A relevance-theoretic approach to the study of metaphorical expressions in selected mipasho taarab songs

Abstract

This study focuses on explaining how the interpretation of the metaphorical expressions is achieved in the selected Mipasho Taarab songs to avoid misunderstanding. The study seeks to clarify how the listeners of Mipasho Taarab songs get to understand the meaning of the metaphorical expressions used in the songs. A Relevance theoretic approach was used to account for the speaker’s meaning. Using purposive sampling, two Mipasho Taarab songs were selected and their metaphorical expressions identified and classified into Personality metaphors, Food metaphors, Commodity Metaphors and Football pitch metaphors. The study found out that context plays a key role in the interpretation of metaphorical expressions and that the ad hoc concept of broadening can be used to account for the interpretation of the metaphorical expressions in the selected Mipasho Taarab songs.