A Study of Gratitude Strategy Expressions in Kabir’s Destinies of Life

Citation: Mustapha Ibrahim GARBA (PhD) & Halima SANI (2025). A Study of Gratitude Strategy Expressions in Kabir’s Destinies of Life. Yobe Journal of Language, Literature and Culture (YOJOLLAC), Vol. 13, Number 1. Department of African Languages and Linguistics, Yobe State University, Damaturu, Nigeria. ISSN 2449-0660

A STUDY OF GRATITUDE STRATEGY EXPRESSIONS IN KABIR’S DESTINIES OF LIFE

BY

MUSTAPHA IBRAHIM GARBA (PHD)

HALIMA SANI

Abstract

The paper examines a gratitude strategy expressions in Kabir's destinies of life with a view to identifying forms of gratitude expressions used by characters, the pragmatic functions of gratitude and the use of politeness strategies in novel. The paper examines politeness strategies and brings out the gratitude expressions in the novel. The source of data was primarily from the text. The study adopts Brown and Levinson's (1987) theoretical framework. The theory is popularly known as theory of gratitude strategy expressions in literary works particularly prose and plays. This theory matches the politeness theory proposed for gratitude strategies in the text. Altogether there are one hundred and five (105) gratitude expressions in the text but for the purpose of this paper we analyze 10 gratitude expressions. Some with being off- record (positive and negative) and others with Bald on record (positive and negative). From the analysis, the study reveals that off-record strategies as one of the gratitude expressions that have to do with characters expressing their gratitudes was prominent in the novel.

Key words: Gratitude Strategy Expressions: off- record (positive and negative), Bald- on -Record (positive and negative).

Background to the Study

This paper examines gratitude strategies in Kabir's Destinies of Life (2014.) Among numerous functions of language, the expression of gratitude holds a significant place in human interaction reflecting social norms, interpersonal dynamics, and cultural values. Gratitude is not only a universal linguistic phenomenon but also a vital component of politeness and interpersonal harmony. As a communicative act, gratitude enables individuals to acknowledge favors, express appreciation and reinforce social bonds. However, the strategies employed to express gratitude often vary across cultural, social and contextual settings, making it a rich area for linguistic and pragmatic investigation (Brown and Levinson, 1987).

Gratitude as a fundamental aspect of communication reflects cultural and social nuances while maintaining interpersonal relationships. Despite its significance, the study of gratitude in literary texts, particularly African literature, has been largely overlooked. In Kabir's Destinies of Life, gratitude expressions provide insights into the characters’ relationships, power dynamics, and cultural norms, yet no systematic analysis of these strategies has been conducted. The paper portrays how gratitude is linguistically and pragmatically realized in the text.

Literary texts often serve as a reflection of social realities, providing valuable insights into the linguistic and pragmatic practices of their characters. By analyzing language use in literature, researchers can uncover how communicative strategies such as gratitude are embedded within cultural and social frameworks. Kabir's Destinies of Life offers a fertile ground for such investigations. Her novel portrays complex interpersonal relationships and cultural nuances making it ideal text for exploring the manifestation of gratitude strategies. Through the lens of the characters’ interactions, the text provides opportunities to examine how gratitudes are employed to negotiate relationships, manage conflicts and reinforce social hierarchies.

Despite the significance of gratitude in both linguistic and literary contexts, limited attention has been paid to its pragmatic analysis within African literary works. Previous studies on African literature have primarily focused on themes, stylistics, and sociocultural representations, leaving a gap in the exploration of pragmatic phenomena such as gratitude. This study seeks to examine gratitude strategies in Kabir's Destinies of Life.

This paper seeks to contribute to the growing field of literary pragmatics and is an addition to linguistic analysis and literary interpretation. By investigating gratitude strategies in Kabir's Destinies of Life, the study not only enhances understanding of the text’s communicative dynamics but also provides broader insights into the intersection of language, culture and interpersonal communication in African literature. Furthermore, the findings of this research may have implications for understanding how gratitude expressions reflect cultural norms and values, thereby enriching the study of pragmatics in diverse cultural contexts.

