Felicity conditions in a scene from T.M. Mofokeng's Sekhona sa Jwala

Abstract

The aim of the article is to explain how, in a crucial dialogue from the play, the intended goal of the communication between Phephei (the illocutor) and Morongoe (operating mainly in perlocutory capacity) is achieved. Using the speech-act theory, it is shown how various felicity conditions are met, conditions which facilitate meaningful communication, inter alia by providing the presuppositional framework required by the situation. The success of the dialogue is illustrated by classifying utterances according to the semiotic taxonomy of J.R. Searle.