An exploration of the significance of imagery in the use of proverbs: a study of selected proverbs of the Lango

Abstract

This study is to investigate the different forms of imagery in Lango proverbs. The main focus is on how imagery contributes to the development of meaning in the Lango proverbs. Some of the different forms of imagery studied in the thesis include; visual, tactile and olfactory images. This study focused on observation and documentary analysis to arrive to conclusion. The findings of the study was to prove the significance of imagery in the development of meaning in the Lango proverbs. It is good to note that the Lango proverb is built on many devices like metaphor, symbolism, among others, but the study of this thesis concludes that perhaps it would be better to call all these images, because all proverbs seemed to elicit different forms of imagery and thus enabling the audience to draw conclusions through mentally connecting a picturesque that enables them understand different meanings of different proverbs. The study concludes that the images elicited in the proverbs play a didactic role in the development of meaning in the proverbs and thus enhancing people’s knowledge of their society and hence harmony.