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Sociolinguistic Investigation Of Some Hausa Proverbs
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CHAPTER ONE
1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
People commonly use
different forms of expressions which are peculiar to their societies to
express their views and for effective communication. These expressions
can be verbal and non-verbal, including signs and symbols among others.
The verbal forms and include forms such as songs, riddles, poems and
adages. Whatever forms of expressions used in any society, they aim at
expressing values, ideas, emotions, and desires, which are used to
educate, caution and enlighten such society. Just like most African
societies, the Hausa people of Northern Nigeria make use of proverbs
known as “Karin Magana†to indicate subjects of interest. Proverbs are
of great practical values and are used to portray social conditions,
express feelings, admire, detest, warn and encourage people.
A
proverb is a saying popularly used to express simple and concrete truth
based on common sense and the experience of people. According to Bascom,
“Proverbs which are the most important type of aphorism in Africa have a
deeper meaning than is stated literally; a meaning which can be
understood only through the analysis of the social situations to which
they are appropriate†(438). Hausa proverbs (Karin Magana) are said to
be the oldest and the most important genre of folklore which are used by
the people in many contexts. Hausa proverbs give answers to recurrent
problems; they are also used to revive history, develop language,
entertain and educate. The proverbs touch on almost every aspect of the
people’s life. Akporobaro rightly observes that “Proverbs in Hausa
language manifest the same wide range of topical interest and close
attentiveness to the facts of human life, as do the proverbs from other
major social ethnic groups†(89). In addition, Hausa proverbs reflect
the religious temper and heritage of the Hausa people. Hausa proverbs
are used to express social approval and disapproval, praise, criticize,
warn and advise. Karin Magana is very valuable to preliterate people,
for whom words cannot be read, they are more valued when heard. In many
African societies, the instinct for language for imagery and for the
expression of abstract ideas through concise and allusive phraseology
can be seen particularly in proverbs. Karin Magana can be seen to have
an immense value to speakers and orators.
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ABSRACT - [ Total Page(s): 1 ]This research work is on Sociolinguistic Investigation of Some Hausa Proverbs. The Hausa term for proverb is Karin Magana and they are one of the oldest and most important types of myth, which form part and parcel of the Hausa culture. These wise sayings form a very crucial phase of the ways of life of the people who use them. They vary in meaning, depending on the way the speakers and listeners understand them. The consequence of proverbs on the general public depends on the context in which th ... Continue reading---
