Aspectos da polidez lingüística em sheng - língua urbana de Nairóbi

Abstract

RESUMOEsta dissertação propõe-se estudar, em contextos específicos, o fenômeno da polidez lingüística em sheng. Para atingir esse objetivo abordaremos, inicialmente, as teorias sobre polidez lingüística dentro do panorama da sociopragmática, apresentando tanto as teorias mais tradicionais, surgidas nos anos 70, quanto as mais recentes, todas desenvolvidas principalmente em países anglófonos. Em seguida, traçaremos um perfil da situação lingüística do Quênia e trataremos especificamente do sheng em Nairóbi. Finalmente, serão descritas as expressões em sheng utilizadas nas situações de abertura e fechamento de conversações, agradecimentos, pedidos de desculpas e outras que potencialmente podem ser avaliadas como polidas. Essa análise permitirá verificar se, mesmo em uma situação social de extrema exclusão, como a vivida pela comunidade de Mukuru, em Nairóbi, onde a mera questão de sobrevivência torna-se uma luta diária, os indivíduos da comunidade lingüística que hoje "constrói" esse novo código lingüístico, estariam preocupados em estabelecer regras de conduta para situações de interação que se refletiriam em seu discurso, e se essas regras seriam formas de "polidez lingüística" ou formas de "comportamento político", como proposto por Richard Watts. Palavras ABSTRACTThis dissertation aims to analyze, in specific contexts, the linguistic politeness phenomenon in sheng. In order to fulfill this goal, we will initially approach the theories on linguistic politeness within the scope of socio pragmatics, presenting the more traditional theories, which appeared in the 1970s, as well as the more recent ones, all developed mainly in Anglophone countries. Then we will outline Kenya's linguistic situation, focusing mostly on sheng in Nairobi. Finally, we will describe sheng idioms that are used in conversational openings and closings, in acts of returning thanks and apologies, and other actions that might be potentially considered as polite. This analysis will allow us to observe if the individuals from the linguistic community that "constructs" today this linguistic code, even living in a situation of extreme exclusion such as the one experienced by the Makuru community in Nairobi, where mere subsistence is itself a daily struggle, are concerned about establishing rules of conduct for interaction situations that would reflect in their discourse, and if these rules would be forms of "linguistic politeness" or forms of "political behavior", as it is assumed by Richard Watts.

African Languages in the World of Global English1

“…In order to translate their exclusionary reality, they pay back and build a code which, in turn, excludes the 'others', but also becomes an aggregating and equalizing element in the inter-group, a role which neither English nor Kiswahili managed to perform satisfactorily. 47 The case of Sheng is particularly significant in what concerns the cultural, social, and political roles of African languages inasmuch as it was produced and is being constantly reproduced today by a large group of people who are blatantly marginalized in Nairobi, having no access to formal education or to the language which is mainly responsible for social inclusion in the country. As Standard English becomes a threat to survival, Sheng presents itself as an instrument of empowerment of that social stratum, an instrument that not only defies the official use of Standard English but also expresses the social anxieties, cultural richness, and political distrust of these youngsters.…”