A semantic analysis of Dholuo metonymy using cognitive Semantics theory

Abstract

The goal of this study was the semantic analysis of Dholuo Conceptual Metonymy using Cognitive Semantics Theory. Metonymy has largely been studied as a figure of speech. This study attempts a cognitive interpretation of Dholuo metonymy. The study shows interplay of the mind, language and experience among Dholuo speakers. The data was collected from social gatherings, conversations, newspapers, radio broadcasts and Dholuo music. The categorization of data was based on Kovecses (2002) typology of domains or ICMs. The findings show that metonymy is a cognitive means for people to conceptualise the world around them; and it is a way of thinking used widely in people’s daily life. The findings also reveal that metonymic concepts are dependent on the socio-physical environment and are systematic. Chapter one is an introduction which comprises a brief description of the language of the study, statement of the problem, the objectives and hypotheses. It also provides the rationale, the scope and limitations of the study, theoretical framework, review of literature and the research methodology. In chapter two, Dholuo metonymy is isolated from other ways of meaning transference or figures of speech such as metaphor, synecdoche, personification and simile. Chapter three gives a typology of Dholuo Conceptual Metonymy. The typology is based on metonymy-producing relationships (ICMs). The main ICMs are part-whole, whole-part and part metonymies. In chapter four, analysis of the data is done based on the tenets of Cognitive Semantics Theory. Observations are also made in this chapter. Chapter five is a discussion of the observations. The observations include metonymy being ubiquitous, metonymic configurations being systematic, metonymy operating within a frame or ICM, and that metonymy is embodied. Chapter six provides a summary and the findings of the study. It also gives recommendations for further research.