Citation: Titilayo SOJI-ONI & Olubunmi IDOWU (2024). Maxims of Cooperative Principles in Dayo Oladele-Ilori’s Cruel Passion. Yobe Journal of Language, Literature and Culture (YOJOLLAC), Vol. 12, Number 1. Department of African Languages and Linguistics, Yobe State University, Damaturu, Nigeria. ISSN 2449-0660
MAXIMS
OF COOPERATIVE PRINCIPLES IN DAYO OLADELE-ILORI’S CRUEL PASSION
By
Titilayo SOJI-ONI
Olubunmi IDOWU
Abstract
The
main theme in Cruel Passion by Dayo Oladele- Ilori is the act of rape as
carried out by one of the main characters. In view of the prevalent issue of
rape in our society, this study focuses on the role of language in carrying out
rape and specifically the contributions (if any) of the victim to the act.
Therefore, based on the theoretical framework of Cooperative Principles, this
study employs the pragmatic tools of the four maxims of quality, quantity,
manner and relevance for the analysis of the text. These tools are expected to
bring to limelight the relevant contextual interpretations of the selected
data. The data comprises eight (8), excerpts from the literary text. The
qualitative descriptive approach is adopted for this study. Purposive random
sampling technique is used to select the eight (8) excerpts relevant to this
study. The findings reveal that five (5) of the eight (8) excerpts flouted the
maxim of quality, two (2) excerpts flouted the maxim of manner, one (1) excerpt
flouted maxim of quantity and no occurrence of violation of maxim of relevant.
The study finds out that the use of language by perpetrators of rape in the
text is crucial in carrying out the act. The study also reveals that at times
victims’ use of language expose them to the act. This analysis brought to
limelight the deep meaning that can be deduced and the meanings that cannot be
discovered at surface level. Hence, the study concludes that communicators in any
conversation should critically examine the use of language to unveil any hidden
meanings which might lead to unpleasant situation. The study
therefore, recommends that victims should be clear in their use of language.
Keywords: Cooperative Principles,
Cruel Passion, Language, Maxims, Rape Act.
1.0 Introduction
1.1Background
to the Study
Rape
is a dastardly act that must be fought against in our society. The perpetrators
of rape use language, force, threats, and deceits among others to carry out
their well thought-out plan. There is the need to examine the connectivity of
language and rape by adopting the four maxims of Cooperative Principles;
quality, quantity, manner and relevance. Quantity is to make one’s contribution
as informative as it is required, quality is making sure that information
shared is true and supported by evidence, manner is to communicate clearly and
orderly and relevance is making sure that the information is pertinent and
related to the conversation’s topic. These maxims enhance cooperative
communication by ensuring that information is shared appropriately, truthfully,
relevantly, and clearly. According to Lock (2006), the command of the language
of a rapist invariably unable the victim to escape from the activity. In other
words, they engage language in such a way that they instill fear into their
victims. They cover their plans with a well-constructed language that by the
time their victims will get to know their intention, they are already involved
in this wrong activity. The society is full of rape victims who are wounded in
their minds but could not speak out because of fear of rejection. This is
buttressed by Vallejo (2021), stating that the pragmatic force used by the
rapist as his intention would make the rape victims unable to voice their
rights. The World Health Organization (WHO, 2012) states that the inadequate
support system, shame, fear or risk of retaliation, fear or risk of not being
believed, fear or risk of being mistreated and or being socially ostracized are
among the reasons which hinder the silence of women’s rights to attain justice.
Kondos (2016) in Vallejo (2021) reports that linguistic causes of rape culture
on college campuses revealed that the society has an aggressive mentality and
considers it customary.
This
paper is on language and rape; it specifically investigates the rape event
in Cruel Passion by Dayo Oladele-Ilori using Grice’s
Cooperative Principles. Rape is a crime that not only inflicts severe physical
and psychological harm on victims but also raises critical questions about how
language is used in both perpetrating and addressing such acts, Rape as an act
of sexual violence, is not solely a physical violation but also a communicative
one. It involves a deliberate misuse of language, power dynamics and
manipulation. This study delves into the role of language in the commission of
rape, exploring how perpetrators employ persuasive strategies, threats, and
coercion to silence and control their victims. The victims’ use of language is
also examined with the aim of either upholding or eradicating rape culture in
our society.
