Sexist Overtones in Kiswahili Female Metaphors: A Critical Analysis
Inyani K. Simala
ABSTRACT: The study is a critical analysis of sexist overtones in Kiswahili female metaphors. It analyses Kiswahili female metaphors with due consideration to their form, topic, content and contextual use. The study shows that Kiswahili female metaphors have been used by men to win women over. Nevertheless, occasionally they may be employed as expletives. Attitudes towards female metaphor use have been found to be negative. Most of the respondents rejected men’s use of metaphors as being insincere, and as meant to flatter, deceive and exaggerate. To prove that female metaphors were degrading, both male and female interviewees were against their use, with the former showing the greatest disapproval for such metaphors in their reference.