Metaphorical Construction of Marriage among Kenyan Swahili Speakers

Abstract

This study investigates how Kenyans conceptualize marriage. It employs Metaphor Identification Procedure in identifying metaphors on marriage as they are used by Kenyan Swahili speakers. Data for this research is drawn from “Mawaidha na Bi. Msafwari” a programme aired on Citizen TV (a Kenyan TV station) every Saturday evening after the seven o’clock news. The metaphors are then subjected to analysis using The Conceptual Metaphor Theory. The study concludes that marriage is construed in different ways by Kenyan Swahili speakers, it is conceptualized as a house, an eatery, a prison, a school, a journey, a road, a body, a government/ kingdom, a garden, a war, a relationship and as a baby. The various conceptualizations by Kenyans determine their attitudes and general orientation towards marriage.