Metaphors on HIV/AIDS Discourse Among Oluluyia Speakers of Western Kenya

John M. Kobia (Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology)

Volume 2, Issue 2

Abstract

Since the emergence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (herein refered in this essay throughout as HIV/AIDS) epidemic in Kenya in the 1980s, studies on the same are numerous (Kwena 2004, NACC 2005, Achoka 2007). Quite a number of studies have been done on metaphor (Lakoff & Johnson 1980, Sontag 1989, Goatly 1997, Kovecses 2002, Charteris-Black 2004, Machakanja 2006). Since the first case of HIV/AIDS was reported in Kenya in 1984, many allusions and metaphors have been created and used by various speech communities to communicate the message on the pandemic. However, scholarly studies on metaphors used in relation to HIV/AIDS in general, if any, are very few. As far as the researcher is concerned, studies on metaphors related to HIV/AIDS among Oluluyia speakers of Western Kenya, in particular have been lacking. The abundance of utterances conveying metaphors used in reference to HIV/AIDS and related issues in Oluluyia is a sociolinguistic-cum-discourse analytical issue that calls for investigation. This essay, analyses language used in relation to HIV/AIDS and related issues among the Oluluyia speakers of Western Kenya.

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