SOCIO LINGUISTIC INVESTIGATION OF SOME HAUSA PROVERBS

SOCIO LINGUISTIC INVESTIGATION OF SOME HAUSA PROVERBS

ABSTRACT

This study focuses on the sociolinguistic investigation of some Hausa proverbs. The Hausa term for proverb is Karin Magana, and they are one of the oldest and most important sorts of myth in Hausa culture. These wise sayings are an important part of the lives of those who use them. They have different meanings depending on how speakers and listeners interpret them. The impact of proverbs on the general audience is determined by the context in which they are used. Hausa proverbs uphold traditional norms and accepted patterns of conduct. As a result, proverbs are brimming with life lessons. In Hausa society, proverbs are used to govern various activities without the use of force or harsh language in a variety of scenarios. There are numerous proverbs on courage, sadness, hope, and other emotions. They are also used to warn, counsel, teach, and govern people. Using the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis, this study looked at some of these Hausa proverbs from a sociolinguistic approach. It was concluded that proverbs promote togetherness, peace, understanding, and a strong sense of belonging among the Hausa people.

CHAPITRE ONE

1.1 THE STUDY’S BACKGROUND

People frequently employ distinct kinds of expression that are unique to their communities to express themselves and communicate effectively. These expressions can be both vocal and nonverbal, such as signs and symbols. Songs, riddles, poems, and adages are examples of verbal forms. Whatever forms of expression are used in a society, they all aim to express values, ideas, emotions, and desires that can be used to educate, caution, and enlighten that society. The Hausa people of Northern Nigeria, like most African communities, utilize proverbs known as “Karin Magana” to signify topics of interest. Proverbs have considerable practical importance since they are used to depict social situations, describe feelings, adore, despise, warn, and encourage people.

A proverb is a popular phrase that expresses simple and clear truths based on common sense and personal experience. According to Bascom, “proverbs, the most important type of aphorism in Africa, have a deeper meaning than is stated literally; a meaning that can only be understood through the analysis of the social situations to which they are appropriate” (438). Hausa proverbs (Karin Magana) are claimed to be the oldest and most important type of folklore, with people using them in a variety of circumstances. Hausa proverbs provide solutions to recurring issues; they are also used to resurrect past, develop language, entertain, and educate. The proverbs cover practically every element of people’s lives. “Proverbs in Hausa language manifest the same wide range of topical interest and close attention to the facts of human life as do proverbs from other major social ethnic groups,” writes Akporobaro (89). Furthermore, Hausa proverbs reflect the Hausa people’s religious temperament and heritage. Proverbs in Hausa are used to communicate societal approval and disapproval, as well as to praise, condemn, warn, and counsel. Karin Magana is extremely beneficial to preliterate people, for whom words are more valuable when heard rather than read. The affinity for language for imagery and the communication of abstract ideas through brief and allusive phraseology may be evident in many African communities, particularly in proverbs. Karin Magana can be considered as being extremely valuable to speakers and orators.

The term “proverb” has been defined or characterized by several authors, and each description points to a certain topic. According to the Encyclopedia Britanica, volume 9, “proverbs are succinct and pithy sayings in general use, expressing commonly held ideals and beliefs” (749). They are commonplace and are related to other genres of folk literature such as riddles and tales, which originated in oral tradition.

Proverbs are defined as “short familiar sentences expressing a supposed truth or moral lessons and requiring explanations” (1177) by Chamber’s English Dictionary. It has been discovered that the same kernel of wisdom can be extracted under varied cultural contexts and languages, regardless of where in the world proverbs are found.

Folktales rely heavily on proverbial sayings. They are not limited to a specific group of people in society, but to both persons of high culture and the uncivilized. As a result, a guy cannot be regarded a competent orator unless he uses proverbs frequently in his everyday speech. Proverbs are particularly effective checks on people’s behavior in countries where moral behavior is guided by social norms. Proverbs either chastise defaulters or reward people who adhere to tribal ethics. Proverbs are also used by cultures to chastise young people who make mistakes.

Proverbs have a profound impact on the lives of the individuals who utilize them, and they fall into many categories depending on the setting and occasion. Proverbs can also help to improve the social interactions of members of specific civilizations. However, in this generation, many people, particularly youths, have ignored the use of proverbs and, as a result, the significance and impact they have on them (youths) and society at large. They believe that proverbs are only for the elderly. These attitudes have contributed significantly to the decline of cultural legacy in many societies today. Against this backdrop, we will look at several Hausa proverbs, their significance and impact on the lives of members of the community, and restore some history that is rapidly losing due to the people’s casual attitude.

1.2 A Brief History of the Hausa Language and People

Hausa is a member of the Chadic languages group, which is in turn a member of the Afro-Asian language family. The Hausa people are mostly found in the Niger Republic and in northern Nigeria, but, according to Wikipedia, “the language is widely used as a lingua franca (similar to Swahili in East Africa) in a much larger swathe of West Africa (Accra, Abidjan, Dakar, Lomé, Cotonou, Bamako, Conakry, Ouagadougou, etc.) and Central Africa (Douala, Yaoundé, Maroua, Garoua, N’djaména, Bangui, Libreville, etc.), particularly amongst Muslims. Radio stations broadcast in Hausa, including the BBC, Radio France Internationale, China Radio International, Voice of Russia, Voice of America, Deutsche Welle, and IRIB. It is taught in African and international universities.” Different Hausa dialects are spoken in different Hausa regions. Kananci, which is spoken in Kano, Bausanchiin Bauchi, Dauranchiin Daura, Gudduranciin Katagum, Misau, and parts of Borno, and Hadejanciin Hadejiya are among the eastern Hausa dialects. Sakkwatanci in Sokoto, Katsinanci in Katsina, Arewanci in both Gobir and Adar, Kebbi, Zamfara, and Kurhwayanci in Kurfey, Niger Republic are all Western Hausa dialects. Katsina is a dialect that is intermediate between Eastern and Western dialects. Northern Hausa dialects include Arewa and Arawa, while the dominant Southern dialect is Zazzaganciin Zaria. The Kano dialect is the’standard’ Hausa variant. On their international news websites, the BBC, Deutsche Welle, and Voice of America provide Hausa services using Kananci as the standard. The contemporary official orthography of Hausa is a Latin-based alphabet known as boko, which was adopted by the British colonial administration in the 1930s. Since the early 17th century, Hausa has also been written in ajami, an Arabic script variant. There is no standard ajami system, and various writers may employ letters with varying values.