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- Language Family: Kwa
- Topic #1: Proverbs
Understanding Chumburung Proverbs
Various characteristics of proverbs as given in definitions will be examined as to
whether or not they apply to the Chumburung language of Ghana. Proverbial competence,
namely knowing about proverbs in general, will be distinguished from cultural knowledge,
which is understanding some aspect of the culture. The two words for proverb in Chumburung
will be distinguished, and shown to be literal and metaphoric. Differing contexts for using
proverbs mean that a person will also need what I call situational competence. Examples from
living and recently deceased people will be given to challenge the assumption that proverbs of
minority groups are, like their culture, dying out.
Nous examinons ici divers traits mentionnés dans les définitions des proverbes, pour voir
à quel point ils s’appliquent à ceux de la langue chumburung du Ghana. Nous distinguons la
compétence proverbiale, la connaissance des proverbes en général, de la connaissance culturelle, la compréhension de tel ou tel aspect de la culture. Nous verrons que des deux termes chumburung désignant les proverbes, l’un indique ceux qui ont un sens littéral, l’autre métaphorique. La variété des contextes où s’utilisent les proverbes laisse comprendre qu’un locuteur doit avoir ce que j’appelle une compétence situationnelle. Des exemples provenant de personnes soit vivantes, soit récemment décédées, présentent un défi à la supposition que les proverbes des ethnies minoritaires, comme leur culture, sont en voie d’extinction.