A Study of Language Rhetoric of Yi Epic Mei-ge

Abstract

"Mei-ge" is an oral literary work of the Yi ethnic group that has been passed down in the Chuxiong prefecture of Yunnan province. It is one of the four great creation epics of the Yi people. The epic is divided into four parts: creation, creation of things, marriage and love songs, and funeral rites. It narrates events such as the Yi people creating the heavens and earth, building houses, raising livestock, cultivating crops, forming marital bonds, passing on descendants, and conducting memorial ceremonies for elders who have passed away. It reveals the transition of human society from a primitive state to an advanced society, and the transformation from backwardness to civilization. This study selects "Mei-ge" as the research subject, applying rhetorical knowledge to analyze sentences or paragraphs in the text, identifying relevant rhetorical devices, and analyzing how these rhetorical devices contribute to understanding the text. Through the research, it is found that "Mei-ge" text extensively uses metaphor, exaggeration, repetition, questioning, and other rhetorical devices. The use of figurative rhetorical techniques not only enhances the readability of the text and strengthens the emotional impact of the work, immersing readers in a vivid narrative scene but also deepens the understanding of Yi culture. From the perspective of rhetoric, analyzing the text provides a new perspective for interpreting "Mei-ge," broadening the research dimensions and facilitating the inheritance and promotion of minority literary works.