Language as an expression of anger in selected Namibian novels: Masked warrior and Complicated
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2025-03-07
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Journal of Communication and Cultural Trends
Abstract
This article presents a cognitive stylistic study of anger in two Namibian novels: Ndinaelao Moses’ Masked warrior and Malakia Haimbangu’s Complicated. The study evaluated the lexical expressions of anger, figurative expressions, and features of anger discourse. The study aims at probing on how the language in the selected Namibian fictional works deals with anger expressions, particulary on how authors represent societal problems through a cognitive stylistics approach. The study applied textual world theory as a theoretical framework for understanding and analysing the texts. It follows a qualitative approach, with content analysis as the primary data collection method. The results of the study showed that the texts had manipulated and maintained the readers' interest through the use of anger. The study found that words about anger are made more offensive by using figurative language terms. Additionally, the study showed that angry language might be used to show defensiveness, sorrow, or arrogance. The study found that creating writings with anger in them makes readers relate to the characters’ real-world experiences. The findings further established a key communicative function of figurative language that is simplification. Specifically, the study concluded that the strategic deployment of figurative phrases facilitates the effective transmission of complex or abstract concepts, thereby augmenting their accessibility and comprehension for the target audience. The study concluded that discourse influences how angry texts are written. The study suggests the use of alternative language and grammatical expressions that are consistent with Text World Theory, which emphasises the significance of using linguistic and cognitive strategies to create a cohesive and immersive fictional world.
Description
Journal article published Open Access by a lecturer.
Keywords
anger discourse, cognitive stylistics, figurative expressions, lexical expressions
Citation
Kambwale, E. N. & Woldemariam, H. Z. (2025). Language as an expression of anger in selected Namibian novels: Masked warrior and Complicated. Journal of Communication and Cultural Trends, 7(1), 51-77. https://doi.org/10.32350/jcct.71.03