Metaphors and Meaning in the Editorials of the New Era
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METAPHORS AND MEANING IN THE EDITORIALS OF THE NEW ERA NEWSPAPER, 2016: A LINGUISTIC EXPLORATION A THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS IN ENGLISH STUDIES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NAMIBIA BY NAITSIKILE NDATEGAKO IIZYENDA 200219979 APRIL 2018 SUPERVISOR: PROF. J. KANGIRA ABSTRACT Metaphors enrich a language and help people understand abstract or unfamiliar content. By linking abstract information to a concrete concept, it becomes easier for people to understand the information. This thesis is an investigation into the meaning of metaphors that appear in the editorials of the New Era newspaper. The purpose of the study was to examine the use and functions of different types of metaphors and how metaphors contribute to convey the meaning of the message in the editorials of the newspaper. The research also explored the various influences of cultural elements on metaphors. This research was qualitative in nature. The data collected were critically examined using the Metaphor Identification Procedure (MIP), a tool that is used to identify metaphor in discourse. The study is informed by the Conceptual Metaphor Theory (CMT). The investigation reveals that our thoughts and perceptions about target domains are structured in metaphors which are common in our everyday experiences. Furthermore, the study shows that a proper interpretation of a metaphoric utterance ultimately requires a reader’s knowledge of mappings or correspondences between the literal senses of words used in their source domains and the distinct figurative meaning they have gained in the target domain. The research reveals that metaphors are common in newspaper discourse and contributes to the existing body of knowledge on Namibian newspaper discourse. i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This dissertation could not have been completed without the great support that I have received from so many people during the two years of the MAES programme. I wish to offer my most heartfelt thanks to the following people: Firstly, I owe a deep debt of gratitude to the University of Namibia for providing me with the financial support for this work. Secondly, to my lecturers Prof. J Kangira, Dr N Mlambo, Dr TC Smit and Dr R Makamani, thank you for the lessons, advice and support. To my supervisor, Prof. J Kangira, thank you for the support. A heartfelt appreciation to my classmates Hambeleleni, Katrina and Mercy and the new friendships we so easily formed. Thank you for all of the chats and words of encouragement. My colleagues at UNAM Press deserve a special mention. Thank you for allowing me to take on this opportunity and putting up with the endless hours I was out of office attending classes. A special thank you to Dr Jill Kinahan for your encouraging words and taking the time to edit and proofread the many pages of this thesis. To the ultimate best friend, Nelago Ashipala, you remain an inspiration in my life. Thank you for always pushing me to strive for the best. Dr Napandulwe Shiweda, despite your busy schedule you’ve always made time for me. Thank you for keeping your office door open and available for all the times when I needed it and for being such an inspiring friend. Golda Ha-Eiros, thank you for your encouraging words and always knowing how to cheer me up. To my person, Naushure Ndoroma, without your constant support and consideration, this accomplishment would not have been possible. You recognized that I at times ii needed to work alone but also made sure to check in on me so that I stayed on the right path. And to all my friends and family who are not mentioned by name, ondapandula. iii DEDICATION A special feeling of gratitude to my loving parents, who are my biggest inspiration. iv DECLARATION I, Naitsikile Ndategako Iizyenda, hereby declare that this study is my own work and is a true reflection of my research, and that this work, or any part thereof has not been submitted for a degree at any other institution. No part of this thesis/dissertation may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by means any (e.g. electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise) without the prior permission of the author, or The University of Namibia in that behalf. I, Naitsikile Ndategako Iizyenda, grant The University of Namibia the right to reproduce this thesis in whole or in part, in any manner or format, which The University of Namibia may deem fit. ……………………… ……………….. …… ……………… Name of Student Signature Date v Table of Contents ABSTRACT ............................................................................................................................. i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ...................................................................................................ii DEDICATION........................................................................................................................ iv DECLARATION..................................................................................................................... v CHAPTER 1 ........................................................................................................................... 1 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Orientation to the study ......................................................................................... 1 1.2 Statement of the problem ...................................................................................... 2 1.3 Objectives of the study ........................................................................................... 3 1.4 Significance of the study ........................................................................................ 3 1.5 Limitation of the study .......................................................................................... 4 1.6 Summary ................................................................................................................. 4 CHAPTER 2 ........................................................................................................................... 5 LITERATURE REVIEW AND THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK ................................ 5 2.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................ 5 2.2 Definitions of metaphor ......................................................................................... 5 2.3 Background: overview of theories of metaphor .................................................. 6 2.3.1 Comparison theory of metaphor .................................................................. 6 2.3.2 Substitution theory of metaphor ................................................................... 8 2.3.3 Interaction theory of metaphor..................................................................... 9 2.4 The concept of metaphor ..................................................................................... 10 2.5 The cognitive linguistic view of metaphor ......................................................... 17 2.5.1 The conceptual metaphor ............................................................................ 17 2.6 Metaphors and culture ........................................................................................ 23 2.7 Functions of metaphors ....................................................................................... 27 2.8 Newspaper editorials ........................................................................................... 28 2.8.1 Origins and definitions ................................................................................ 28 2.8.2 Types of editorials in newspapers ............................................................... 29 2.9 Related studies ...................................................................................................... 31 2.10 Theoretical framework ........................................................................................ 33 2.10.1 Metaphor identification procedure (MIP) ................................................. 34 2.10.2 Conceptual metaphor theory ...................................................................... 35 2.11 Summary ............................................................................................................... 36 vi RESEARCH METHODOLOGY ....................................................................................... 38 3.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................... 38 3.2 Research design .................................................................................................... 38 3.3 Population ............................................................................................................. 39 3.4 Sample ................................................................................................................... 39 3.5 Procedure .............................................................................................................. 40 3.6 Data analysis ......................................................................................................... 41 3.7 Research ethics ..................................................................................................... 43 3.8 Summary ............................................................................................................... 44 CHAPTER 4 ........................................................................................................................