Abstract
This study re-examines the speech act of apology by exploring how the expression “Sorry” is used in everyday Nigerian English contexts. Classical speech act theory describes apology as an admission of responsibility for an offence. However, everyday interactions in Nigeria reveal a broader range of meanings. Using a qualitative descriptive research design, the study samples 40 naturally occurring instances collected through participant observation in formal settingswithin Zaria, Kaduna State, and documented using field notes. This qualitative study investigates how “sorry” functions beyond the domain of apology. Data were selected through purposive sampling and analysed through a pragmatic framework. The analysis shows that, in many contexts, “sorry” works less as an acceptance of blame and more as a marker of empathy, solidarity, condolence, and relational alignment. Rather than indexing guilt, it frequently signals emotional support and social connectedness. Drawing on Speech Act Theoryand Politeness Theory, this study argues that Nigerian English pragmatically extends the meaning of apology into a culturally embedded practice of relational maintenance. By foregrounding everyday usage, the study contributes to cross-cultural pragmatics and highlights how global English forms are locally reshaped through social practice.
Keywords: Speech Act Theory, Apology,
Politeness Theory, Cross-Cultural Pragmatics, Nigerian English
DOI: 10.36349/sojolics.2026.v02i01.028
author/Hauwa Muhammad Zubairu
journal/Sokoto JOLICS 2(1) | June 2026 |
