PRAGMATIC STUDY OF YORUBA PROVERBS

ABSTRACT

This study sets out to examine the pragmatic study of Yoruba proverbs which focus on examining the practical implications and communicative functions of these proverbial expressions within the Yoruba culture. This study analyzed over 54 Yoruba proverbs and discovered that proverbs entail cultural knowledge, preserves wisdom and values that are backed up with ethical principles and morals with proper guidance offering and decision-making. Proverbs also help in fostering a sense of belonging and unity among the Yoruba people, encourages critical thinking and problem-solving skills. This interdisciplinary approach combines linguistic analysis (pragmatic analysis) with cultural and social perspectives to understand how proverbs are used to convey wisdom, values and social norms. By studying the pragmatic aspect of Yoruba proverbs with the aim of uncovering the underlying meanings, rhetorical strategies and social dynamics embedded in the traditional forms of expression by the Yoruba people, the study adopted John L. Austine’s Speech of Act Theory (1959) which is a model of Performative Linguistics. The method used in carrying out this analysis is qualitative method, which involves numerical data collection and analysis to understand patterns, frequencies and correlations within the proverbial expressions. It quantifies the frequency used in specific proverbs in different contexts to analyse the distribution of proverbial themes or examine the usage patterns across different demographic groups. This qualitative approach provides insight into the pragmatic functions and sociolinguistic aspects of Yoruba proverbs. They play a huge role in the preservation of Yoruba cultural identity, reinforcing a sense of pride and connection to their heritage. Overall, Yoruba proverbs are an integral part of the Yoruba oral tradition helping to maintain and transmit cultural knowledge through story-telling and verbal expressions.