Postproverbial | Twisted and hybrid speech acts

SOME RANDOM PROVERBS & THEIR POSTPROVERBIALS

Proverb: Kwɛɛra kandɛ, mo kaare yuu.
Translation: It is the stone thrown in jest that causes injury to the head.

Postproverbial: Kwɛɛra kandɛ, mage daane mo.
Translation: It is (the) stones thrown in jest that hit (against) each other.

Postproverbial: Kwɛɛra kandɛ, ko lɔi kambi mo.
Translation: It is the stone thrown in jest that breaks the (earthenware) pots.

Ghana (Kasem) Read more

Proverb: Gàǹbàrí pa Fúlàní, kò lẹ́jọ́ nínú.
Translation: If the Hausaman kills the Fulani, it is not actionable.

Postproverbial: Gàǹbàrí pa Fúlàní, kí Ibadan ṣá mà ti bàjẹ́.
Translation: Let the Hausaman kill the Fulani, as long as Ibadan is not in turmoil.

Postproverbial: Gàǹbàrí pa Fúlàní, á sun àtìmọ́lé.
Translation: If the Hausaman kills the Fulani, he will be imprisoned.

Nigeria (Yoruba) Read more

Proverb: Ọmọ tó ní ìyá òun kò ní sùn, òun náà kò ní fi ojú kan oorun.
Translation: A child who will not allow his mother to rest will himself stay awake.

Postproverbial: Ọmọ tó ní ìyá òun kò ní sùn, orun ni kò kùn ún.
Translation: A child who will not allow his mother to rest must be insomniac.

Postproverbial: Ọmọ tó ní ìyá òun kò ní sùn, à á fún un ní “Valium”.
Translation: A child who will not allow his mother to rest should be administered with valium.

Nigeria (Yoruba) Read more

Proverb: Àìtètè m’ólè, olè ń m’ólóko.
Translation: In the hesitation to catch the thief, the thief arrests the farmer.

Postproverbial: Àìtètè m’ólè, olè gbọ́n sí i.
Translation: In the hesitation to catch the thief, the thief proves wiser.

Postproverbial: Àìtètè m’ólè, olè ń sálọ.
Translation: In the hesitation to catch the thief, the thief scampers away.

Nigeria (Yoruba) 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: ɔpanin fɛre ne ba, na ɔnsuro no.
Translation: An elder respects his child but does not fear the child.

Postproverbial: ɔpanin fɛre ne ba, na ɔdɔ no.
Translation: An elder respects his child then s/he loves the child.

Postproverbial: ɔpanin fɛre ne ba, asɛm to no.
Translation: An elder respects his child, s/he courts trouble.

Ghana (Akan) Read more

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SOME RANDOM PROVERBS & THEIR POSTPROVERBIALS