Kasem Metaphoric Extensions of &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;yi&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; ‘Eye’ and &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;yuu&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; ‘Head’ Expressions

Umar Abdul-Hakim

doi:10.11648/j.ijla.20190701.16

Abstract

This paper studies the metaphorical extensions of the human body parts of yi ‘eye’ and yuu ‘head’ among the Kasena. We examine how these expressions are used to conceptualise a broader view of the people and whether these metaphorical expressions have a specific style and structure. We also argue that yi ‘eye’ and yuu ‘head’ as in the expressions collected are polysemic in Kasem. Data for the study were collected from Kasem level 200 and 300 students of the College of Languages Education, Ajumako of the University of Education, Winneba and our native speaker intuition as well. The conceptual metaphor theory (CMT) is adopted for the study. The analysis clearly shows that these expressions are employed as instruments in the expressing of trait or character of individuals. In terms of structure, it is worth mentioning that these expressions have specific structure. The body part is obligatory and then followed by a verb or an adjective to make the structure grammatical. However, if the verb or adjective precedes the human body part the structure becomes not meaningful. It is further established that the two expressions, lexicalise expressions of emotion and perception.

Highlights

The Concept of MetaphorAll over the world, metaphoric concepts are important for the understanding of any type of discourse
The live metaphor can be understood after paying attention to the comparism, whiles in trying to understand the dead metaphor one does not need to think about the primary meaning of every word or its metaphorical element, it is worth noting that in understanding the dead metaphor one has to have the basic knowledge of the idiomatic constructions of the lexicon of the language
It is quite clear and pertinent to re-echo the fact that the human body part yuu ‘head’ as used in the above expressions is polysemic and in cases where the adjectives, verbs and nouns occur before the human body part the structure does lose its metaphorical meaning but becomes ungrammatical in Kasem

Summary

Introduction

Metaphoric concepts are important for the understanding of any type of discourse. Metaphors cannot be understood properly when one does not know of the background of the metaphor [14] This can be applied to the body part metaphoric expressions of Kasem as one will have to understand the cultural traits and experiences of the Kasena in order to make meaning out of these expressions. In the theory of embodiment concepts, the body forms the basis through which we perceive and socialize the world Reason for this is posited by as unfamiliar concepts best understood through concrete concepts acquired through bodily experience [9] & [11]. It is pertinent to mention the fact that body parts expressions make use of cultural based conceptual frames which are mostly not studied but are naturally used by native speakers; these may differ between different cultures [1]

The Kasena

The Concept of yi ‘Eye’ and Yuu ‘Head’ Among the Kasena

Theoretical Framework

Data Collection Methods

Data on yi ‘Eye’ and yuu ‘Head Expressions

Data Analysis

Analysis of yi ‘Eye’ Expressions

Analysis of ‘yuu’ Head Expressions

Advantages and Disadvantages in Using These Metaphors

Conclusion