1.2
Statement of the Problem
Rape
is a wrong act that must be fought against in our society. Some studies like
Taub (2014), Friedman (2016), Fletcher (2010), and Fletcher
and Roth (2005) have established that people blame rape victims for exposing
themselves to the act. Hence, there is the need to critically examine this
dastardly act with the aim of assessing the role of language in this act. Do
the rape victims actually expose themselves to the act? Are they to be blamed
if they truly did? What is the way forward? All these questions are the
concerns of this paper.
It
is noteworthy that many other scholars have worked on the language used in
perpetrating the act of rape. For instance Chorbajian (2000) examines the
language used in magazine report of rape and sexual assault trials using
Osgood’s semantic differential and finds out that alleged perpetrators were
found to be significantly different on the semantic factors of evaluation,
potency and activity. Wolf (2002) also investigates the language of rape and
sexual consent and Good (2023) focuses on the use of passive language to
discuss sexual violence.
However,
this paper examines the language of a perpetrator and his victim in Dayo
Oladele-Ilori’s Cruel Passion using the theory of Cooperative
Principles for the analysis. Specifically Conversational Implicature, which is
embedded in the theory of Cooperative Principles. This is different from the
other existing studies. There is a particular attention on the contextual
interpretations of the maxims in the rape event and the role of language as
used in the selected data.
1.3 Objectives of
the Study
The general objective of
this study is to account for the pragmatic analysis of a rape event in Cruel
Passion by Dayo Oladele-Ilori. The specific objectives of this study
are to:
1) identify the four maxims
of Cooperative Principles in the selected utterances of the perpetrator and the
victim in the text.
2) state the contextual
interpretations of the maxims in the rape event to show the authenticity of
rape culture in our society
3) evaluate these contextual
interpretations to bring out the role of language as used by the perpetrator
and the victims.
1.4
Research Questions
1.
What are the manifestations of the four maxims in the relevant utterances
within the text?
2.
What are the contextual interpretations of these maxims in the rape event?
3.
What is the role of language in the contextual interpretations of the rape
activity?
1.5
Significance of the Study
The
study would be of immense benefits as it would raise the awareness on the
prevalence of rape. Insights from the study will help develop effective
prevention strategies to reduce the occurrence of rape. Furthermore, the policy
makers can use the research findings to develop-evidence based policies aimed
at preventing and addressing sexual violence. The study will also contribute to
the academic field and further the understanding of rape and related issues.
1.6
Theoretical Framework
1.6.1
Implicature and Cooperative Principles
The
concept of implicature was first introduced by H.P, Grice (1967). He explains
implicature as a situation in which a speaker means, in verbal communication,
more than the literal meaning of the utterance. Ikuelogbon (2018) comments that
the term implicature was actually introduced by Grice to distinguish it from
the notion of implication as used in logic and semantics. According to Osisanwo
(2003) some basic questions should serve as guide in explaining implicature:
What
has the speaker (or writer) said?
What
does it mean?
What
does it imply?
He
further explains:
Is
there an agreement between what is said (or written) and what is meant? What
the speaker (or writer) can imply, or suggest, or mean as distinct from what
the speaker (or writer) literally says or writes is the implicature. (92).
He
adds that implicature is a pragmatic aspect meaning which has two basic types:
conventional implicature and conversational implicature. In addition Griceans
and neo-Griceans have added different types of implicature: scalar implicature,
short-circuted implicature, politeness implicature, etc. (Osisanwo, 2003).
In
this study, the two basic types of implicature will be discussed.
Conventional
Implicature
This
is a situation in which the meaning of words is determined without
consideration for the context of use. Example: Ayomide is an
undergraduate in Babcock University, therefore he is an Adventist. The
conventional implicature of this utterance is that all undergraduates in
Babcock University are Adventists. Conventional implicature is more of
grammatical meaning than context. Yule (1996) buttresses this:
Conventional
implicatures are not based on the cooperative principle, don’t have to occur in
conversation, don’t depend on special contexts for their interpretation, are
associated with specific words and result in additional conveyed meanings when
those words are used. (45)
Examples
of English words carrying conventional implicature are but, yet, and (conjunctions)
and even (Osisanwo, 2003). This can be illustrated with the
sentences below:
She
read extensively for her examination but failed woefully.
They
both swept and cleaned the language laboratory.
Conversational
Implicature
In
conversational implicature, there is additional conveyed meaning from the
interlocutors which is borne out of cooperation between them. Osisanwo (2003)
presents conversational implicature as relying on Cooperative Principles (CP).
