A discursive analysis of begging discourse by the visually impaired in Zimbabwe

Abstract

The article seeks to explore the societal perceptions and interpretations of the discourse used by the visually impaired people when begging in Zimbabwe. The paper analyses the expression of words in speech and songs during the begging process. The study emerges out of the realisation that there is a high rate of people with visual impairment begging in streets and buses. These people use spoken discourse through singing and chanting when begging from the society. Despite the economic hardships in Zimbabwe, the visually impaired are always begging and highly active on a daily basis. It is against this realisation that the article focuses on how this discourse is perceived and interpreted by different people in Zimbabwean societies. The paper provides a socio linguistic analysis of the language used during begging by the visually impaired. The main focus is on the societal perceptions and interpretations of the discourse used by the visually impaired people when begging. The article uses a qualitative research methodology with purposive sampling technique employed to gather data from the passengers in buses, the visually impaired and their guides and from bus drivers and conductors. Random selection of some people was also done to get their perceptions and interpretations on the discourse by the visually impaired people in the streets. Guided by the critical discourse analysis theory, the paper argues that the discourse used by the visually impaired is largely ‘politicised’ so as to appeal to people’s minds and get the assistance they need.