Browsing by Author "Ndume, Leena"

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Fuctions of Oshiwambo proverbs: An analysis of Oshikwanyama and Oshindonga proverbs
    (University of Namibia, 2020) Ndume, Leena
    This study analysed the functions of Oshiwambo proverbs. The study was guided by three objectives namely: to analyse and identify functions of Oshiwambo proverbs; to assess the proverbs and examine their meanings; and to evaluate and classify the selected Oshiwambo proverbs according to their functions. Oshiwambo has a collection of proverbs, but none of the existing studies on Oshiwambo proverbs focuses on functions of proverbs or classified them. Thus, the classification of Oshiwambo proverbs according to their functions still needed to be explored. It was therefore the intention of this study to analyse the functions of Oshiwambo proverbs and classify them. The study adopted a qualitative research design. The Linguistic data in this study was analysed using the cognitive theory of proverb interpretation. The study analysed the Oshiwambo proverbs according to Ghazizadeh and Najafi’s (2010) ten functions namely: educational and moral principles, family blood relationship and relative, patience, warnings, social, comforting in difficulties, God and religious life, motivation and encouragement, appreciation, and conflict. The target population was all Oshiwambo proverbs that were published in the two books “Omishe di dule eyovi” and “Omayeletumbulo gAawambo”. Hence, this study was a desktop research. The study employed a purposive sampling procedure to select 100 proverbs from the above two books as a sample. A total of fifty (50) Oshikwanyama and fifty (50) Oshindonga proverbs and their meanings were selected and analysed. These selected proverbs were analysed and grouped into different categories according to their functions. The researcher found that some proverbs can belong to more than one category. The study found that Oshindonga and Oshikwanyama proverbs have similar functions and meanings. The study further revealed that proverbs show a lot about people’s lives and attitudes towards their surroundings, reflecting various cultural values in given societies.