METAPHORICAL CONCEPTUALIZATION OF EKEGUSII EUPHEMISMS IN TRADITIONAL CIRCUMCISION SONGS

Abstract

Circumcision as a cultural rite among the AbaGusii involves the use of language that is loaded with harsh or blunt words including sexual connotations. However, there are situations when it is prudent to avoid the use of words or phrases that may be unpleasant, offensive or even taboo and substitute them with euphemisms. The purpose of this study was to explore how euphemisms are metaphorically structured for cultural communicative purposes in circumcision songs. The study employed a Cognitive linguistics approach to analyze the metaphorical euphemisms commonly used in EkeGusii language and further explore the cultural factors in the creation of these metaphors. The study was guided by the following objectives; to identify and categorize the metaphorical conceptualization of euphemisms used in EkeGusii Traditional Circumcision songs, examine the conceptual mappings of metaphorical expressions of euphemisms in EkeGusii Traditional Circumcision songs and determine how the demographic variable of gender influence the metaphorical conceptualization of euphemisms in EkeGusii Traditional Circumcision songs. This study employed a descriptive research design. A combined method of elicitation and native speaker’s intuition was used to collect culture specific euphemistic expressions through Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). The Metaphor Identification Procedure (MIPVU) (Lakoff & Johnson, 1980) was utilized to find out whether the lexical items collected were metaphorical. The metaphorical euphemisms were identified from natural utterances and the conceptual mappings analyzed as posited by the conceptual Metaphor Theory (Lakoff & Johnson, 1980). The metaphorical euphemisms were transcribed and translated into English language then presented in tables. The qualitative data was analyzed thematically by coding categories then organized according to conceptual mappings and later classified into four conceptual domains using the model of Great Chain of Being metaphor. The quantitative data on the other hand was analyzed using the statistical Package for Social Sciences which is; Chi square at a significant level of 0.05 was employed to test the association between the overall cross tabulated corpus of the generic level metaphors verses the influence of demographic variable of gender on the usage of metaphorical euphemisms in EkeGusii Traditional Circumcision songs. The Findings of this study show that during circumcision songs, euphemisms were conceptualized through the singers’ basic experiences such as organisms: WILD CAT, WOMAN, SERPENT, CATTLE, objects: GRINDING STONE, CLAY, SHARPENED SPEAR, SHIELD, FIRE and state or conditions: LOVE, OIL ANNOINTMENT, WASHING YOUR HANDS, WAR. The results of the research indicate that the speakers effectively apply their understanding of the aforementioned physical domains to comprehend abstract ideas. Gender also substantially affects the conceptualization of the conceptual domains. However, the negative metaphor value of the chi-square test analysis indicated that there was no significant correlation between gender and the conceptual domain of CIRCUMCISION IS A PLANT. Metaphorical euphemism is an effective cognitive aid for conceptualizing the concept of circumcision in the ceremonies. The findings of this study not only contribute to the existing literature in cognitive linguistics but also indicate that EkeGusii speakers conceptualize circumcision through metaphorical euphemisms to ensure that the audience are on the same page when it comes to understanding these key concepts.