Welcome to Postproverbial Community

What then is a postproverbial, or to address the form in the plural sense, what are postproverbials? Postproverbials are radicalized proverbial utterances which subvert the logic and the pattern of conventional proverbs...

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SOME RANDOM PROVERBS & THEIR POSTPROVERBIALS

Proverb:  À kúkú ù joyè, ó sàn ju “enu mi ò ká ìlú”.
Translation: Better not to be made a chief, than to say “I am incapable of controlling my people”.

Postproverbial: À kúkú ù joyè, kò sówó lọ́wọ́ baba ni.
Translation: If one is not made a chief, it is out of lack of money and wealth.
Postproverbial: À kúkú ù joyè, a ó ṣá à j’ẹ̀bà.
Translation: If one is not made a chief, at least you will eat and survive.
Nigeria (Yoruba) Read more

Proverb:  Ẹni tí a bá torí ẹ̀ pa adìyẹ, iwe ni ó ń’jẹ.
Translation: The person on whose behalf the hen is sacrificed, eats the gizzard.

Postproverbial: Ẹni tí a bá torí ẹ̀ pa adìyẹ, gbogbo rẹ̀ ni ń’jẹ.
Translation: The person on whose behalf the hen is sacrificed, eats it all.
Postproverbial: Ẹni tí a bá torí ẹ̀ pa adìyẹ , orí ni ó ń’ jẹ.
Translation: The person on whose behalf the hen is sacrificed, eats the head.
Nigeria (Yoruba) Read more

Proverb:  Aban bɛgu a, ɛfiri yam.
Translation: If the state is going to be destroyed, it is from the inside (the stomach).

Postproverbial: Aban bɛgu a, kokoromoti na yɛde tu no.
Translation: A government is changed through the ballot box.
Postproverbial: Aban bɛgu a, efiri ne ndwuma.
Translation: If a government is going to fall, it is from its performance.
Ghana (Akan) Read more

Proverb:  Gya m’wɛ n’tu, se m’yage lam.
Translation: Come down with good fortune rather than beauty.

Postproverbial: Gya m’wɛ n’tu, ko gara mo na gyege nɔɔna.
Translation: Come down with good fortune, it is better than having people.
Postproverbial: Gya m’wɛ n’tu, n’gya wɛ n’lei.
Translation: Come down with good fortune “and tie up time” (so that you can enjoy your good fortune).
Ghana (Kasem) Read more

Proverb:  W’adaka si aburokyire a, deɛ ɛwɔ mu nyinaa wonim.
Translation: If your possessions are abroad, you know what is yours (wherever it may be).

Postproverbial: W’adaka si aburokyire a, wonsa nka da.
Translation: If your possessions are abroad, you’ve lost them.
Postproverbial: W’adaka si aburokyire a, wo nkyere hɔ kɔ.
Translation: If your possessions are abroad, you’ll definitely go there.
Ghana (Akan) Read more

Proverb:  Ibi pẹlẹbẹ ni a ti ń mú ọ̀ọ̀lẹ̀ jẹ.
Translation: It is from the base that one eats a beans pudding.

Postproverbial: Ibi pẹlẹbẹ ni a ti ń mú ọ̀ọ̀lẹ̀ jẹ; wọ́n fi ewé pọ́n ọn ni.
Translation: It is from the base that one eats a beans pudding; if it is wrapped in leaves.
Postproverbial: Ibi góńgó ni a ti ń mú ọ̀ọ̀lẹ̀ jẹ.
Translation: It is from the apex that one eats a beans pudding.
Nigeria (Yoruba) Read more