Abstract:
Metaphors are an ambiguous and complex genre in Kiswahili Literature
which slips into the forms of other literary genres and figurative language. This is
potrayed in their definitions and manner of classification. Although metaphors are
classified as a genre of sayings in Kiswahili oral literature their use goes above and
below the saying. Kyallo Waddi Wamitila is one of the scholars of literature who
besides having classified metaphors has also written literary works including plays.
In his plays, words have been used to convey information metaphorically in context.
This article shows the application of the conceptual metaphor theory in the analysis
of word metaphors in Wamitilas plays. Though there are also other types of
metaphors based on genre and use of figurative language such as play metaphors,
narrative metaphors, poetic metaphors, songs, conversational metaphors, proverbial
metaphors, simile metaphors, metonymy and quibbles.
Keywords: metaphor, word, conceptual
