Metaphorical Conception of Women in Hassani Proverbs

A critical analysis study

Abstract

This article investigates the metaphorical conception of the Sahraoui Bedouin of women in an attempt to unveil the negative conceptions contributing to devaluating and belittling its position in this society. In order to achieve this, Jonathan Charteris-Black’s Critical Analysis Approach to metaphors is used as an analytical framework to disclose the dark side of portrayingwomen and thinking about them. The real purpose being making people aware of these metaphors and their negative impact that might often go unnoticed in everyday talk, especially in popular discourse. The study illustrates how Hassani proverbs metaphorically depict the Saharoui women as tents and clothes alluding to their role as fronts and shields for their husbands against sinning, but also as barriers blocking the latter’s freedom and as being replaceable. Other metaphors also suggest that a woman is but a cut tree or a sharp thorn to underestimate her value and emphasize her inferiority to man. Finally, there are many metaphors conceptualizing women as farm animals or wild ones. The former signifies that they are a species meant for breeding, entertainment and intercourse, whereas the latter is meant to warn against them being a menace and a source of danger in a clear absence to any positive connotationslinked to animalssuch asstength, independence, wit, and skill