POSTPROVERBIAL CONSTRUCTIONS AND SELECTED SEX-RELATED YORUBA PROVERBS AND PROVERBIAL EXPRESSIONS
POSTPROVERBIAL CONSTRUCTIONS AND SELECTED SEX-RELATED YORUBA PROVERBS AND PROVERBIAL EXPRESSIONS

Summary/Abstract: This paper examines postproverbial constructions involving sex-related Yoruba proverbs and proverbial expressions, and their effects on the original meaning of these proverbs. Fifteen randomly selected sex-related proverbs and proverbial expressions as well as their postproverbial constructions were subjected to critical analysis. The study revealed that while sex-related Yoruba proverbs are essentially meant for communicating frank, stark and direct situations, postproverbial constructions of the proverbs have distorted the use of sex-related proverbs, and especially proverbial expression in communication, because of the sexual images that were made more visible in the sex-related postproverbials. The study observes that, other than for visual symbolism, the mentioning of sex organs in sex-related proverbs has no implications on original meaning of proverbs but this is not the case with postproverbials as the sex image and sexual performance becomes the main focus. The paper, therefore, urges Yoruba language speakers to be conscious of the influence of these postproverbials on the use of the sex-related Yoruba proverbs and their distorted meanings which are quite different from the original, intended philosophical, meanings.

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