YORÙBÁ INTERROGATIVE PROVERBS

Abstract

This study examines the forms and functions of Yorùbá interrogative proverbs. It posits that almost all interrogative proverbs in Yorùbá contain question words which appear in the sentence initial or sentence final. The study shows that Yorùbá interrogative proverbs have two basic forms: proverbs with declarative discourse preceding the interrogative sentence and proverbs that are direct question(s). The paper shows that to fully understand the functions of Yorùbá interrogative proverbs; there is need to take cognizance of the semantic and contextual features of the proverbs. On the basis of this, the study shows that interrogative proverbs in Yorùbá are not used to seek information, rather, they are used rhetorically to express an assertion, doubt, affirmation, creation of comic effect and to provoke people to think about what the obvious answer to the question(s) in the proverbs must be.