Proverbs As Tapestry: Pragmatic Analysis of Conflict-Motivated Proverbs in Stephen O. Solanke’s Alaafin Aole Arogangan

Abstract

This paper examines the pragmatics of conflict-motivated proverbs in Stephen O. Solanke’s play, Alaafin Aole Arogangan. Solanke’s play revolves around the conflict between the Alaafin, Afonja and the Oyomesi (the kingmakers) in the old Oyo Empire. The paper is motivated by the ingenious deployment of proverbs to facilitate effective communication and interaction in the play. This study examines how characters employ proverbs to negotiate power dynamics to justify their actions and manipulate others. The study draws on existing research on pragmatics, proverbs and conflict resolution, highlighting the significance of cultural context and language in shaping social relationships. Through qualitative analysis of the selected proverbs used in the play, and grounded in Mey’s pragmatic acts theory, which posits that language is used to achieve specific goals and create social effects. The study reveals that proverbs are used in the selected plays for different pragmatic purposes, including supporting, warning/cautioning, questioning/querying, reassuring, defending, and accusing, which exploit contextual features such as relevance, reference, metaphor, inference, shared situation knowledge, shared cultural knowledge, and voice. The study reveals that proverbs are used as a form of pragmatic act to achieve specific goals, such as justifying actions, manipulating others, and negotiating power dynamics. The findings also highlight the importance of considering cultural context and background in understanding the meaning and function of proverbs. The paper submits that the context of culture and situation helps to inform the true meaning of proverbs when used in interactions