A Sociopragmatic Study of Igbo Proverbs: A Paradigm of Akokwa Paremiology

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to examine the contents and forms of the proverbs of AkokwaIgbo people and the social norms surrounding their usage. A descriptive research design was used in this investigation. 50 proverbs were analyzed using the sociopragmatic theory launched by Leech in 1983. The theory elucidates the phenomenon of language in culture. 
Findings show that proverbs are one of the culture-bound aspects of a language and can only be demystified by the knowledge of the cultural, traditional and social norms of the particular linguistic community that uses them. They have also been found to be effective 
elucidators of intricate matters relating to all areas of human life- medical, marriage, justice administration, peaceful coexistence, child-bearing, philosophies of life, religion, etc, provided the participants in the verbal interaction are knowledgeable in the content of the subject of discourse and also in the semantic intricacies of the proverbs deployed. Akokwa people use proverbs extensively for communication and they affect their lives, orient them morally towards more beneficial and positive socio-cultural goals.