A PRAGMATIC STYLISTICS ANALYSIS OF THE USE OF PROVERBS IN THE FORBIDDEN DANCE AND OTHER PLAYS

ABSTRACT

This research paper has provided a pragmatic stylistics analysis of the use of proverbs in Clement Odia's The Forbidden Dance and Other Plays. It was carried out with a view to finding out how the playwright made use of proverbs in the plays and the ways in which they serve to convey meaning in the context they are used. The purpose of this study was to explore how meaning is generated from the use of proverbs and beyond their literal interpretation in conversations. This study investigated the specific context in which proverbs were utilised by the playwright and the ways in which they served to convey meaning in that context. This study has also explored the significance of proverbs in Benin culture. In the same vein, this paper adopted the qualitative research method which allows the researcher to collect relevant data by consulting textbooks, journals, etc. Relevant textbooks on proverbs were utilised to carry out this research such as "Introduction to African Oral Literature" by F.B.O Akporobaro and a few others. The body of data for this research consisted of only proverbs found in the chosen text. The primary data source for this research is The Forbidden Dance and Other Plays. A purposive sampling technique was employed to select this text due to its significance in the Benin culture. A total of forty-five proverbs were selected purposely and were analysed based on the chosen theoretical framework (Relevance Theory and Metaphor) which gives the reader the freedom to access and interpret different implicatures from his encyclopaedia knowledge without imposing a restrictive interpretation grid. This suggests that individuals have the freedom to interpret metaphors in a way that makes sense to them rather than being constrained by a particular interpretation framework. The second chapter contained the analysis of fifteen (15) proverbs from the plays using the relevance theory and metaphor framework. The third chapter contained the analysis of fifteen (15) proverbs while the fourth chapter contained the analysis of fifteen (15) proverbs. The analyses showed that the playwright utilized proverbs such as proverbs of cultural wisdom, motivational proverbs, and prescriptive proverbs in his plays to portray and reflect the values of Benin culture. He used these proverbs to convey important life lessons and cultural values. His plays depicted the strategic use of proverbs and how these proverbs uncovered the cultural significance of Benin customs and traditions and their cultural value for resilience. This research recommended and encouraged the creation of publications and resources that compile and explain proverbs from the Benin culture. This could include books, websites or educational materials that make proverbs accessible to a wider audience. It also recommended the creation of digital archives dedicated to cataloguing and studying proverbs. This platform can serve as a valuable resource for researchers, educators and the general public.