Riding with respect: politeness in conversation between bodaboda riders and their clients in Mbooni Sub-County, Makueni, Kenya

Abstract

This study investigated the use of politeness strategies in the interactions between bodaboda riders and their clients in Mbooni Sub-County, Makueni, Kenya. A qualitative research approach, utilizing purposive sampling, was employed. Observations and interviews were used to collect the data. Data obtained from the interviews were first transcribed from Kikamba to English before being coded for analysis. This analysis was guided by Brown and Levinson’s (1987) politeness theory. Critical analysis of the utterances was done with the aim of identifying the politeness strategies utilized within these interactions. The findings revealed that both bodaboda riders and clients consistently used politeness strategies to maintain each other’s face. The predominant strategy was positive politeness, followed by on-record and off-record strategies. Negative politeness and silence strategies were infrequently utilized. Anticipated payoffs and the relational dynamics between the interlocutors influenced the choice of the politeness strategies. These findings highlight the significant role of politeness strategies in improving communication in the bodaboda industry. Pragmatically, the results offer valuable insights for enhancing communication between bodaboda riders and clients, thus contributing to communication studies. The study provides crucial information for transport sector policymakers, supporting the creation of regulations that promote politeness to enhance service experience and customer satisfaction.