ABSTRACT
This chapter argues that discourse structure is indeed a product of considerations in politeness as both speaker and audience strive for cooperative social interaction. It also argues the nexus between speaker-generated discourse organizations against receiver-imposed discourse structure. It uses particles of Lubukusu for illustration. The chapter focuses on the examination of non-propositional particles purely for illustrative purposes. It suggests a hierarchy of sorts in giving priority to non-propositional particles. Each particle conveys something distinct from another particle, something non-truth-conditional that helps the hearer know how to take what is being said. The chapter separates expletives from interjections in the Lubukusu language. The use of expletives in Lubukusu follows power relations between participants and is further constrained within cohort groups. The intention of a speaker in using an expletive within his or her age group might be at times for nuanced comic relief, the reverse is true when addressing people of a higher social standing whereby it is frowned upon.
