Image schema of the verb ‘gba’ in Igbo semantics

Abstract

The attentions of many linguists have been attracted to the
study of conceptual interaction. In English, analyses have
been done on different aspects of this field. Just few
studies have been done on cognitive semantics in the Igbo
language. This study therefore looks at the semantics of
the verb ‘gba’ as further contribution to the few studies
already done in the area. Using a descriptive method, the
meanings of the verb are analysed in the light of the
image schemata. This study, contrary to the view of some
scholars that the Igbo verb root is a semantic dummy,
examines how image schema, a principle of cognitive
semantics may be used to analyse the Igbo verb. The study
uses metaphor and image schemata in analyzing some
Igbo inherent complement verb (ICV) constructions,
compound verb structure, verbal complex structures and
sentences that contain the verb ‘gba’. The image
schemata of path, containment and force form the basis of
analysis for the conceptualization of the ‘gba’ based
constructions. The study reveals that with appropriate
complements, the verb ‘gba’ which is commonly glossed
as ‘set forth’ can yield other semantic imports such as
kick , dance, spray, run, ejaculate, water etc as seen in the analysis. Our analysis also discloses that the image
schemata of ‘gba’ are experientially based conceptual
constructs which can be metaphorically extended from
physical and concrete to psychological and abstract domains
and such schemata are seen as the building blocks of
metaphor. The study equally reveals that the verb root is not
an empty dummy as some scholars contend.