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On the pragmatics of praising

How gender movements in Africa celebrate women’s achievements in politics and society

ORCiD logo with link | Heriot-Watt University
Published online: 18 March 2025
DOI logo with link
https://doi.org/10.1075/ijolc.24003.chi
Abstract
This study analyses how and why gender movements in Africa celebrate women and their achievements. The study is rooted in the speech act theory focusing on praise and praise singing in recognition of women achievers in politics and society. Praise in this context functions as a pragmatic-discourse and political campaign strategy for achieving gender equality and political participation. By analysing campaign discourses via methods rooted in linguistics, this study argues that constant remembrance and recognition of the achievements of prominent women of history as well as the contribution of contemporary women leaders around the world, present these women as role models and symbols of inspiration for the younger generation of aspiring leaders.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
    • 1.1Defining praise and praising
    • 1.2Praise and praise singing in the African cultural context
  • 2.Gender movements and women’s achievements
  • 3.Factors limiting women’s political participation in Africa
  • 4.Methodology
  • 5.Analysis and findings
    • 5.1Celebrating women heroes of history
    • 5.2Congratulatory messages in celebration of contemporary women
    • 5.3Reporting achievements and victories
    • 5.4Ideological construction of the ingroup
  • 6.Conclusion
  • Notes
  • References
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