A Linguistic Analysis of the Metaphorical Euphemisms Used in Dholuo Hiv/aids Discourse

Abstract

This research study attempts a linguistic analysis of the metaphorical euphemisms used in Dholuo HIV/AIDS discourse, using the Conceptual Metaphor theory, which analyzes metaphors in terms of target and source domains. Relevance Theory is also used mainly when metaphors used present us with ambiguities. Relevance theory‟s comprehension heuristic is used in the disambiguation of such metaphorical expressions. For purposes of this study, metaphorical expressions are regarded as conceptual strategy for structuring linguistic expression to construe meaning. The data was collected from conversations, radio broadcasts, health facilities, newspapers Dholuo music and other social gatherings. Chapter one is an introduction which comprises a brief description of the language of the study, problem statement, objectives and hypotheses. It also provides the rationale, the scope and limitations of the study, theoretical frameworks, review of literature and the research methodology. Chapter two gives a typology of Dholuo conceptual metaphors used to euphemise HIV/AIDS. The typology includes conceptualization of HIV/AIDS as: accident, calamity, animals, risky business, insect/pests, war, familiar illness, food, and journey. There is also a typology which is unclear in terms of conceptualization. Chapter three gives the analysis of metaphors used to euphemise HIV/AIDS discourse in Dholuo. First, there is the conceptual metaphor analysis and then the Relevant Theoretic analysis of the metaphors. Chapter four discusses the findings based on the analysis of data in chapter three. The last chapter provides a summary and the findings of the study. It also gives recommendation for further research.