Title Sociolinguistic Analysis of some Akan proverbs

Jonas Agyemfra, Solomon Owusu Amoh

Abstract


This study examined the sociolinguistic analysis of some Akan proverbs. With this, the analysis predicated on the social contexts that bring about the use of the proverbs and their sociolinguistic implications. The data sourced from the research participants were analysed alongside Dell Hymes’ (1974) “Ethnography of Communication”, which also served as the theoretical framework that underpinned the study. In all, twenty one (p.21) proverbs were analysed which saw the various factors of communication, as postulated by Hymes (1974) coming to bear. Discussing the analysis, it was indicated that the home is the place where proverbs are mostly used. The time for the use of proverbs also saw the evening dominating in the data analysis. With the addressers under participants, men were found to be the people who mostly use proverbs in the Akan society. Anybody, be it a man, woman or child in the Akan society, qualifies to be addressed with proverbs, per the analysis in this study. The end of the use of Akan proverbs is to encourage, rebuke, admonish and warn the addressee. Finally, the key, which also manifests as the tone under which a particular proverb is used saw serious tone as the most frequently used tone in the analysis, as most Akan proverbs are used to direct the paths of its members, whenever they go wayward.


Keywords


Proverb; Context; Sociolinguistics; Akan

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References


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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3968/11876

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