Pragmatic functions of formulaic expressions in Cebuano

Natural conversations contain expressions that can be deciphered through their contextual use. These expressions are often flexible, allowing them to function beyond their literal meaning. Thus, pragmatics is functional in explaining their significance in speakers' utterances, mainly when expressing affirmation and disapproval. This study investigates the pragmatic functions of agreeing and disagreeing formulaic expressions in the Cebuano language, namely o/oo, lagi, bitaw, mao, wala, and dili. The framework of Tanangkingsing (2009) was employed to analyze and describe the functions of agreeing and disagreeing formulaic expressions in the Cebuano language used in a radio conversation. The study revealed that agreeing formulaic expressions are primarily used to convey agreement to the statements of the other participants in the conversation and affirm their own statements. On the other hand, disagreeing formulaic expressions are primarily used to convey contradiction to the perceived wrong information given by the other speakers in a conversation, opposing views or counterarguments to the opinions stated in a conversation, and expressions to serve as negation. Agreeing and disagreeing formulaic expressions in the Cebuano language have various functions depending on the context and the speaker's purpose.