This Dissertation titled „A Socio-pragmatic study of Ohafia Proverbs‟
was embarked upon by the researcher with the aim of drawing the
attention of the Ohafia dialect speakers, proverb users, linguists, and
the world to the dynamics, as well as the peculiarities associated with
the use of Ohafia proverbs. This is done by pointing out the necessity
of interpreting Ohafia proverbs within the confines of the cultural
contexts in which they are used. This research answered questions on the
relationship between the proverbs and the worldview of the people, the
reason for the preference of the use of proverbs, instead of literal
sentences in conversational situations, the role of context of culture
and situation in the understanding and interpretation of Ohafia
proverbs, and the place of social demography in the use of proverbs. In
the course of reviewing related literature, it was observed by the
researcher that although a number of works have been done on proverbs,
and more specifically, on Igbo proverbs, little or nothing had been done
on Ohafia proverbs, especially when placed side by side with the Ohafia
society. The researcher, therefore, studied Ohafia proverbs, using
Leech‟s Socio-pragmatic theory and Sapir-Whorf‟s linguistic relativity
hypothesis as models, side by side with a look into the elements of
background cultural knowledge, and the possible contexts of culture and
situation contained in the proverbs. For easy assessment and analysis,
these proverbs were arranged in a tabular form and categorized into two:
opaque and transparent. After the tabular analysis, a general
discussion followed, where the researcher evaluated the authenticity of
the linguistic relativism hypothesis by finding possible relationships
between the world view of the Ohafia people and their proverbs, and use
of proverbs. In this process, the place of the Ohafia cultures,
climate/weather, food, ways of dressing, social hierarchy, age, gender,
relationships and beliefs, in the understanding and use of Ohafia
proverbs were ascertained. It was, therefore found that among other
things, the proverbs of Ohafia people cannot be used without background
knowledge of their worldview. Also, the predominant preoccupations of
Ohafia people (warring or serving as mercenaries, and hunting/farming)
are very much reflected in their proverbs. By getting educated on Ohafia
proverbs and their peculiarities, a person becomes familiar with the
philosophies, traditions, culture and overall worldview of the Ohafia
people.