English Semantics And Pragmatics Question Paper

English Semantics And Pragmatics

Course:Bachelor Of Education English

Institution: Kenyatta University question papers

Exam Year:2009

KENYATTA UNIVERSITY
UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS 2008/2009
SECOND SEMESTER EXAMINATION FOR THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF
EDUCATION AND BACHELOR OF ARTS
AEN 402: ENGLISH SEMANTICS AND PRAGMATICS

DATE: MONDAY 30TH MARCH 2009 TIME: 8.00 A.M. ? 10.00 A.M.

INSTRUCTIONS:
Answer Question ONE and any TWO other questions.

1.
(a)
Give the functional-grammatical and semantic analysis of the following

sentence.

?The lecturer gave his class a take away assignment in E201?
(10 marks)

(b)
Using suitable examples of unmarked and marked sentences of your

own distinguish between Clefting and Thematic fronting.
(4 marks)

(c)
Explain the CONNOTATIVE and DENOTATIVE meanings of each
of the underlined words in the following extract.
?I warn that the two leaders, Mr. Kibaki and Mr. Raila may not succeed if,
in trying to do so, they allow petty politics to drive a wedge between them.
They will not succeed if they licence their lieutenants to throw mud at one
another on the basis of their parties
and
tribes.?
(6
marks)

(d)
What are deictics? Illustrate your answer with reference to three types.

(10 marks)

2. (a) EITHER

(i)
Describe the collaborative function of illocutionary acts
showing the contexts in which they may occur in real life. (10 marks)
Page 1 of 2

OR

(ii)
For each of the following statements indicate (a) the variety
of illocutionary function and (b) the maxim of politeness that best
accounts
for
it.
(10
marks)

I:
We must avoid a situation in which so many Kenyans might

starve.
II.
The ?Save a Life Campaign? is organized in conjunction with

Standard Chartered Bank and East African Breweries Limited.
III.
I am totally opposed to that suggestion you are putting forward.
IV.
Welcome to JODAN COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY.
V.
I am so sorry you lost your dear friend in the fire.

(b)
Discuss the suitability of the sentence as the basis of meaning in semantics.
(10 marks)

3.
Discuss ?context of situation? as theory of semantics showing its strengths and
weaknesses.

(20 marks)

4.
What four functions of language do you commonly see happening in
the Kenyatta University society? Support your answer with illustration
of each function as it occurs in KU.

(20 marks)

5.
With illustrations from the FOUR grammatical functional types of sentences in English,
Discuss
the
Tact-maxim
of
politeness. (20
marks)

*****************

Page 2 of 2

📘 Access 10,000+ CBC Exams With Marking Schemes

English Semantics And Pragmatics Question Paper

More Question Papers

Exams With Marking Schemes

End Term 3 Exams

Mid Term Exams

End Term 1 Exams

Opener Exams

Full Set Exams