DefinePK

Abstract

Proverbs, like other linguistic devices, are the mirrors which reflect the behavior of speakers, their views, social roles, and beliefs. This research was undertaken with an assumption that animal-related proverbs may provide a glimpse of the cultural connotations attached to different animals. In the study, 730 animal-related proverbs were collected from a dictionary of Punjabi proverbs named Saadey Akhaan (Our Proverbs) (2004, Malik) through purposive quota sampling. The selected proverbs were arranged on the basis of the animals mentioned and the connotations attached with them. Conceptual Metaphor Theory (CMT) (Lakoff and Johnson, 1980) was used as the theoretical framework to elicit traits, characteristics, status, and values associated with different animals. The theory explains that most of our thoughts which are conceptual in their nature are metaphorical.  In a metaphorical proverb, the literal meaning may denote some characteristic or act of an animal, but it is used to point at some human characteristic, action or situation.  The data was analyzed using both qualitative and quantitative research methods. The thematic content analysis of animal-related proverbs revealed that the animal metaphors had been used to denote face-threatening human attributes and actions more than the face-saving ones. Male gender of animals was given a higher representation as compared to their female counterparts. Most of the negative connotations were attached to dog, donkey, cat, monkey, elephant, and bull. It is concluded that animal metaphors have been generously employed in Punjabi proverbs to comment, rebuke, warn, advice and counsel the listeners in a culturally and traditionally accepted, to the point, brief and targeted manner.