The Use of Metaphor by Elder Male and Elder Female Kabylian Speakers in Their Everyday Social Interactions : The Case of Aïn El Hammam Region (Former : Michelet)

Abstract

This study on Kabyle speakers living in Aïn El Hammam region (Kabylie) and in Oran city aims at discovering and identifying the variety use of metaphor among the EM and EF Kabylian speakers in their everyday social interactions. To achieve this, we have based our research on a theoretical framework, which goes backward to Plato’s and Aristotelian viewpoints, and which goes forward to Black’s, Johnson’s and Lakoff’s and some other linguists’ and socio-linguists’ theories of metaphor, in order to explore the use of this fascinating phenomenon under three main structures : (the animal, the vegetable and the organic structures). The observation of such a phenomenon led us to investigate, then to study, and finally to apply models elaborated first by, Aristotle’s Comparison theory of metaphor, second by advocates of the Substitution theory of metaphor, and third by Max Black’s Interaction theory of metaphor. These three models are followed by a kind of ‘reassessment’, the so called ‘the cognitive approach to metaphor’ developed in Mark Johnson and George Lakoff (1980). The initial objectives in this work are to observe, analyse, discuss and interpret the different uses of metaphor by EM and EF Kabylian speakers in Aïn El Hammam and in Oran also. These objectives, in fact, led us to a better understanding, and paved us the way to draw a distinction about from where do the Kabyle metaphors derive, how do they function? and when do they occur? in what situations and in which contexts? The hypotheses exposed in this work helped us to clarify certain details on the use of metaphor. Why all of us resort directly or indirectly to metaphor. How our use of it can teach us a lot about ourselves and about others, about what we perceive, how we get around this world, and how we relate to other people. This also helped us identifying the strategies used by EM and EF Kabylian speakers in wrapping / dressing up the language, so as to find out an easier way of capturing something they are trying to say. The main results obtained in this research paper are that metaphors hold the mirror up to the soul aspect. They reveal facets of how we may view ourselves, others and the surroundings, and even the relationship existing between them all. Metaphor is not just a matter of ornament to dress up language, but a matter of guidance in our daily experiences such as actions and thoughts. This study ends with an overall suggestion that metaphor goes hand in hand with the KN Speakers in their everyday social interactions inside and outside their native country i.e., in Aïn El Hammam and in Oran. This is a key element to pronounce that the use of metaphor reflects and symbolizes at a time the shield of language wherever its origin is. This case study covers in particular the use of metaphor by EM and EF Kabylian informants, who manifest a positive attitude such as a strong loyalty towards the Kabyle dialect and culture. This reveals and engenders systematically group dynamics of language maintenance within Aïn El Hammam speech community and within the minority of the NK Speakers living in Oran.