Metaphors in Dimasa and Rabha – A comparative study

In this paper, we will discuss metaphors based on some semantic domains such as codes, threats, pride and so on, in two Tibeto-Burman languages, Dimasa and Rabha. An example of a Dimasa metaphor of threat is illustrated here. The literal meaning of daudI daInba is “cutting of egg” while the figurative meaning is ‘killing somebody with spell’. The vehicle here is ‘cutting of egg’ which is similar in meaning to the topic ‘killing somebody’. Nowadays, in Dimasa society, this is used to threaten somebody indirectly so that, that threatened person will not bother him again. In Rabha, a metaphor of pride kumpak kut∫uŋ literally means ‘enlarging somebody’s nose’, whose figurative meaning is ‘flattery and self-pride’. This is used when a person is flattered by another. In this example, the vehicle is ‘enlarging somebody’s nose’ and the topic is ‘pride’. Morphological processes and a comparative study of the metaphors in these two languages will be discussed here besides their socio-cultural relevance in the present world.