Metaphors Otumfoɔ Lives by: A Cognitive Linguistic Study of Metaphors in some Addresses by Otumfoɔ Osei Tutu ii, Asantehene

Abstract

This paper is a cognitive linguistic study of metaphors in some addresses by His Majesty Otumfoɔ Osei Tutu ii, Asantehene, within the framework of the Conceptual Metaphor Theory (cmt), put forward by Lakoff and Johnson (1980). The aim was to identify the metaphors underlying some of his expressions, and also to demonstrate how ideological values are subtly intertwined with metaphors in diplomatic discourse. Among others, the following metaphors were identified: LIFE IS A JOURNEY, LIFE IS A BATTLE, IDEAS ARE FOOD, KNOWING IS SEEING, DEATH IS A LOSS and DEATH IS SLEEP/REST. The analysis also reveals that a small set of primary metaphors – LIFE IS A JOURNEY and LIFE IS A BATTLE provide basic level structure for complex metaphors. The understanding and explanation of the metaphors are closely related to the social and cultural beliefs of the King, thus revealing the existence of a coherent conceptual organisation which derives from our bodily and social experience.