Pragmatic Acts of Humour: Analysis of Wole Soyinka's Death and The King's Horseman

This research explored the pragmatic acts of humour in Wole Soyinka's Death and the King's Horseman to uncover the linguistic mechanisms underpinning comedic elements in the text. The aim was to explore the elements of humour creation through an analysis of pragmatic acts, considering linguistic features such as wordplay, incongruity, and cultural context. Employing a qualitative research design, the data source comprised excerpts from the play, and the data collection involved a thorough examination of dialogues highlighting pragmatic acts of humour. The analysis revealed various types of pragmatic acts, including wordplay, incongruity, and implicature, contributing to the humour woven into the narrative. The findings emphasized the centrality of language, cultural references, and pragmatic elements in the construction of humour within the play. The conclusion highlighted the significance of linguistic devices and pragmatic strategies in shaping the comedic tone of the text. This research contributes to knowledge by providing an understanding of the interplay between language and humour in literary works, particularly within the context of African drama.