 About the Author and Synopsis of the Novel

Asabe Kabir Usman is a Nigerian academic and author, best known for her novel Destinies of Life. She was born in Sokoto 15th April, 1968. Asabe Kabir Usman is a professor of Oral and African Literatures Usman Danfodiyo University Sokoto. Her novel Destinies of Life was published in 2014. The novel tells the story of Aisha a young Muslim woman whose life is marked by tragedy and hardship. The story explores themes of love, loss, and resilience in the face of adversity. Kabir's academic work focuses on Oral literature, African literature, popular culture, Women and Gender studies. She has published numerous papers and books on women gender topics and has received recognition for her contributions to the field.

The novel explores the complexities of human existence and the often unpredictable nature of life’s journey. Through a combination of rich narrative, strong character development, and culturally grounded themes, the novel delves into the personal and social challenges faced by individuals in a rapidly changing world. The story centers on the lives of its protagonists, whose fates are intricately woven into the larger fabric of society. The narrative reveals the tension between personal aspirations and societal expectations, with a particular focus on themes of love, struggle, resilience, and the search for identity. The novel’s structure and style are heavily influenced by the author's cultural background, making it an important text in understanding the role of African literature in representing social and psychological realities.

In terms of literary style, Kabir's use of language is both accessible and rich with symbolic meaning. Her characters are multi-dimensional, and their dialogues often reflect the subtleties of African linguistic patterns, making the text particularly engaging for readers familiar with African languages and cultural nuances. Overall, Destinies of Life a poignant and thought-provoking narrative that not only explores individual struggles and societal dynamics but also offers insights into the complexities of life in contemporary African societies. It is an invaluable resource for scholars interested in African literature, social studies, and gender studies, as it provides a nuanced portrayal of life’s uncertainties, the burdens of social expectations, and the quest for personal fulfillment.

The study is significant for several reasons. Firstly, it contributes to multiple fields of inquiry including pragmatics, sociolinguistics, literary studies, and African literature. Secondly, the study identifies the understanding of gratitude as a linguistic and pragmatic phenomenon. Thirdly, it analyzes linguistic forms and pragmatic functions. Fourth, the research sheds light on how gratitudes are realized in communication, particularly within a literary context. Fifth, the study is an addition to previous researches on African literature by focusing on the pragmatic analysis of language use. Sixth, the study does not only add to the growing field of literary pragmatics but also highlights the unique cultural and social norms embedded in African narratives. Finally, the research serves as a foundation for future studies on the pragmatics and gratitude strategies studies.

The study focuses on the analysis of gratitude strategies in Kabir's Destinies of Life. It seeks to examine the linguistic forms, pragmatic functions, and socio-cultural implications of gratitude expressions used by characters within the text. The study is limited to identifying and analyzing gratitude expressions as a specific type of speech act in the novel. Attention is given to how these expressions reveal the characters' intentions, social roles, and relationships.

 Literature Review

Pragmatics is a subfield of linguistics that studies the use of language in context, focusing on how speakers and listeners interpret and use language in social interactions. Unlike other branches of linguistics, such as syntax or semantic which concentrate on the structure and meaning of language in isolation. Pragmatic examines the practical aspects of communication considering factors such as context, speaker intentions, social roles, and cultural norms It deals with how language functions in real-world situations, highlighting how meaning is shaped not only by the linguistic content of an utterance but also by the context in which it is produced and received. Many scholars have contributed immensely in gratitude strategies expressions (Levinson, 1983), Austin (1962) Searle (1969), Grice (1975), (Hudson, 1996), (Emmons and Mc Cullough, 2003), Mc Cullough, et al; (2001), (Watkins, 2014), (Ogiermann, 2009) (Kadar and Kasperecz, 2013).

Holmes (1995) investigates gratitude in English and its role in maintaining interpersonal relationships. The study highlights the significance of gratitude in expressing positive emotions and reinforcing social bonds. Holmes uses a qualitative approach, analyzing naturally occurring conversations and identifying the different linguistic forms of gratitude, such as direct expressions ("Thank you") and indirect forms ("I really appreciate it"). The study finds that gratitude, as a speech act, serves not only as a form of acknowledgment but also as a means of managing face needs, particularly positive face (the desire to be liked and appreciated) in social interactions. Holmes’ work is grounded in Brown and Levinson’s (1987) Politeness Theory, specifically focusing on the strategies of positive politeness used to enhance rapport and solidarity.

