Abstract:
The HIV scourge has been in our society for more than three decades and during that
period more than 34 million people have been affected by the disease in the world. In
addition, according to UNAIDS (2012) more than 18 million people have died.
Initially, the HIV&AIDS disease caused a lot of destruction and consquently, it
became the most feared disease in the history of mankind. This study analyses figures
of speech and style in selected Kiswahili Literature texts on HIV&AIDS. The
statement of the problem is that many studies that have been done on style havent
examined it as an independent and important varable that can be used to analsye
themes on broader perspectives. The study was guided by the following specific
objectives: to analyse figures of speech and style that are used to expouse issues of
HIV&AIDS in selected Kiswahili works, to asses how figures of speech and style
have been used to present objectives regarding HIV/AIDS in selected Kiswahili
works and to analyse the role of style and the contribution of selected Kiswahili texts
in the fight against HIV/AIDS. This study was carried out in the library and adopted
the case study design. The theory of Stylistics that was pioneered and used by Buffon
(1930) guided this study. This theory refers to the method of analysis of literary texts
in a scientific way. It puts emphasis on the role of aesthetics of language in literary
works. Language and literature employed aesthetics to present ideas in works of art.
Aesthetics was presented in the use of language creatively for the purpose of
moulding an idea and presenting it to the audience in an impressive way. Guided by
the tenets of this theory, the researcher analysed selected works of Kiswahili literature
from three genres: novels, plays and short stories that were selected purposefully to
arrive at suitable data that would satisfy the requirements of the study. Purposeful
sampling procedure was used to select ten literary works that formed the sample size
of this study. The selected novels include: Sitaki Iwe Siri by Matundura (2008), Ua la
Faraja by Mkufya (2005), Pendo Katika Shari by Momanyi (2008) and Kala Tufaha
by Omar (2007). Selected plays were: Giza by Jilala (2004), Kilio Chetu by Medical
Aid Foundation (1995) and Orodha by Steve Reynolds (2006). Selected short stories
were: Alidhani Kapata na Hadithi Nyingine by Iribemwangi (2007), Likizo ya Mauti
na Hadithi Nyingine by King’ei and Kobia (2007) and Kiti cha Moyoni na Hadithi
Nyingine by Walibora and Mohamed (2007). In this study, i picked specific data text
fragments that were clearly aligned to the objectives of the study. Data that was
collected was recorded and analysed as guided by specific objectives, together with
the tenets of the stylistic theory. Results were presented in a descriptive form. On
objective one, the study established that many authors mostlly used similes, code
mixing, riddles, imagery and sayings to present HIV/AIDS related matters. In light of
objective two, the study established that despite the differences in the genres and
style, different artists have similar underlying concerns that are presented regarding
HIV /AIDS. In respect to objective three, the study established different ways in
which Kiswahili literature can be used to fight HIV/AIDS. The study has found out
the style that is used in literature has a great effect on determining how the message
will be recieved. Style is a critical component in any literary work for it enables it to
be well understood by readers. This study concludes that similar messages of
HIV/AIDS can be presented by authors in different ways and styles. This study
recommends that other than science, literature can be used as an alternative way in the
fight against HIV/AIDS. The study also recommends that future researchers could
investigate HIV/AIDS as a societal concern in other genres like poetry and other texts
by using other theories