Background of the Study
Conversational repair strategies are essential tools used by speakers to correct miscommunications, clarify ambiguities, and ensure mutual understanding during interactions. In Calabar, Efik language interactions are characterized by a rich array of repair strategies, ranging from repetition and reformulation to clarification requests and nonverbal cues (Etim, 2023). Traditional Efik communicative practices emphasize the importance of maintaining face and ensuring clarity, making repair strategies a vital aspect of everyday discourse. These strategies are particularly evident in storytelling, market interactions, and communal gatherings, where the dynamic nature of conversation necessitates real-time adjustments. However, the influence of modern communication trends, such as digital media and urban speech patterns, may be altering these time-honored practices (Inyang, 2024). This study appraises how conversational repair strategies are employed in Efik interactions in Calabar, exploring their effectiveness and evolution in the contemporary context. Through detailed discourse analysis and ethnographic observations, the research aims to document the types of repair strategies used and assess their role in sustaining effective communication in a rapidly changing linguistic landscape.
Statement of the Problem
Despite their critical role, traditional conversational repair strategies in Efik interactions in Calabar are under pressure from modern communication practices that favor rapid, less reflective exchanges. This shift can lead to an increase in unresolved misunderstandings and a decrease in the richness of interactive repair mechanisms (Etim, 2023). The erosion of these strategies may undermine effective dialogue and weaken cultural transmission in Efik communities (Inyang, 2024). Limited research has focused on how these repair strategies are adapting in the face of digital and urban influences, highlighting a need to systematically assess their current usage and effectiveness.
Objectives of the Study
To document the range of conversational repair strategies in Efik interactions.
To evaluate their effectiveness in maintaining communication clarity.
To propose recommendations for preserving these strategies in modern contexts.
Research Questions
What repair strategies are most commonly used in Efik conversations?
How effective are these strategies in addressing misunderstandings?
How can traditional repair methods be preserved amid modern influences?
Significance of the Study
This study is significant as it examines the evolution of conversational repair strategies in Efik language interactions, providing insights into maintaining effective communication in changing environments. Its findings will benefit linguists, educators, and cultural practitioners by offering methods to support traditional communicative practices while adapting to modern trends (Etim, 2023; Inyang, 2024).
Scope and Limitations of the Study
The study is limited to examining conversational repair strategies in Efik interactions in Calabar and does not extend to other aspects of discourse.
Definitions of Terms
Conversational Repair: Strategies used to correct or clarify communication.
Efik Language: The indigenous language of the Efik people in Calabar.
Nonverbal Cues: Body language and gestures that aid communication.
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