Contextualization of Animal Metaphors in Igbo Semantics

Abstract

Contextualization of animal metaphor in Igbo semantics as a research is geared towards solving the problem of mixing semantic references when animals with more than one metaphorical reference is used in a discussion. The researcher intends to find out how Igbo animal metaphor is used in different contexts. The study was guided by Conceptual metaphor theory of Lakoff and Johnson (1980). The researcher adopted qualitative-ethnographic methodology. Twelve animals were selected for analysis. The findings show that the usage of animal metaphor in Igbo semantics depends on the context. This is because each of the animals projects more than one metaphorical image. Example, Shrew (nkakwụ) stands for unpreparedness and spelling of pungent ordour; dog (nkịta) stands for fast running skill, slight provocation, and high sexual urge; millipede (esu) is for slow movement, presumed blindness, and rejection by humanity; Snail (ejule) is known for slow movement, emission of saliva, and softness of body. Igbo speakers have to take into consideration the settings and occasions for the usage of each metaphor, otherwise the meaning may be lost.