Abstract: This paper seeks to discuss the jargon of blacksmiths. Blacksmiths exercise their duties in the domain of the forge which used to play and still plays an important role in the society. This is a sociolinguistic study which investigates fifty five words and expressions drawn from the blacksmith domain in two prominent communes, Burambi and Rumonge, in Burundi. In spite of the fact that this study was motivated by my observation of the prominence of the blacksmiths’ jargon in the two communes under study, illustrations are made with reference to other countries and other continents. This is to show that a jargon is not only localized but it is global. My main objective among others is to ensure that the art of blacksmithing which has existed for a long time should not be forgotten especially by the young generation which is supposed to take the relay baton from the old generation. From West Africa, blacksmithing spread to most, if not all the continents of the world and it paved the way for modern technological advancement which has facilitated life in various domains of human life. Jargon falls in the domain of language, which is an integral part of human life. Wherever people reside, language exists because they need to interact. A speech community uses language whereas people in any given profession use a code which is a jargon. This paper goes a step further to highlight the impact that the means of communication of blacksmiths has on language use at the local, national and international levels. The paper rounds off with the recommendation that the domain of blacksmithing should not be ignored but should be paid attention since it provided the foundation for the technology which the people of today rely on for sustenance.
Keywords: Discuss the jargon of blacksmiths, Study of Words and Expressions.
Title: A Sociolinguistic Study of Words and Expressions in the Domain of Blacksmiths
Author: Julius Suh Ayancho
International Journal of Social Science and Humanities Research
ISSN 2348-3156 (Print), ISSN 2348-3164 (online)
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