Semantic Structure of Kîîtharaka Idiomatic Expressions

Abstract

Idiomatic expressions are an important part of language because they convey meanings that often extend beyond the literal meanings of their constituent words and reflect speakers‟ cultural experiences and conceptualizations. This study examined the semantic structure of Kîîtharaka idiomatic expressions from a Cognitive Linguistic perspective. The study adopted a qualitative descriptive design and collected data from 20 native speakers of Kîîtharaka purposively selected and supplemented through snowball sampling. Additional data were obtained through eight focus group discussions involving 40 participants. A total of 37 idiomatic expressions were identified and analyzed thematically based on their semantic structures and conceptual motivations. The findings indicate that Kîîtharaka idiomatic expressions are largely structured through conceptual metaphors, embodied experiences, cultural knowledge, and conventionalized associations between linguistic forms and meanings. The expressions represent domains such as emotions, human behaviour, social relations, experiences, and physical conditions, demonstrating that their meanings are shaped by both bodily experiences and the cultural environment of the Tharaka community. The study concludes that Kîîtharaka idioms are not arbitrary combinations of words but meaningful linguistic constructions that reflect the community‟s ways of conceptualizing and interpreting experience. The study contributes to the understanding of Kîîtharaka semantics and demonstrates the relevance of Cognitive Linguistic Theory in explaining the relationship between language, cognition, and culture.