LOMONGO AND THE USE OF POLITENESS IN EVERYDAY SPEECHES

Author: Moïse Ngondombo Likume Pengongo

ABSTRACT

The globalized world we are living in nowadays, with the world becoming as a huge village, communication between people of different horizons is more than essential. Therefore, as the matter of fact this communication has to be undertaken with regard to some requirements implying courtesy so as misunderstanding and offense can be avoided.So the appropriate or non-appropriate use of politeness can, positively or negatively, impact on inhabitants’ relationship.

The present article reveals the way Mongo people, one of the various ethnics in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, use politeness in their everyday speeches. The aim is to provide to Lomongo speech community with literature regarding their language as far as politeness is concerned. And the non-speakers of Lomongo with some basic linguistic elements of that language, in case they happen to learn it.

It worth mentioning that African continent is generally characterized by strong respect between its people. Bound to their culture, Africans feel much respect for members of their community (Ngondombo 2021). Mongo areas, as part of African society, are characterized by their notoriousness as far as politeness is concerned. Lots of examples can be given to support this point of view of an old Congolese. For instance, to behave politely, a man cannot talk face to face with his mother-in-law, or when addressing an old man the young boy or girl cannot stare at him in the eyes. Ladies must kneel when they serve men. It is impolite for a woman to pass between men, for instance. If they are asked to eat in the same plate with adults, young people must wait until the elder should start eating first, etc.

Keywords: Politeness, Use, and Lomongo

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