The Sesotho passive voice: A significant resource for witnesses in Lesotho commissions of inquiry

Abstract

Effective communication plays a vital role in commissions of inquiry. Through such communication, commissioners can probe witnesses, receive the information they need for their investigations, and make informed conclusions and recommendations. Bearing in mind the role played by language in communicative events such as inquiry commissions, witnesses seem to use language for purposes other than the apparent purpose of providing information to the commissioner. This paper adopts a qualitative approach to critically analyse the use of passive voice by witnesses summoned to testify before the Leon and Phumaphi commissions in Lesotho. Analysing the audio recordings compiled during the commission proceedings, the study reveals that passive voice became a protective resource that testifiers utilised to withhold sensitive information, particularly the names of individuals involved in the atrocities that occurred during the political riots in the country. It also signified individuals that witnesses either did or did not know. The study draws on the theory of implicature and politeness theory to unravel the implicature behind the witnesses’ utterances. In the end, the implications of the study for transforming discourse in inquiry commissions are discussed.