Vital Relations in Dholuo Conceptual Metaphors

Abstract

Our conversations are laced with conceptual metaphors which are pivotal in meaning construction. These metaphors are embedded in our conceptual systems. This study sought to examine vital relations in Dholuo conceptual metaphors limited to human body parts, animals and food. Vital relation is a pivotal principle in the Conceptual Integration Theory (CIT) initiated by Fauconnier and Turner (2002); it plays a key role in the conceptualization of metaphors in Dholuo. Data was collected using an interview schedule which was augmented with a tape recorder. A total of one hundred and fifty metaphorical expressions were collected and analysed qualitatively. The study revealed that vital relations such as Analogy, Part-Whole, Similarity, Disanalogy and Category are registered in Dholuo conceptual metaphors limited to human body parts, food and animals. Additionally, the study found out that although vital relations are significant, not all of them are manifested in a single Dholuo conceptual metaphor. The study further revealed that Analogy and Part-Whole were the most pervasive vital relations in Dholuo conceptual metaphors.