[Lexicog] literal vs figurative meanings

[Peter Kirk]

On 25/03/2004 14:27, 'Lou Hohulin' wrote:

> "Kenneth Keyes" <ken_keyes at sil.org> wrote:
> > Dear Friends,
> >
> > How would you recommend handling a word where the figurative meaning
> is more commonly used than the literal meaning?
> >
> > I have in mind the word sïbaɣa "customary portion" (of meat) fig.
> "inheritance". In the case of this word, the set expression sïbaɣasïn
> aldï should be translated "he received appropriate punishment", "he
> got his just deserts", "he got what was coming to him" "he got what he
> deserved", etc.  This set expression has become the primary
> environment in which this word is used.  Should this be treated as an
> additional sense, or a separate headword? Should the figurative
> meaning be listed ahead of the literal meaning?
>
> ...
>
> Incidentally, in Tuwali Ifugao there are a number of special 'meat
> portion' words that are still used because whenever there is a feast,
> different portions of the pigs and carabao butchered go to relatives
> depending on the 'nearness of the relationships'.
>
> Lou


On the issue of meat portions, from an anthropological and translational
rather than lexicographical perspective, see "What did Saul eat when he
first met Samuel" by Krijn van der Jagt, in The Bible Translator vol.47
no.2 April 1996 (see
http://rosetta.reltech.org/TBT/CD3/1996/02/TBT199602.html).

--
Peter Kirk
peter at qaya.org (personal)
peterkirk at qaya.org (work)
http://www.qaya.org/



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