Proverbialism Theory: Owe L’esin Oro, Bi Oro Ba Sonun, Owe La Fi Un Waa—As Search Engine Theory

Abstract

In mapping the territories which communication theories cover, in order to comprehensively study communication phenomena in terms of nature, processes and functions, a wide range of collective wisdom found in the entire body of human communication experience were established. This offers thorough understanding of a wide range of communication processes with scant attention paid to the multi-theoretical orientations of proverbs and proverbial expressions. If communication theories offer abstract explanations of communication phenomena and proverbs provide explanations about complex human social situations and behaviour, then there must be points of convergence between theories and proverbs. It is upon this convergence that the theoretical flag of Proverbialism is hoisted. Proverbialism theory takes its root from a popular proverbial expression (owe) among the Yoruba of South western Nigeria that “Owe lesin oro, bi oro ba sonu owe la fi n wa.” Meaning that proverbs are keys to complex behavioural expressions and situations that are frequently lost during social interactions, or when words defy mutual intelligibility or literally lost its sense-making value, proverbs are invited as the search engines to locate the lost meaning thereby rendering the rather complicated situations or behaviour more understandable for all. Situated on the socio-cultural orientations of the wise, Proverbialism is driven by a good measure of experience, wisdom and common sense. This chapter presents Proverbialism as a normative theory of proverbs and proverbial expressions which offers insights into human social interactions situated on the conventional wisdom of elders for explaining and predicting complex communication behaviour and situations.