A Context-Structure Analysis (CSA) of Yoruba Proverbs in Discourse

"A Context-Structure Analysis" is a pragmatic model employed in this work to analyze Yoruba Proverbs in their contexts of use, to show the kinds of constraints that both linguistic and situational contexts can exert on the pragmatic meanings and functions of proverbs. The model shows that a variation in either the linguistic or situational contexts, or both, can trigger a corresponding variation in the pragmatic meaning and functions of proverbs, just as it is with lexical items. This makes it possible for proverbs to be used to express different pragmatic meanings and functions, as may be determined by exigencies of discourse.The study explains the range of pragmatic functions that proverbs in Yoruba can be used to perform, as well as their efficacy in functioning as a face saving device. It also shows that proverbs and culture are closely related, thus implying that an understanding of both may serve in the understanding of the people themselves and help to promote inter-ethnic understanding and peaceful human co-existence.