Abstract
This paper discusses cultural sayings, known as proverbs, as a body of special speeches in which meanings are encrypted in figurative codes and deep structures by way of analogy and elevated comparisons. Within this corpus are proverbs, anecdotes, idioms, and epigrammatic sayings which constitute the wisdom of the elders of the communities, having been distilled from over the ages. The data investigated for this paper comprise 20 aspects of the meaning of Nigerian proverbs from two major cultural blocks namely, Yoruba and Mbube. The selected proverbs and their meanings were obtained from community leaders, traditional rulers, senior citizens, clan heads and other leaders of opinions in both communities while some others were gathered from the public domain. We posit that proverbs are capsules of knowledge that have both surface and deep meaning structures. This linguistic arsenal of verbal fireworks constitutes a safeguard for elders and community leaders in the way they deploy important messages, judgments, and counsel. This present study establishes a common link between the two cultural environments by the social values upheld in both communities, as demonstrated in their proverbs under study. We attempt to demonstrate the importance of this culturallinguistic tool by using the theoretical framework of the Hallidayan interpersonal function in addition to Eugene Nida’s theory of equivalency in translating the proverbs into English. Findings from the results reveal that proverbs do serve as regulators of behaviours and moral templates upon which socio-cultural values are built both among the Yoruba and Mbube people of Nigeria. Proverbs contribute immensely to character reformation, value re-orientation and social redemption in the ideal African society. The use of a proverb or a cultural maxim portrays its user as a wise person. Simultaneously, hearkening to the messages contained in them is capable of making one wise as they serve as informal processes of teaching the lore, norms and nuances of any culture.
Keywords: Wisdom, Proverbs, Sociolinguistics, Yoruba, Mbube
