Proverbs: window on the Xhosa world?

Abstract

In this article I attempt to answer the following question: do folklore forms in general and proverbs in particular reflect the particular philosophy or world view of a people? Following the views of Lotman and the Soviet Semiotic School, it is recognized that all art forms acknowledge life and hence use particular means to portray life or reality. In literature the text-external elements together with the text constitute the literary work of art. The reflection or representation idea has generally found acceptance amongst folklorists although reservations have also been expressed. Regarding proverbs in particular, it appears as if this genre is well suited to reflect the philosophy of a people although a full picture could never emerge. The case is further argued that many, even possibly most proverbs in their decoded or metaphorical translated forms, reflect a world view which is not culture specific.