Linguistic Features of Kakawing Speeches: A Critical Discourse Analysis

Abstract

This study took a serious and more probing look at one of the most interesting and well-developed art forms – i.e. Meranaw orature, rhetoric, or public speaking, specifically ceremonial speeches delivered at formal occasions during weddings. The study is qualitative and ethnographicas as it involved participant-observation.  Using Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) as enunciated by Norman Fairclough (1995) and Textual Analysis of Teun Van Dijk (1998), this study aimed to identify the linguistic features of the ceremonial speeches and discover the values reflected that shaped the ideology of the Meranaws. The values dicoveres were classified to three frameworks-social, political and religious.The findings revealed that Meranaw speech is rich with islamic lexicons that praises Allah, compliments and honorifics, lietmotifs, local words, idiomatics expression and figures of speech which describes the nature of marriage and its relevance in Meranaw society. The study revealed that the values identified defined and shaped what is essential among the Meranaws-the concept of Bangsa (clan). Marriage among the Meranaws is not just a union between the bride and groom but the union of the clans to maintan the status que of the family and preserve purity of the blood line. Marriage is used to impower and elevate the status of the family through kathothonganaya (close family ties), kapagisa-isa (unity) and kambatabata (tightening relationship).