The semantics and sociopragmatics of possession in Kiswahili

Abstract

This article is about the semantics and sociopragmatics of possession in Kiswahili. It focuses specifically on different interpretations of  possessive constructions in Kiswahili. The article connects the issue of possession with the concept of speaker meaning by taking into  account both pronominal and adnominal possessive constructions. Data were collected from social media (Youtube, Facebook) and  casual conversations to access the actual use of spoken Kiswahili. The article reveals that possessive constructions in Kiswahili convey  various meanings, depending on their context of use. The study further notes that there are several interpretations attached to  pronominal possessions. Through these constructions, the speaker indirectly implies different meanings which are to be deciphered by  the addressee. The study shows that different possessive pronouns (including the inclusive first person plural possessive pronoun and  second person possessive pronoun) are used deliberately by speakers to convey different messages and perform several functions such  as showing solidarity, as indirectly requesting assistance and creating a sense of community. The article argues that, in interpreting  possessive constructions, one has to consider both linguistic and extra-linguistic factors like world knowledge, culture, speaker  personality and speaker-hearer relationship.