Abstract:
Cohesion and coherence are very essential in enabling communication. Cohesion and coherence are effected by use of different devices; among these devices are conjunctive forms. This study analyzes the Morphology, Syntax and Semantics of the conjunctive forms, structure, interrelatedness and semantic functions. The research uses Systemic Functional Grammar (SFG) to study and analyze how conjunctive forms in Gusii spoken texts enhance cohesion and coherence. The study is guided by te principle of SFG that language is formed of closed systems that enhance meaning. It is also embodied in the principle of SFG that the biggest importance of language is its meaning in societal context. The research is also built on the SFG‟s principle that lays emphasis on text to analyse how different conjunctive forms are used in Gusii spoken texts so as to effect cohesion and coherence and which other functions they play when used in Gusii spoken texts. The researcher tape-recorded monologic narratives and naturally occurring conversations on different issues of life by different Gusii speakers. He embarked on intentional sampling of four native speakers of the Gusii language to help him in grammaticality judgment; in determining the acceptability of the identified conjunctive forms by the Gusii natives. He later engaged his linguistic competence in analysing the functions of the identified forms in particular texts. The study found out that the conjunctive forms in Gusii spoken texts have distinctive forms and structures. It also concluded that these conjunctive forms are interrelated and that apart from enhancing cohesion and coherence they also have other pragmatic and semantic functions. The study recommends that there be done studies in other Bantu languages to establish which other functions apart from cohesion and coherence are effected by conjunctive forms. Also there is need to do studies to realize whether in those languages, there is interrelatedness of the different conjunctive forms. There is also need to carry out research on different conjunctive forms basing on different theoretical frameworks to realize whether the functions witnessed in this study are also evident.
