The Ethnopragmatics of Akan Compliments

Abstract

The paper addresses compliments in Akan from an ethnopragmatic point of view. The paper analyses Akan compliments within the framework of politeness. We will consider the ethnographic situations within the Akan society where compliments are employed. The areas where my data was collected include Akan adverts, Akan football commentary, classrooms, praise poetry for chiefs, public speeches, folksongs, dance and hunting. The paper looks at types of compliments, namely, (1) appearance, (2) character and comportment, (3) performance and (4) possession, and also the structure and language of compliments, response to compliments, and functions of compliments.