Ogiermann (2009), examines gratitude in Polish and English, exploring the relationship between culture and politeness in expressing appreciation. The study employs a contrastive analysis methodology, using both written and spoken data to identify the various expressions of gratitude in different languages. His study reveals that while gratitude expressions in both languages can be direct or indirect, the level of formality and the use of mitigation strategies differ, reflecting cultural variations in politeness norms. This study supports Brown and Levinson’s theory, demonstrating how cultural values influence the strategies and individuals use to convey gratitude while maintaining face. The ongoing study is concerned on text analysis of gratitude strategies. The two studies are married in term of exploring the relationship between culture and politeness appreciation.

Kadar and Haugh (2013), explore the role of gratitude in politeness and speech acts within intercultural communication. They analyze gratitude in the context of English and Chinese using a comparative approach. Their findings highlight that while gratitude is generally seen as a positive politeness strategy in both cultures, the degree of formality and indirectness varies significantly. In English, gratitude is often expressed directly, while in Chinese culture, there is a greater emphasis on humility and indirectness. The study provides an in-depth analysis of the illocutionary force of gratitude, suggesting that the speech act of thanking is not only a form of appreciation but also a means of aligning oneself with cultural values related to modesty and respect. This study differs from Kadar and Hough (2013), as they deal with the Chinese and the research in this work deals with Africans.

Few studies have specifically examined gratitude strategies in African literature, especially within the context of works. Therefore, Kabir's Destinies of Life seeks to analyse gratitude strategies through the lens of "politeness theory", by focusing on the linguistic forms and pragmatic functions of gratitude expressions in the text. This research seeks to contribute to the understanding of how gratitude is used to manage 'face' and 'social relationships' in African literary contexts. It also seeks to explore the cultural norms that show gratitude strategies used in the novel as well as how gratitude functions within African cultural settings.

 Theoretical Framework

The study adopts Brown and Levinson’s (1987) "Politeness Theory" to explore the gratitude strategies employed in Kabir's Destinies of Life. This theory offers complementary perspectives as in 'Politeness Theory’ on how gratitude mitigates face-threatening acts and enhances interpersonal harmony. Politeness Theory, is grounded in the sociolinguistic concept of "face," which refers to an individual’s public self-image. Gratitude as a linguistic strategy often plays a crucial role in maintaining and negotiating face during interpersonal interactions. Brown and Levinson categorize politeness strategies into four main types: bald on-record (direct communication without mitigation), positive politeness (strategies that appeal to the addressee’s desire for approval and connection), negative politeness (strategies that show respect for the addressee’s desire for autonomy), and off-record (indirect communication that leaves room for interpretation).

In the context of Kabir's Destinies of Life, the use of gratitude can reflect these strategies. For example, characters may use positive politeness to express gratitude in a way that strengthens social bonds, or they may employ negative politeness to show differences and avoid imposing on others. Off-record strategies may appear in cases where gratitude is implied rather than explicitly stated, creating nuanced interpersonal dynamics. Politeness Theory thus provides a lens through which the study examines how gratitude contributes to maintaining harmony, asserting social hierarchies, or navigating conflicts in the narrative.

 Methodology

The study adopts a qualitative research design. It seeks to explore the pragmatic functions and socio-cultural implications of gratitude expressions in a literary text. Qualitative research allows for an in-depth examination of language use, focusing on how gratitude is linguistically realized and the social meanings it carries within the context of interpersonal interactions in Kabir's Destinies of Life.

The primary data for this study is drawn from Kabir's Destinies of Life (2014) a novel that presents a rich tapestry of interpersonal relationships and cultural norms. The study uses a simple random sampling technique to select sentences in the of passages in the novel where gratitude is explicitly expressed or implied. These instances are identified through a close reading of the text, with particular attention paid to dialogues and interactions that involve the expression of thanks or appreciation, either verbally or non-verbally. The research focuses on a sample of interactions that are representative of the diverse social settings, power dynamics, and relationships portrayed in the novel.

