A PRAGMATIC STUDY OF THE USE OF FELICITY CONDITIONS IN THE LANGUAGE OF COMMERCIAL DRIVERS IN WASOBIA MOTOR PARK, GAGWALADA AREA COUNCIL, FCT – ABUJA, NIGERIA

Abstract

The aim of this study is to analyse the use of Felicity Conditions in
the language of commercial drivers in WASOBIA Motor Park,
Gwagwalada Area Council, FCT-Abuja. This is achieved through the
identification of the different types of felicity conditions in the
language use of the commercial drivers under study. Anchored on
the Speech ActsFelicity Condition. The data for the study were
collected in the WASOBIA motor park, Gwagwalada, Abuja via
recording and writing of the conversation and interactions of the
interlocutors involved. The data were then transcribed and translated
for analysis. The purposive sampling technique was used to select
the data analysed. The study used a descriptive and qualitative
method of data analysis in analysing the data.. The findings revealed
five types of felicity conditions which are: essentiality condition,
sincerity condition, preparatory condition, propositional content
condition and general condition. Among all, the finding showed that
sincerity condition, essentiality condition, and propositional content
condition were majorly observed by the commercial drivers but the
most obeyed by the drivers is the sincerity condition. The study
therefore concludes that felicity and infelicity condition are a
significant part of the language use of the commercial drivers
understudy.