Proverbs and Idioms: multilingual approach in language teaching, learning and documentation

Abstract

In reality, when two interlocutors cannot understand each other especially in the use of proverbs, the cultural context of which proverbs are a part tends to set limits as to what a native speaker with limited competence in a language faces, especially when the native speaker and a foreigner are engaged in a conversation. This paper reviews the semantic barrier in the Igbo lexicon which hinders the users of some social dialects from access to
“knowledge categories” of the idiomatic and/proverbial expressions in their oral and, perhaps in written language as well. Also, it compares the ability of Igbo learners of French in rendering proverbs and idioms in target language (French) from the source language (Igbo) and the implication on achieving communicative competence in foreign language: especially as it involves communication among an exolingual group. Selected texts written by Igbo speaking undergraduates at the University of Lagos were analyzed based on linear model of communication (Shannon & Weaver) to find out the extent to which such semantic barrier can affect achieving communicative competence. The findings contribute to a better understanding of functional didactics as it affects developing curriculum for French for specific or university purposes.