Communicative effectiveness of figurative language in dowry negotiation discourse among kikamba speakers

Abstract

This study focuses on explaining how the interpretation of figurative language is realized in the Kamba dowry negotiation. The study attempts to clarify how the participants in this social-cultural practice overcome the constraints related to the figurative language. Interpretation leading to successful communication; thus paving way for marriage to take place .The research outlines the informativity of figurative language as well as the role of cultural background knowledge in the interpretation of the figurative expression in the dowry negotiation among the Akamba. Using qualitative research methods of direct observation and interviewing the study reveals that interpretations of these figures of speech are realized pragmaticaly through narrowing and broadening processes of lexical pragmatics theory and that cultural knowledge acts as a context for inferencing .The deeper and hidden meaning of the figurative language as shown by the many functions it plays in a communication discourse makes it appropriate for use in the Kamba dowry negotiation practice.