Beyond Literal Meaning:

A Pragmatic Analysis of Balti Proverbs

Abstract

Abstract

This paper addresses pragmatic roles of proverbs in Balti language. It particularly addresses the aspect regarding the influence of contexts in which the proverbs are expressed in the text to determine their meanings. The study uses content analysis method in which the chosen proverbs are examined in details as well as critically interpreted. There are certain proverbs which are taken, and are analyzed according to the context to which they are used in the story.

The results show that the proverbs have many uses such as issues warnings, praise, and insults, encourage, abuse, advice, and correct wrong behavior, among others. The research study also concludes that interpretation of proverbs is most effective when they actually interpret in a particular context in which they are applied. Besides, it reiterated that cultural as well as situational contexts are important in explaining the deeper meanings of the Balti proverbs when used in communication.

The study also highlights the significance of instrumental knowledge to the efforts of linguists specifically those affiliated to the study of pragmatics to appreciate and capture a real meaning of proverbs across different cultures. This revelation indicates that, to effectively understand the meaning of proverbs, one needs to learn to interpret them in the context, and this can be used to decipher their hidden meanings.