Proverbs in communication

• Autores: Jonathan Charteris-Black
• Localización: Journal of multilingual and multicultural development, ISSN 0143-4632, Vol. 16, Nº. 4, 1995, págs. 259-268
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • This article aims to demonstrate the value of proverbs in developing the cross‐linguistic understanding of groups of professionals, such as language teachers, and others involved in inter‐cultural situations. While proverbs have been used by a number of disciplines for other purposes, the focus here is on the proverb as a source of data on three key aspects of communication that are relevant to applied linguists: figurative language, politeness behaviour and topic control. The use of proverbs as a source of figurative language and metaphor is illustrated with reference to English, Malay and Arabic data and it is proposed that this can provide insight into the symbol systems of these cultures. Proverbs are analysed with reference to Speech Act theory as vehicles for conveying meaning in such a way as to avoid face‐threatening behaviour. Finally, the role of proverbs in conversation management is explored with reference to a range of English proverbs whose function is primarily to organise turn‐taking behaviour—in particular topic closure—in spoken discourse. The diversity of these features of communication makes proverbs an important, and much ignored, source of data for those involved with language teaching and inter‐cultural communication.