Work

Authoritative Modes of Speech in a Central Himalayan Ritual

Year: 2016
Type: article
Abstract: The authoritative character of an utterance depends not only on the social identity of the speaker, but also on the aesthetic power of the style of speaking. Using Jakobson’s six functions of language as a framework, this paper presents two modes of speech realized in rituals of divine possession in the Central Himalayan region. The ritual forefronts two sources of authoritative language—a socially recognized master of ceremonies and an incarnate divinity—each of which has his or her own social source of authority, but also rely on marked forms of speech to solidify their role and convey their messages in an effective way.
Author: John Leavitt
Language: English
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W2566747153
FWCI: 10.2
Cites: 25
Cited by: 5
Related to: 10