Speech Act Functions in Cross Examination Discourse in the Kenyan Courtroom
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Date
2018-05-11
Authors
Kiguru, Gatitu
Ogutu, Emily A.
Njoroge, Martin C.
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Abstract
This paper focuses on the utterances by examiners in the cross examination phase in trials in selected Kenyan courtrooms and seeks to show their use of speech act functions (other than questioning) to achieve various goals. The cross examination phase is presented in a bid to show its impact on the discourse of the participants thus preparing a presentation of the various speech act functions in this phase of trial. The data are audio recordings of proceedings from sampled courts in Kenya specifically targeting a dichotomy of trials in which accused persons are represented by counsel and those in which the defendants appear pro se. The discussion of the data is done within the framework of Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) to show how the various speech act functions in the two phases of trial are a reflection of the power asymmetry that hold among different participants in a trial.
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Journal article
Keywords
courtroom discourse, Kenya, cross examination, speech act functions
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