Gesturing the unspoken: Conceptualization of social hierarchy in Hausa

Social hierarchy is often conceptualized as a spatial domain. In Western culture, the vertical axis is dominant and clauses like: he has climbed the social ladder are triggered by the metaphor HIGH (SOCIAL) STATUS IS UP. The hierarchy in Hausa seems to be expressed with reference to the sagittal axis. For example, the world ‘leader’ shugaba is derived from: shiga ‘enter’ and gaba ‘front’. However, both axes (sagittal and vertical) are present in co-speech gestures performed in utterances concerning hierarchical structure. Showing various levels of hierarchy, speakers make the movements forward or upward. Two explanations of this phenomenon will be suggested: the mutual existence of two ways of conceptualizing hierarchy or the change of conceptualization pattern influenced by English. Another way of conceptualizing hierarchy is connected with the action of holding something in one’s hand. The analysis of Hausa gestures shows that the hand grip may refer to force and strength, i.e. something associated with the ruling class, but also to submission and paying respect. The possible explanation of the phenomenon has been grounded in Hausa culture and based on the formal way of greeting an emir.