THE MAIN CHARACTER’S UTTERANCES IN WUMI RAJI’S

This study applies Speech Act Theory to analyze the illocutionary force of the main character, Bundu’s, utterances in Wumi Raji’s Another Life. The research aims to categorize these speech acts to reveal Bundu’s character and illuminate the play’s core themes of political corruption and injustice.

The analysis, using Searle's taxonomy, shows that Bundu’s utterances are predominantly Assertives (reporting facts about corruption) and Expressives (lamenting his victimization). The initial commitment to truth is linguistically mapped by Assertives, while his subsequent fall from grace is reflected in the shift toward Expressives, showcasing his pain and frustration. Crucially, the power dynamic is revealed through the Declarations and Directives: corrupt figures wield the Declarations (false verdicts) to oppress him, while Bundu is often limited to performing Directives (pleas for justice).

The findings conclude that Bundu’s speech acts provide a linguistic framework for understanding the play’s critique: his attempt to assert truth is systematically crushed by the powerful, forcing him into a state where he can only express his suffering.