Ecolinguistic Analysis of Kalenjin Narratives

Illustrations from Discourses on River Protection

Abstract

This paper ecocritically analysed the language forms chosen by the folk narrative composer to establish how the language is used to contribute to the protection of water sources. Fairclough’s Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) approach was adopted as the method of analysis. Results indicate that there are experiential, relational and expressive values embedded in the folk narrative while verbs and the active voice are the language forms employed. In addition, representation of actions as material processes and foregrounding of agency are language strategies that play an important role in aiding the protection of the environment. Besides, punishment, a non-linguistic strategy is used to persuade listeners to avoid actions that pollute water sources.