THE DEATH OF PROVERBS? FATE OF TRADITIONAL WISDOM IN THE FACE OF MODERN LANGUAGE TRENDS

Abstract

Proverbs, often described as the mirror of culture and the vessels of ancestral wisdom, have played 
an essential role in shaping moral, ethical, and philosophical thought across generations in African 
societies. However, in the 21st century, the global dominance of modern language trends—such 
as slang, internet abbreviations, emojis, memes, and the use of artificial intelligence-driven 
communication—has marginalized traditional expressions like proverbs. This study investigates 
the fate of proverbs in contemporary Nigerian society, particularly focusing on how modern 
language trends contribute to their decline. It anchors on the concepts of cultural lag, language 
shift and ethnolinguistic vitality theory. Using a qualitative research approach, interviews and 
focus group discussions were conducted with elders, teachers, and students across three 
southeastern Nigerian communities. The findings reveal that digital communication, western 
education, urbanization, and linguistic globalization have led to a steady decline in the usage and 
comprehension of proverbs among youths. The study recommends that educational institutions, 
media organizations, and cultural bodies take deliberate steps to integrate proverbs into modern 
communication platforms, ensuring the survival of traditional wisdom amid linguistic evolution.