This is expatiated through these four maxims.
(i) Quantity- Make your
contribution as informative as is required (for the purpose of the exchange).
Do not make your contribution more informative than is required.
(ii) Quality- Your contribution
must be true. Do not say what you believe to be false. Do not say that for
which you lack adequate evidence.
(iii) Relation- Be relevant.
(iv) Manner- Be clear. Avoid
ambiguity. Avoid obscurity of expression. Be brief (avoid unnecessary
prolixity. Be orderly (that is present your materials in the order in which
they are required.
2.0
Literature Review
2.1
Language and Rape
Language
is key in any culture; language is used to communicate one’s ideas, feelings,
emotions, thoughts and perception. Language is a means of communication.
According to Syal and Jindal (2017), ‘Language is a symbol system based on pure
or arbitrary conventions…infinitely extendable and modifiable according to the
changing needs and conditions of the speakers’. Encyclopaedia Britannica (2009)
defines language as a system of conventional spoken, manual (signed), or
written symbols by means of humans, as members of a social group and
participants in its culture, express themselves. Furthermore, Osisanwo (2003)
sees language as a system for the communication of meaning through sounds. On
the other hand, Mekiluwa (2019) opines that language is a human signaling
system that uses both vocal and non-vocals. In essence, language is used to
express feelings into an understandable unit. Rape is the penetration of the
mouth, vagina or anus by any part of the attacker’s body or by an object used
by the attacker without the consent of the victim (Easteal, 2012). It is an
unlawful sexual activity against the will of the victim who may either be a
female or a male.
Language
is the vehicle used for communication and rape is first expressed through
language. For any rapist to influence their victims, they have to carefully
arrange their words which could come as a threat, force, deceits and coercion.
Language plays a critical role in shaping our perceptions and understanding of
rape, hence the crucial role of language in rape activity.
2.
2 Rape Culture
The
term “rape culture” was originally coined in the 1970s (Taub, 2014). Rape
culture is a culture in which sexual assault is treated as the norm and usually
victims are blamed for falling victims. Rape culture is not about the rape
itself, it is about the way the society projects the act, trying to protect the
rapist and blaming the victim for exposing herself to such act. Language plays
a key role in shaping the way the society behave towards women that make a case
for rape culture. This is expressed by Friedman (2016), language constructs
reality, and the way we speak about gender, the way we speak about sex, the way
we speak about women, all of these can combine to construct a culture which is
enabling rape. Friedman further defines rape culture as the way things such as
language reinforce stereotypes about women, which result in violent behavior
towards them. He explains that rape culture is not about raping. It is about
the myths and stereotypes that are pervasive across all communities and
manifested through things like language, behavior and attitudes, which then
encourage violence towards women. Rape culture is an environment that makes
violence against women as normal which of course leads to rape. Buchwald,
Fletcher and Roth (2005) define rape culture as a complex set of beliefs that
encourages male sexual aggression and supports violence against women (and
girls), a society where violence is seen as sexy and sexuality is violent, and
a continuum of threatened violence that ranges from sexual remarks to sexual
touching to rape itself. Fletcher (2010) asserts that rape culture is a global
trend that has gone without examination; thus, rape culture will persist until
societal values change. In his view, Cobos (2014) argues that there are still
significant stereotypes and myths portrayed by the news media to the public as
regards to sexual assault and rape cases and perpetuates rape culture. Taub
(2014) opines that rape culture treats rape as a problem to be solved through
improving the behavior of potential rape victims (who are presumed, in this
logic, to be women), rather than improving the behavior of potential rapists
(who are presumed to be men). But, it is now an established fact that men can
be victims of rape and sexual assault, and women can be perpetrators of it
(Taub, 2014).
The
problem of sexual violence or assault, as the case may be, is a global issue
which must be dealt with, using the same language that made it acceptable in
the society to also make it unacceptable in the same society. Hence, the
victims should not be blamed for attracting the rapist’s attention with the
revealing clothing. The perpetrators of rape and sexual assault, if found
guilty, must be punished, so that rape culture will no longer exist in our
society.
2.3
Methodology
The
research was a qualitative descriptive study. The information is represented by
words, phrases and sentences. The relevant conversations from the literary
text; Cruel Passion by Dayo Oladele-Ilori, constitute the data
for this study. In analyzing the data, the researcher gave the background
knowledge of the excerpts chosen, then, the data were analyzed to show the
pragmatic implication of the rape event using conversational implicature/
cooperative principles. The data consist of two hundred and ninety-two (292)
words.