The text consists of one hundred and twelve pages (112) and sixteen (16) chapters. The researchers use Krjcie and Morgan (1995) used as a table of sample size. The researchers use simple random sampling and select only ten (10) seventy five percent out of all variables. In this novel, there are one hundred and five (105) variables. The researcher uses random sampling and selected fifty variables (50 data) for analysis.

 Data Presentation and Analysis

The paper attempts to analyze ten (direct and indirect) data of gratitude expressions by using Brown and Levinson's (1987) politeness theory. The analyses are as follows:

Datum One

Stage I: Passage Extract: "My dear wife my only and true, the best of all wives may the holiest part of paradise be your reward" (in epilogue, page 7). The statement above is in epilogue on page seven.

Stage II: Textual Familiarization: The researchers read the novel several times to identify the targeted data utterances (gratitude) from the utterances made by the characters in the text.

Stage III: Linguistic Analysis: This is a direct (bald on record) expression of gratitude. The expression explicitly acknowledges the wife's value and importance, using words like "dear", "only", and "true". The expression offers a blessing and a reward, "may the holiest part of paradise be your reward", which directly expresses gratitude.

Stage IV: Pragmatic Analysis: The expression uses a positive politeness strategy, as the expression conveys affection and love, using words like "dear" and "true". The expression emphasizes appreciation and gratitude, offering a blessing and a reward.

Stage V: Cultural Interpretation: The expression suggests appreciation and love for the wife, which is associated with gratitude and provides support and enhancement to the wife's positive face, emphasizing her value and importance and contributes to social connection by conveying love, affection, and appreciation. The expression suggests appreciation and love for the wife, which is associated with gratitude.

Datum Two

Stage I: Passage Extract: The expression "Aisha, May Allah bless you and give you all your positive wishes in life" ( this extract happened in chapter one (1), in page eighteen (18) in Paragraph three ( 3 ).

Stage II: Textual Familiarization: The researchers read the novel several times to identify the targeted data utterances (gratitude) from the utterances made by the characters in the text.

Stage III: Linguistic Analysis: The expression "Aisha, May Allah bless you and give you all your positive wishes in life" is a bald on record (direct) gratitude expression. The expression implies that Aisha has done something kind, prompting the speaker ( Baba) to express gratitude. The expression conveys a genuine wish for Aisha's well-being, prosperity, and happiness, which is a common way to express gratitude.

Stage IV: Pragmatic Analysis: The expression uses a positive politeness strategy. The expression conveys appreciation and gratitude to Aisha .The interaction emphasizes mutual respect and goodwill between Baba and Aisha.

Stage V: Cultural Interpretation: The expression provides support and enhancement to Aisha's positive face, conveying respect, appreciation, and goodwill .The interaction contributes to social connection by conveying a positive and supportive sentiment. The expression suggests respect and goodwill towards Aisha, which is associated with positive politeness.

Datum Three

Stage I: Passage Selection: "No, thank you,” he answered," I am not really hungry". (Chapter 13, Page 91, Line7). This episode happens where Nafisa Umar's wife offers him food but Umar rejected the offer of food because he was not hungry.

Stage II: Textual Familiarization: The researchers read the novel several times to identify the targeted data utterances (gratitude expression) from the utterances made by the characters.

Stage III: Linguistic Analysis: The expression "No, thank you, I am not really hungry" is a direct gratitude strategy.

Stage IV: Pragmatic Analysis: In this case the speaker uses a combination of positive and negative politeness to mitigate potential face threat. In the positive politeness strategy, the speaker uses the phrase “No, thank you" to express gratitude and appreciation for the offer. In the negative politeness strategy, the speaker provides a reason for refusing the offer (“I am not really hungry") to avoid giving offense and to show consideration for the offerer's feelings.

Stage V: Cultural Interpretation: The context in which this expression is used is likely a social interaction where food is being offered. The speaker's refusal of the offer may be influenced by personal preferences.

Datum Four

Stage I: Passage Extract: "Thank you for your concern - Bello." (Page 9, Paragraph 4). This episode happens in Prologue, page six, paragraph four.

