How proverbs derive their meaning—standard proverbial interpretation (SPI) vs the literal reading of a proverb

Abstract

The relationship proverbs have with the culture in which they are found is noteworthy. The concern with language and culture especially relating to language and change, finds some of its best-known modern expressions in the writings of Lass (1980), Labov (1986), Toelken (1979), and Milroy (1992). Both Toelken and Milroy insist on the judgement and decision by the community to initiate change. Their reasoning is that there is a ‘social kind’ of judgement which the community takes into account in describing the structure of a language variety. The decision is related to the social norms of the people. This position leads to the way proverbs attain their meanings for it is the speakers who decide or do not decide to interpret a proverb differently from its standard interpretation.