2.4
Data Analysis
Implicature
Analysis of Dayo Oladele-Ilori’s Cruel Passion
Excerpt
1
Background: Bankole came to convince
Ife to have a walk with him.
Baby, can we go out for a walk? Bankole asked
Ife pleading holding her hands to stop her from going to the dormitory with her
friends.
Implicature
Type: Conversational
Implicature
Flouted
Maxim: Maxim of Quality
Bankole
deceived Ife by not telling her the truth of what was in his mind; to sleep
with her. He deceived her that they were going for a walk. This made Bankole to
flout the maxim of quality, he intentionally said what he knew was not true.
Excerpt
2
Background: Ife was not comfortable
with this idea of a walk at the time Bankole requested for it.
Oh, sorry, I can’t. I have been delaying my
friends since nine o’clock. They are ready to go to bed. We definitely still
have an hour or two to talk before you leave in the morning, so…
Implicature
Type: Conversational
Implicature
Flouted
Maxim:
Maxim of manner
Ife was not
clear enough, she should have gone straight to the point of not wanting to go
for a walk and insisted on it, rather than using her friends as an excuse. She
flouted the maxim of manner. She even gave the impression of her interest in
discussing with Bankole in the morning.
Excerpt 3
Background: Bankole insisted on
having a walk with Ife.
Oh
come off it, some people are still around. Bankole protested. I won’t keep you
for long, just a chat. You can join them in bed in another thirty minutes.
Implicature
Type: Conversational
Implicature
Flouted
Maxim: Maxim of Quality
Bankole flouted
the maxim of quality by not telling her the truth. He said he just wanted them
to chat which was not true.
Excerpt 4
Background: Ife refused to go with
Bankole for a walk but he pulled her along.
But…Ife
started to protest, but he pulled her along. She reluctantly followed and waved
to her friends, telling them she would soon be back.
Implicature
Type:
Conversational Implicature
Flouted
Maxim:
Maxim of Quantity
Ife did not
give the required information on her insistence of not wanting to go for a walk
with Bankole and did not inform her friends that Bankole was pulling her along
against her wish. She flouted the maxim of quantity.
Excerpt 5
Background: Ife insisted they should
go back since it’s rather too late for them to be alone.
I
think we should go back now. It’s rather late and any of the teachers might
even see us. I feel quite uncomfortable, Ife said in agitation.
Implicature
Type:
Conversational Implicature
Flouted
Maxim:
Maxim of Manner
Ife
flouted the maxim of manner by not giving the information in order of
requirement. The fact was that she was not comfortable with the walk but she
first presented the excuse of the teachers seeing them.
Excerpt 6
Background: Bankole tried to talk over
her fear and said that their teachers have given them the freedom to be
together.
You
are just getting scared unduly. The teachers have given us all the night to
enjoy. May be you just have a phobia for the dark.
Implicature
Type:
Conversational Implicature
Flouted
Maxim:
Maxim of Quality
Bankole
is a pathological liar; he did not have evidence for what he said regarding
their teachers giving them the night to enjoy, in addition to this, all he
wanted was to rape Ife, his conversations were based on falsehood.
Excerpt
7
Background: Ife agreed with Bankole
that she was actually scared.
Well,
maybe, I’m just scared, she replied, managing a weak smile.
Implicature
Type:
Conversational Implicature
Flouted
Maxim: Maxim
of Quality
Ife
was not comfortable with the whole idea of going for a walk but did not tell
Bankole the truth (although, it wouldn’t have made any difference at this
point). But the fact was that Ife should have told him the truth and not
managing a weak smile.
Excerpt
8
Background: Bankole pointed to a
cluster of stars which made Ife laugh. They approached the school library and
then she heard footsteps behind them and she was held roughly by some hands.
Ife looked around to find Bankole standing afar off and watching with no
concern. She wanted to scream but felt a piece of dirty wet rag stuffed into
her mouth. She tried to pull away but her strength failed her. Several slaps
landed on her face forcing her to be quiet. She was pushed to the ground, she
pleaded but all no avail. Suddenly, she saw Bankole and felt he wanted to
rescue her but rather pulled roughly at her skirt and underwear. He ripped off
her pants, Bankole pulled down his trousers and boxer shorts, the other guys
pinned her down, Bankole made his first entry into her but wasn’t able to
penetrate, after several trials, she felt a sharp pain and wetness between her
thighs. She gave a painful cry. She was still a virgin but this did not stop
Bankole from raping her. Bankole warned her never to mention names or else she
will be thoroughly dealt with.
