A Sociolinguistic and Literary Analysis of the Proverb in Likpakpaln ‘Konkomba’

Abstract

This paper is a descriptive study on lilantaŋal/liyaataŋal ‘the proverb’ in Likpakpaln. The methods employed included both participant and non-participant observations and the semi-structured interview. Also, a secondary material (a list of some proverbs in Likpakpaln) published by the Ghana Institute of Linguistics, Literacy and Bible Translation (GILLBT) in 1985 was consulted. The data ascertained through these procedures were filtered through informal conversations and by native speaker introspection. The paper discusses the conceptual meaning, functions, contexts of use and the artistry of the Likpakpaln ‘Konkomba’ proverb. In addition, a brief morpho-semantic analysis of the term, lilantaŋal is done in order to enhance the understanding of the concept. Firstly, the study establishes that the proverb as an oramedia tool in Likpakpaln permeates as many discourse platforms as exist among the Bikpakpaam (Konkomba people). Also, the paper observes that the use of proverbs as well as their interpretations among Bikpakpaam is highly context-dependent. This is so because the proverb a speaker chooses and the interpretation that a hearer assigns to the proverb both hinge on contextual variables such as the subject matter, the place and the time of communication. Closely linked to the foregoing idea is also the discovery that one’s capacity to appropriately interpret proverbs is tied to one’s level of maturity in the culture of the people. Furthermore, the study holds that the most widely attested function of proverbs among Bikpakpaam is the conveyance of pieces of advice to members of the community. This is, nonetheless, not to contradict the fact that the functions of proverbs still remain numerous among the people. For instance, Bikpakpaam also use proverbs in traditional adjudication, libua bul ‘divination’ and in clinching arguments generally. Finally, the paper demonstrates that the proverbial lore in Likpakpaln is rich in artistry, citing metaphor, anthropomorphism and paradox, inter alia, as some of the dominant literary motifs of the genre.