Stage II: Textual Familiarization: The researcher reads the novel several times to identify the targeted data utterances (gratitude expression) from the utterances made by the characters.

Stage III: Linguistic Analysis: The linguistic form used to express gratitude here is a direct (bald on record) form. “Thank you” “Thank you” is a polite and conversational way to express gratitude.

Stage IV: Pragmatic Analysis: The expression uses a positive politeness. The expression enhances the speaker’s positive face by acknowledging and appreciating the concern shown by Bello. The speaker (Aisha) acknowledges and appreciates Bello’s concern, which shows that they value his feelings and opinions.

Stage V: Cultural Interpretation: The expression conveys appreciation and gratitude towards Bello, which helped to build and maintain their relationship. The expression implies a positive social relationship between Aisha and Bello, which is characterized by mutual respect, appreciation and concern. The speaker Aisha values their relationship with Bello and she is grateful for his concern.

 

Datum Five

Stage I: Passage Extract: “A smile that has a lot to say. God will reward you, Aisha." (Page 9, Paragraph 5). This episode happens in Prologue, page nine, paragraph five.

Stage II: Textual Familiarization: The researcher reads the novel several times to identify the targeted data utterances (gratitude expression) from the utterances made by the characters.

Stage III: Linguistic Analysis: The expression is a direct form of gratitude expression which expresses appreciation. The phrase "God will reward you" expresses a deep appreciation and thanks for Aisha's action.

Stage IV: Pragmatic Analysis: The expression uses a positive politeness strategy to build and maintain a positive social relationship with Aisha, characterized by mutual respect, appreciation, and empathy. This approach helps to create a supportive tone and encourages affiliation, which is essential for maintaining positive social relationships.

Stage V: Cultural Interpretation: The phrase “only God will reward you” expresses deep appreciation and gratitude for Aisha’s action. The phrase implies that Aisha's action will be rewarded by God, which creates a positive and optimistic tone.

Datum Six

Stage I: Passage extract: He could hardly change his position in bed without her help (epilogue page 6 paragraph 4). This episode happens in the introduction page six paragraph four. The expression implies that the person is severely incapacitated, which threatens their negative face by emphasizing their dependence on others. The expression also implies that the person is unable to perform basic self-care tasks, which threatens their positive face by undermining their self-image and autonomy.

Stage II: Textual Familiarization: The researcher read the text several times to identify the targeted data utterances (gratitude) from the utterances made by the characters.

Stage III: Linguistic Analysis: This expression is an indirect form (off-record) of gratitude expression.

Stage IV: Pragmatic Analysis: The expression uses an off-record strategy, as it conveys the person's dependence on others without directly stating it. The use of "could hardly" and "without her help" mitigates the face threat by implying that the person's dependence is not absolute, but rather a consequence of their circumstances.

Stage V: Cultural Interpretation: The expression implies that the person's dependence on others is not a significant imposition, which helps to maintain social harmony and avoid conflict. The expression highlights the importance of interdependence and mutual support, which can help to strengthen social bonds and relationships. The expression also emphasizes the importance of caregiving and support, which can help to promote a sense of community and social responsibility.

Datum Seven

Stage I: Passage Extract: When she gained admission into Queen's College Lagos. Her father was happy for it was a prestigious school (chapter 1, page13, paragraph 5). This episode happens in chapter one, page thirteen, paragraph five.

Stage II: Textual Familiarization: The researchers read the novel several times to identify the targeted data utterances (gratitude) from the utterances made by the characters in the text.

Stage III: Linguistic Analysis: The expression is an indirect form (off - record) gratitude strategy .The phrase" her father was too happy” implies pride and joy, which can be inferred as a form of gratitude for the daughter's achievement. The expression focuses on the father's emotions (happiness) rather than explicitly expressing thanks or gratitude.

Stage IV: Pragmatic Analysis: The expression uses a positive politeness strategy to create a sense of shared joy, pride, and celebration, which enhances the father's and daughter's positive face and reinforces their positive social relationship.

Stage V: Cultural Interpretation: The expression implies that the father has high expectations for his daughter's education and future. The expression implies that the daughter's admission to Queen's College Lagos is a significant achievement, which reflects positively on her abilities and hard work.

