What are proverbs? why the need for proverbs? where and why are proverbs quotes and sayings are used?

People around the world have a way of communicating and transporting information. Language is a very powerful weapon.

We use language to communicate, and mostly to communicate our needs. South Africa for example has eleven official languages, and each language has its own culture.

For example this are one of South Africa's languages

Isizulu

N.Sotho

Tswana

IsiXhosa

Siswati

Ndebele

Tshonga

Venda

English

Afrikaans

Proverbs are wise and wisdom words said in a hidden way. These words were said by the old and wise people from different culture, in most cases they were giving advice and warnings about everyday life.

The Oxford English Dictionary explains a proverb as: a pithy saying in general use"

AND the Longman Dictionary explains a proverb as: a short well known phrase or sentence, which contains advice about life.

The origin of proverbs

Proverbs come from different cultures and tribes. Telling the experiences, people's life,

Proverbs originate from:

  • Every day's  life up and downs

  • Comforting each other

  • Warning the youth

  • Helping each other

  • A person's wealth

  • A particular way of doing things

In the speech form of any proverb listing, it talks and include anything about anything that lives or is dead. Animals, insects, rivers, mountain, sun, food, people.

Proverbs are presented in different languages according to cultures. And because in South Africa we have eleven official languages, we also have proverbs presented in eleven languages. In vernacular school lessons every child has the opportunity to taught his or her own language proverbs. So in this part there are no excuses of not knowing what are proverbs and what they mean. Proverbs can be translated to any official language, but that will be stealing the experience and wisdom of other cultures, I believe that is the reason why each culture hosts its own proverbs. And in zulu izaga.

It is better to be an ordinary person working for a living, than to play the part of someone great but go hungry... Proverbs