A
parting advice for you: don’t attempt to mention names because if you do I will
be punished, but be sure that my boys will besiege you and you will be gone
like yesterday. If you decide to sing, your audience will be the dead at the
grave.
Implicature
Type: Conversational
Implicature
Flouted
Maxim: Maxim of Quality
Bankole flouted
the maxim of quality; his threat to send his boys was false as he had no boys.
The guys that helped him in carrying out this dastardly act were not his guys.
It was just an empty threat but full of violence.
2.4
Discussion of Findings
A
close examination of the use of language in Cruel Passion by
Dayo Oladele-Ilori reveals that the Maxim of Quality has the highest
occurrence. Maxim of quality was the most violated with five (5) occurrences,
followed by violation of maxim of manner with two (2) occurrences, one (1)
violation occurrence of maxim of quantity, and no violation occurrence of maxim
of relevant. These findings reveal that the perpetrator of this rape flouted
the maxim of quality to achieve his aim. His conversations were built on lies
and deceits; he tricked his victim by violating this maxim. Bankole deployed
the use of language by saying many things that were based on falsehood and
lacked adequate evidence. Ife, Bankole’s victim also violated the maxim of
manner by making her utterances ambiguous, she was not clear enough in some of
her conversations which was a sign to Bankole to carry out this evil act.
Likewise, she did not also present her case in order of requirement to show her
level of seriousness. The non-observance of one or two maxims can lead to
distortion of meanings. If due attention is paid to the hidden meanings of the
selected utterances perhaps the rape act would not have occurred.
From
the analysis of the text, language plays a significant role in the context of
the rape event because it serves as a tool for manipulation, coercion,
intimidation and deception. Bankole, the perpetrator of the rape event used
language to provide limited information to the victim (Ife) (violation of the
maxim of quantity). Bankole also used false statements to deceive Ife thereby
gaining her compliance under false pretense; he misinformed and deceived Ife
that they were going for a walk. Here, the maxim of quality is violated. In the
same vein, Bankole used obscure language to mislead Ife when he said their
teachers have given them permission to enjoy the night. His violation of the
maxim of manner created confusion for Ife which reduced her ability to clearly
understand the situation. It can be seen from the analysis of the text that
language is a powerful tool in the context of the rape event, used to
manipulate, deceive and control the victim. The violations of the Cooperative
Principles created an environment where Ife is confused, misinformed and less
able to resist or seek help.
3.0
Conclusion and Recommendation
It
is established from this study that three out of the four maxims were employed
in the selected utterances in Cruel Passion by Dayo
Oladele-Ilori. The three maxims are quality, manner and quantity. The
perpetrator of this rape in this text flouted the maxim of quality to conceal
his intention from his victim. This he achieved at the end of the day. He
engaged the use of lies, force, deceit, threat, and violence to achieve his
evil intention. The victim on her part indirectly exposed herself to the act by
being ambiguous in her conversation with the perpetrator. The implication of
this is that language users should be clear in any communicative event.
Language is a means of communication beyond surface level since there may be
hidden meanings embedded in the language use. Hence, communicators in any
conversation should critically examine the use of language to unveil any hidden
meanings which might lead to unpleasant situation like the one that occurred in
the text.
The
application of this pragmatic tool is significant to deciphering hidden
meanings. The pragmatic tool employed in this study helps to enhance the
understanding of the message as well as unraveled the intended meaning of the
text. It is glaring that no communicative clarity can occur without critically
studying its contextual properties. This helps to foreground the importance of
contextuality and contributes to the understanding of how language is used in a
particular situation. Therefore, the reader needs some contextual factors in
order to gain access to semantic elements that come together to give the
desired meanings. These pragmatic elements have played important roles in the
decoding of conveyed messages. The utterances were analyzed pragmatically by
stating the actions they performed. This analysis brought to limelight the deep
meaning that can be deduced and the meanings that cannot be discovered at
surface level. This study concludes that at times victims’ use of language may
indirectly expose them to this wrong act. Therefore, this study recommends that
victims should be clear in their use of language. However, in this article,
there are some non-linguistics elements that were not analyzed; hence, this
study also recommends that further investigation be carried out in these
highlighted areas that were not covered in this study.
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