Persuasion in selected Sesotho drama texts

Date
2009-12
Authors
Moorosi, Mabitle
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study examined persuasion in selected drama texts from the literary period 1981 to 2006. The selection was organised through the examination of two such texts in each of the following three periods: • 1981–1989: Le ka nketsang and Mpowane • 1990–1999: Bana ba khomo tsa batho and Tsiketsing sa qomatsi • 2000–2006: Ha le fahloe habeli and Leholimo la phetloa Since persuasion is a relatively new topic in literature, particularly in African languages, the study examined the persuasion strategies used in the selected texts. These strategies either entail persuasion applied purely as an upfront aspect for changing the targets’ attitudes, behaviours, beliefs or opinions or entail certain situations during which the persuaders, as literary characters, employ another type (or types) of persuasion – coercion, manipulation or propaganda – in order to change the targets. The main thrust of this thesis was the persuasive tactics or techniques that might be applied by literary characters in an attempt to stimulate change in other literary characters. The study also examined whether additional persuasive interactions are employed to motivate change in others and whether counter-persuasive actions are employed to resist the proposed change. Chapter One introduces the aspect of persuasion as propounded by persuasion practitioners and experts and gives the framework of the study as a whole. Chapter Two initiates the literature review on the goals-plans-action (GPA) model as part of the psychological theories on persuasive messages produced by various interactants. This model presupposes reasons for persuaders to create certain plans for achieving their goals. Chapter Three is concerned with Le ka nketsang and Mpowane as the selected 1981 to 1989 drama texts. Chapter Four concentrates on Bana ba khomo tsa batho and Tsiketsing sa qomatsi from the 1990 to 1999 literary period. Chapter Five deals with the literary period 2000 to 2006 and analyses the two drama texts Ha le fahloe habeli and Leholimo la phetloa. Chapter Six draws a conclusion from the findings on persuasive strategies and makes observations, per chapter, on the persuasive attempts from each literary period.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie het oorreding in geselekteerde dramatekste uit die letterkundige tydperk 1981 tot 2006 ondersoek. Die seleksie is georganiseer deur twee sodanige tekste in elk van die onderstaande drie tydperke te ondersoek: • 1981–1989: Le ka nketsang en Mpowane • 1990–1999: Bana ba khomo tsa batho en Tsiketsing sa qomatsi • 2000–2006: Ha le fahloe habeli en Leholimo la phetloa Aangesien oorreding relatief nuwe onderwerp in die letterkunde is, in die besonder in Afrikatale, het die studie ondersoek ingestel na die oorredingstrategieë wat in die geselekteerde tekste gebruik is. Hierdie strategieë behels óf oorreding wat toegepas word suiwer as spontane aspek vir verandering van die houdings, gedrag, oortuigings of menings van die teikens, óf dit behels sekere situasies waartydens die oorreders, as letterkundige karakters, ander soort (of soorte) oorreding – dwang, manipulering of propaganda – gebruik ten einde die teikens te verander. Die belangrikste dryfkrag van hierdie tesis was die oorredende taktieke of tegnieke wat deur letterkundige karakters toegepas kan word in poging om verandering in ander letterkundige karakters aan te moedig. Die studie het ook nagegaan of addisionele oorredende interaksies ingespan word om verandering in ander te motiveer en of teen-oorredende optrede gebruik word om weerstand te bied teen die voorgestelde verandering. Hoofstuk Een stel die aspek van oorreding bekend soos dit by oorredingspraktisyns en deskundiges aangebied word, en gee die raamwerk van die studie as geheel. Hoofstuk Twee onderneem die literatuurstudie oor die doelstellings-planne-optrede (DPO)-model as deel van die sielkundige teorieë oor oorredende boodskappe soos gelewer deur verskeie persone wat in interaksie tree. Hierdie model voorveronderstel redes vir oorreders om sekere planne te ontwikkel vir die bereiking van hulle doelstellings. Hoofstuk Drie word gewy aan Le ka nketsang en Mpowane as die geselekteerde dramatekste uit die tydperk 1981 tot 1989. Hoofstuk Vier konsentreer op Bana ba khomo tsa batho en Tsiketsing sa qomatsi uit die tydperk 1990 tot 1999. Hoofstuk Vyf dek die letterkundige tydperk 2000 tot 2006, en analiseer die twee dramatekste Ha le fahloe habeli en Leholimo la phetloa. Hoofstuk Ses kom tot gevolgtrekking na aanleiding van die bevindings oor oorredende strategieë en maak waarnemings, per hoofstuk, oor die oorredende pogings van elke letterkundige tydperk.
Description
Thesis (DLitt (African Languages))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009.
Keywords
Sesotho, Dissertations -- African languages, Theses -- African languages
Citation