A Cognitive Linguistics Analysis

A language like G k y is the result of human cognition whose structure and function is based on people's experiences. Some human experiences are too dysphemistic to be discussed without linguistic interdiction. Therefore, a clear understanding of euphemisms will help us uncover how a speaker's mind works in a cognitive context. This book also identifies the semantic and lexical processes involved in the formation of euphemisms and how these processes blunt the impact of the language to omit specific implication that would unequivocally identify the referent. In addition, this book also looks at the influence of gender in the usage of G k y euphemisms and also accounts for the analysis of euphemisms using the Conceptual Metaphor Theory (CMT). The findings of this study indicate that in spite of a few violations of the tenets of Conceptual Metaphor Theory, CMT gives us insights into the cognitive perspective of euphemisms as a way to attenuate the target domains of death; sexual intercourse; diseases; excretion and body effluvia and anatomy. The findings of this research may be of importance to teachers, court interpreters, media practitioners, counsellors and sex educators.

Autorentext

Moses Gatambuki Gathigia, MA: Studied English and Linguistics at Kenyatta University. Adjunct lecturer at Kenyatta University and Karatina University College. Also pursuing a PhD in English and Linguistics at Kenyatta University, Kenya. Dr. Ruth W. Ndung'u,PhD: Lecturer of English and Linguistics at Kenyatta University.

Klappentext

A language like Gikuyu is the result of human cognition whose structure and function is based on people's experiences. Some human experiences are too dysphemistic to be discussed without linguistic interdiction. Therefore, a clear understanding of euphemisms will help us uncover how a speaker's mind works in a cognitive context. This book also identifies the semantic and lexical processes involved in the formation of euphemisms and how these processes blunt the impact of the language to omit specific implication that would unequivocally identify the referent. In addition, this book also looks at the influence of gender in the usage of Gikuyu euphemisms and also accounts for the analysis of euphemisms using the Conceptual Metaphor Theory (CMT). The findings of this study indicate that in spite of a few violations of the tenets of Conceptual Metaphor Theory, CMT gives us insights into the cognitive perspective of euphemisms as a way to attenuate the target domains of death; sexual intercourse; diseases; excretion and body effluvia and anatomy. The findings of this research may be of importance to teachers, court interpreters, media practitioners, counsellors and sex educators.