Ethical Analysis of Selected Igbo-English Proverbs in Adimora-Ezeigbo’s Children Of The Eagle

Abstract

The paper aims to identify and analyse proverbs of Igbo origin, their socio-semantic and ethical values in Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo’s Children of the Eagle. The transference of sociocultural and linguistic resources of other languages into English novels is a known practice among novelists from backgrounds where English plays a second language role. Children of the Eagle is one of such novels that can be identified by the influence of the author’s linguistic background; thus, the study investigates socio-semantic and ethical values embedded in selected proverbs of Igbo origin in the novel. The study used a discursive method, employing J. R. Firth’s Contextual Theory of Meaning to explore the literal, figurative and contextual layers of meaning and Igbo ethical values rooted in each of the selected proverbs. Findings show that the proverbs are all sociocultural and ethically sensitive. The study, therefore, concludes that no proverb of Igbo origin exists without socio-semantic and ethical values geared towards the enculturation of the upcoming generations into the sociocultural and ethical norms; and critical consciousness of the present generation and adults towards the creation and consolidation of a harmonious society. It is consequently recommended that proverbs of ethical values should more often be incorporated into the linguistic usage of Igbo-English novelists and the linguistic performance of Igbo adults for didactic purposes and awareness creation towards a better and united society.