THE SPEECH ACT OF BLAMING IN THE FRENCH AND SETSWANA SOCIOCULTURAL CONTEXTS: SEMANTICO-CONCEPTUAL REPRESENTATIONS AND LINGUISTIC REALISATIONS

Abstract

In this article we make a comparative study of semantic and conceptual representations as well as the performance of the speech act of blaming in Setswana and French. We make a general hypothesis that lexical competence in a language facilitates comprehension but does not shield from misunderstandings and linguistic obstacles if the acquisition of vocabulary is not accompanied by sufficient pragmatic competence. Lexical competence is understood here as the ability to use words appropriately and effectively in discourse.