Seeing through the Eyes of the Mind: A Cognitive Metaphorical Analysis of Vision-Related Expressions in Igbo
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.60787/jolan.vol6no1.475Keywords:
Igbo, Visual Metaphor, Eyes, Cognition, Conceptual Metaphor TheoryAbstract
This research investigates the use of visual metaphors in the Igbo language, focusing on expressions that portray “Seeing through the eyes of the mind”. The objective is to identify and analyze how the Igbo conceptualize thought, knowledge, and understanding through sightrelated terms, particularly /anya/ “eyes”. Guided by Conceptual Metaphor Theory (CMT), the study treats vision as the source domain and thought, knowledge, and perception as target domains. Data for this research were gotten from interviews. The findings show that Igbo speakers metaphorically link seeing with knowing, clarity of vision with clarity of thought and eye-opening with enlightenment. This paper concludes that visual metaphors are not ornamental but central to Igbo Cognition, shaping how meaning, truth, and awareness are expressed.
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