A Semantic Analysis of Conceptual Metaphor Expressions Drawn from Kisukuma Spatial Prepositions

Thobias Jackson Mwogela
Department of General Management
Tanzania Institute of Accountancy
https://orcid.org/0009-0009-3246-2713
Email: thobiasmogella@yahoo.com

Abstract: This paper analyzes the conceptual metaphors derived from Kisukuma spatial prepositions. Image schema theory and conceptual metaphor theory were employed to characterise various figurative expressions and conceptual metaphors used in conversations among the Sukuma people. This qualitative study utilised a self-data generation method for data collection, as the researcher is a native speaker of the language under study. Lakoff’s (1980) conceptual metaphor theory was used to characterise various conceptual metaphors as used in Kisukuma. The analysis focused on the Kimunasukuma dialect that is regarded as standard. It was established that Kisukuma prepositions are used metaphorically to express various senses in social conversations. Prepositions such as hi-kwi-gulya, mu-ku-mwi-, hasilili, ha-/ku-bhutongi, and hanuma are used as conceptual metaphors. However, not all prepositions can be used in this way. Furthermore, the study confirmed that metaphors are constructed from two inputs: the preposition and the noun phrase, although a single preposition can also stand as a conceptual metaphor. Features of the source domain (Landmark, LM) are mapped onto the target domain (Trajectory, TR) to derive the meaning of the metaphor. These concepts were adopted from Image Schema theory to characterise conceptual metaphors drawn from Kisukuma prepositions.