 
Coverage Mahwelereng Zone 1; Limpopo — 6-77 years; Males and females; Afrricans
Rights Copyright (c) 2025 Mamaila J. Mogolane, Joanne Neille, Jenna Sher https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
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