The socio-pragmatic interpretation of grief discourse among the Meru of Kenya

Abstract

This study sought to establish the socio-pragmatic interpretation of grief discourse among the Meru of Kenya. Although death is universal, the way people linguistically express the death of a person varies from culture to culture. The reasons for this variation in different social circumstances are not conclusive as research continues in this area. The main objective of this study was to examine the cultural concept of death among the Meru. The study employed an auto-ethnographical study design guided by Silverman's grief model, which consists of three modes of expression, four types of language, and three contingent factors. A purposive sample of twelve respondents comprising six male and six female respondents spread over the three key regions of Meru and nine death incidences provided data for the study. The instruments of data collection comprised observations, face-to-face interviews, and research diaries. Results of the study indicate that death is perceived and expressed differently among the Meru depending on the age, sex, and status of the deceased, as well as the circumstances of death. The study is expected to benefit scholars in applied linguistics, the general public, and policymakers. This study concludes that the verbal and nonverbal reactions during grief have a certain cathartic effect on the bereaved as a coping mechanism. Research is recommended for other communities of the world to carry out similar research in their communities for people to understand each other better and appreciate their cultures.