A pragmatic and sociolinguistic analysis of proverbs across languages and cultures

Abstract

This introduction to the special issue on proverbs across cultures presents a theoretical backdrop to the field of studying proverbs in general and within pragmatics in particular. It is an interdisciplinary and cross-cultural scrutiny which discusses pragmatic and sociolinguistic research on the role of proverbs in the (de)construction of gender ideologies, the transmission of cultural values, and their conceptual meaning, functions and contexts of use. It examines issues of language, society, and identity such as gender representation, politeness and language contact and discusses some of the central problems relevant to pragmatic research on proverbs. The authors highlight, among other things, how proverbs reveal instances of cultural sharing in some contexts while at the same time, reflecting the diversity in world views.