The portrayal of men and women in selected Bukusu circumcision songs: a lexical pragmatic approach

Abstract

This project presented a linguistic study on the lexical items used in selected Bukusu circumcision songs. The study sought to find out how these lexical items portray men and women. The selected songs mainly used figurative language in communicating their message. Chapter one provides the introduction, the background to the study, the background to the language, statement of the problem, objectives and hypotheses, scope and limitations, theoretical framework, literature review and methodology. Chapter two discussed the linguistic strategies used by singers in portraying men and women. The chapter discussed strategies like the use of tabooed words and euphemism. It also discussed the various figurative elements which include metaphors, symbolism and irony. Chapter three focused on how men and women have been portrayed in selected Bukusu circumcision songs. The chapter carefully and selectively discussed a whole range of figurative language used in selected songs. The figurative language used is borrowed from different areas of experience. The study found that singers in selected Bukusu circumcision songs use euphemistic and appealing lexical items when referring to men and denigrating and sharp edged descriptions when referring to women. To help in analyzing the lexical items, chapter four made use of the lexical pragmatic approach rounded in relevance theory. The selection of the theory based on the understanding that context takes a major role in determining the intention of the singers in the songs. The chapter examined the meanings of several lexical items used figuratively in selected songs. By using the lexical pragmatic approach, the study attempted to determine the intention of the singers (speakers) in using different figurative language. The findings show that the lexical items used in selected songs are a transfer of meaning which acquire activation through encyclopedic entries, contextual implications and pragmatic expectations or principles. Some of the aspects analyzed include metaphors, symbolism and irony.Finally in chapter five a summary of the findings and recommendations was presented. The recommendation provides us with a suggestion for further research.