A CULTURAL AND SOCIO-PRAGMATIC ANALYSIS OF CHILDREN’S PLAY SONGS IN NKARI

Abstract

This study, ‘’A Cultural and Socio-pragmatic Analysis of Children’s Play Songs in Nkari’’, focuses on how these songs function as cultural and communicative tools within the community. Drawing on Cultural Theory (Williams, 1961; Geertz, 1973) and Socio-pragmatic Theory (Grice, 1975; Searle, 1969; Brown & Levinson, 1987), the research analyzes the content, context, and functions of Nkari children’s play songs. The study demonstrates that these songs are deeply embedded in Nkari culture, serving not only as entertainment but also as a medium for transmitting societal values such as respect, unity, and communal living. Moreover, through the lens of socio-pragmatics, the research reveals how the songs aid in socialization by teaching children communicative strategies and social norms. Through a qualitative research approach, this study examines how children’s play songs serve as a means for cultural transmission, social and all-round development. By examining the cultural and pragmatic dimensions of these play songs, the study provides insights into how language and culture intertwine in early childhood socialization within the Nkari community.