A study on figurative language used in selected kipsigis songs. A lexical pragmatic analysis

Abstract

This study presented the results of linguistic study on the language used in selected Kipsigis songs. The study uses a lexical pragmatics framework. What the study aimed at was to examine lexical items that form the nucleus of meaning and analyzes its variation as perceived by the audience. The findings affirmed that lexical items use in the selected songs are transfer of meaning which acquire activation through encyclopaedic entry that work as weak implicatures in the Relevance Theory. Chapter one provides the introduction, the background to the study, statement of the problem, objectives, hypotheses, scope and limitations, theoretical framework, literature review, methodology and conclusion. Chapter two focuses on the linguistic nature and characteristics of the songs under study. The chapter discussed the choice of vocabulary and linguistics strategies that artists employ in their songs. The chapter discussed various figurative elements which include metaphors, symbolisms, proverbs and sayings and personification. It also discussed word formation processes like borrowing, derivation and clipping. Chapter three concentrates on the analysis of several lexical items used in the selected Kipsigis songs. Meanings of several lexical items used figuratively in the selected songs were examined. Lexical pragmatic theory was used to explain the lexical items that may pose misinterpretation and misunderstanding in the selected songs. Some of the aspects treated in the analyses of figurative language include metaphors, symbolism, personification and proverbs which proved to be prevalent in the selected songs. The Chapter demonstrated that the meaning of lexical items used in the selected Kipsigis songs go beyond the usual linguistics properties of utterances, hence there was a need to use contextual information to arrive at the expected interpretations. Finally chapter four is a summary of the findings and recommendations were presented. It provides a suggestion for a further research.