A Lexical Pragmatic Approach to the Study of Metaphorical Expressions Used in Selected Kikamba Gospel Songs

Abstract

This study reveals the results of a research carried out on a lexical pragmatic approach on metaphorical expressions used in selected Kikamba gospel songs. The study aimed at analysing the types of metaphors used in the Kikamba gospels songs and their link with the Biblical message.The study purposively sampled ten Kikamba gospel songs which had metaphors created by Kikamba gospel artists.The stanzas of these songs which had the metaphors/metaphorical expressions were coded,translated and analysed using the adhoc concept of broadening a sub process of the lexical pragmatic approach.The study found out that the singers of the selected Kikamba gospel songs used different types of metaphors such as;person metaphors,body parts metaphors,natural phenomenon metaphors,cereal metaphors, modern technology metaphors and metaphors referring to things.The findings of this study showed that there is a link between the metaphor used and the Biblical message in the selected songs. The study concluded that the concept of broadening in the lexical pragmatic theory had been useful to bring out thecommuicative intention of the singer.