Background of the Study
Cultural festivals serve as a vibrant stage for traditional language and communication practices. During the New Yam Festival in Cross River State, the Efik language is employed in a variety of pragmatic forms that reflect the celebratory and ritualistic nature of the event. Festive discourse is characterized by ceremonial greetings, blessings, and the use of specialized idioms and proverbs that convey respect, unity, and cultural pride (Nkanu, 2023). These pragmatic markers are integral to the performance of the festival, ensuring that the community’s values and historical narratives are communicated effectively. However, the increasing influence of modern media and urban lifestyles poses challenges to the maintenance of these traditional linguistic features. This study investigates how the New Yam Festival influences pragmatic language use in Efik by analyzing recorded festival events, participant interviews, and media content. It aims to understand how traditional pragmatic markers are preserved or transformed in a modernizing context while maintaining cultural integrity.
Statement of the Problem
The traditional pragmatic language used during the New Yam Festival in Cross River State is under threat from modern communication trends, which may dilute the cultural nuances embedded in Efik expressions (Nkanu, 2023). As younger generations are increasingly exposed to globalized media, the unique pragmatic markers associated with the festival risk erosion, leading to potential misinterpretations and loss of cultural heritage (Okon, 2024). There is a need to examine how these pragmatic elements are adapting and to develop strategies to sustain their effectiveness in conveying cultural values.
Objectives of the Study
To document pragmatic language practices during the New Yam Festival.
To assess the impact of modern influences on these practices.
To propose strategies for preserving traditional pragmatic markers.
Research Questions
What are the key pragmatic markers used in Efik during the festival?
How are these markers affected by modern influences?
What measures can preserve their cultural significance?
Significance of the Study
This study is significant as it assesses the influence of cultural festivals on pragmatic language use in Efik during the New Yam Festival, contributing to cultural preservation efforts. The findings will benefit cultural custodians, educators, and linguists by informing strategies to maintain traditional communication practices in a modernizing society (Nkanu, 2023; Okon, 2024).
Scope and Limitations of the Study
The study is limited to Efik language use during the New Yam Festival in Cross River State and does not extend to other cultural events.
Definitions of Terms
Cultural Festivals: Traditional events celebrating community heritage.
Pragmatic Language Use: The effective use of language in social contexts.
Efik Language: The indigenous language of the Efik people.
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