Datum Eight

Datum Stage I: Passage Extract: "She was a source of joy to whoever saw her, and for this Aisha was grateful." (Chapter 5, Page 49, Paragraph 2)

Stage II: Textual Familiarization: The researcher identifies the utterance as an off-record gratitude expression.

Stage III: Linguistic Analysis: This is an indirect form (off-record) of gratitude expression.

Stage IV: Pragmatic Analysis: The speaker uses a positive politeness strategy, such as emphasizing Aisha’s positive qualities and expressing gratitude to create a positive and appreciative tone.

Stage V: Cultural Interpretation: The expression implies that Aisha is grateful for the joy she brings to others, which creates a sense of mutual appreciation and respect. Thus, the expression helps maintain social harmony and strengthens relationships, which creates a sense of closeness and connection.

Datum Nine

Stage I: Passage extract: Even in his much disturbed sleep his eyes had that grateful look in them (epilogue page 6, paragraph 5). This episode happens in the introduction page six paragraph five. The expression does not pose a face threat to the person being described, as it focuses on their positive emotional state (gratitude) rather than any negative or critical aspect.

Stage II: Textual Familiarization: The researcher reads the novel several times to identify the targeted data utterances (gratitude) from the utterances made by the characters

Stage III: Linguistic Analysis: This is an indirect form of gratitude (off- record).The expression enhances the person's positive face by describing their eyes as having a "grateful look," which implies a sense of appreciation.

Stage IV: Pragmatic Analysis: The expression uses a positive politeness strategy, as it emphasizes the person's positive emotional state and expresses appreciation for their gratitude.

Stage V: Cultural Interpretation: This approach helps to build rapport, establish a positive relationship and create a sense of mutual respect and social harmony, which are all essential aspects of positive politeness. The expression implies a positive relationship between the person being described (Umar) and the person is grateful too.

Datum Ten

 Passage Extract: Dr. Bello shook his head and gave Aisha a compassionate smile (page 9, paragraph 4). This episode happens in chapter nine paragraph four between Aisha and Dr. Bello.

Stage II: Textual Familiarization: The researchers read the novel several times to identify the targeted data utterances (gratitude) from the utterances made by the characters in the text.

Stage III: Linguistic Analysis: Dr. Bello shaking head and smiling are non-verbal cues (indirect form) to convey gratitude expression rather than a direct verbal statement that convey his empathy and support.

The compassionate smile and loving look implies gratitude and appreciation, but does not explicitly state it.

Stage IV: Pragmatic Analysis: The expression uses a positive politeness strategy to build and maintain a positive social relationship with Aisha, characterized by empathy, understanding, and mutual respect. This approach helps to create a supportive and encouraging atmosphere, which is essential for building trust and rapport in relationships.

Stage V: Cultural Interpretation: Dr. Bello's compassionate smile shows that he understands and cares about Aisha's feelings. Dr. Bello's actions provide emotional support to Aisha, which helps to build trust and rapport. The expression implies a positive social relationship between Dr. Bello and Aisha, characterized by empathy, understanding, and mutual respect. The expression implies that Dr. Bello and Aisha have a supportive relationship, where he is willing to provide emotional support and comfort.

Summary

The paper examined gratitude strategy expressions in Kabir's Destinies of Life with a view to identifying forms of gratitude expressions used by characters, the pragmatic functions of gratitude and the use of politeness strategies in the novel. The paper highlighted verbal and nonverbal strategies in the text. The study brought out the gratitude expressions in the novel and analysed them. The source of data was primarily from the text. The paper reveals that some gratitudes with being off- record (positive and negative) and others with Bald on record (positive and negative) as well as verbal and non-verbal expressions were predominantly discovered in the novel

 Conclusion 

In conclusion, analysing these expressions using Brown and Levinson’s (1987) Politeness Theory, we can gain a deeper understanding of the ways people use language to express gratitude/politeness and appreciation in social interactions. The results show that there are different ways in which people express gratitude (bald on record, direct or indirect, off record, non-direct or non-verbal) and politeness (positive and negative) in the novel.

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