METONYMY and PROVERB ~ Minangkabau Boy

METONYMY

· What is a Metonymy?

Although literally a pen has no power over a sword, we understand this phrase means that the written word, persuasion, and the sharing of ideas are more powerful than fighting, physical force, and war. This phrase uses metonymy (pronounced mi-ton–uh-mee), which is the replacement of words with related or associated words. In the example, we replaced “written words” with “the pen.”

The word metonymy is derived from the Greek phrase metōnymía meaning “a change of name.”

· Examples of Metonymy

Example 1

Hollywood has been releasing a surprising amount of sci-fi movies lately.

Hollywood is literally a district in Los Angeles, but because it has come to be linked to the entertainment business, celebrities, and movie-making, it is a common example of metonymy. Instead of listing various directors and films released in various areas, “Hollywood,” an associated word, will suffice.

Example 2

The kitchen is coming along nicely

This example means that the renovation work on the kitchen is moving quickly and efficiently. Because the kitchen is the room being worked on, we can simplify the sentence using only “the kitchen” as a metonymic phrase.

· Examples of Metonymy in Pop Culture

Example 1

First, listen to John Legend’s “All of Me”:

What would I do without your smart mouth?

Drawing me in, and you kicking me out

‘Cause all of me

Loves all of you

This song uses metonymy when the speaker wonders what he would do without “your smart mouth,” speaking to a woman through one of her defining features. In the chorus, instead of saying “I love you,” the speaker says “All of me loves all of you” to emphasize how strong and all-encompassing their love is.

· The Importance of Metonymy

Because associative and referential thinking are so natural and automatic to us, metonymies can be found and understood frequently in everyday language, literature, and pop culture. Metonymies allow for brevity by replacing lists with an associated category. They summarize complicated processes or programs with shortened phrases.

· In Closing

Because associative thinking is so important in creative work, literary devices like metonymy are standard and commonly found. In literature and conversation alike, we express ideas thoughtfully and creatively by replacing them with associated or attributed phrases.

PROVERB

· Definition of Proverb

Proverb is a brief, simple and popular saying, or a phrase that gives advice and effectively embodies a commonplace truth based on practical experience or common sense. A proverb may have an allegorical message behind its odd appearance. The reason of popularity is due to its usage in spoken language as well as in the folk literature. Some authors twist and bend proverbs and create anti-proverbs to add literary effects to their works.

· Role of Proverbs in Society

Proverbs play many roles in society. The first, possibly, most common role that a proverb plays is to educate. Most often tossed around as expert advice in conversation, the innate role to educate people on what might happen if they do something.

Think of a proverb as a little tidbit of wisdom that just about everyone – no matter where they are from – can offer. There is a proverb for just about every circumstance, and proverbs can be applied to any situation.

English and American proverbs are almost second nature when delivered. The origins are quite often little known, yet the expressions are popular. Ethnic proverbs, on the other hand, may be a little deeper to digest, and require non-natives of the proverb’s country of origin, to think about the meaning in order to better understand how it applies to their lives.

· Function of Proverb

Proverbs play very important roles in different types of literary works. The most important function of proverbs is to teach and educate the audience. They often contain an expert advice with a role for educating the readers on what they may face if they would do something. Hence, proverbs play a didactic role, as they play a universal role in teaching wisdom and sagacity to the common people. Since proverbs are usually metaphorical and indirect; therefore, they allow writers to express their message in a less harsh way.

· Proverbs Throughout the World

African Proverbs

Across the vast continent of Africa, many African nations disseminated proverbs that were meant to educate and inspire those who used them.

Here are a few examples of African proverbs.

“A tree is known by its fruit” – (of Zulu origin - this means that success is shown by the deeds.)
“I have been bitten by a tsetse fly” – (of Tanzanian origin – this means that a person will continuously be a pest until you pay off a debt.)

Asian Proverbs

Some examples of Asian proverbs include the following:

“The old horse in the stable still yearns to run” – (this means that those who are older still have things they would like to accomplish.)
“A spark can start a fire that burns the entire prairie” – (this means that a small problem can snowball into a huge problem that can cause major damage.)

American Proverbs

Some examples of American based proverbs include:

"Absence makes the heart grow fonder” – (this means that when you separate from someone that you love by putting distance between you that you will inevitably love them more and yearn to see them.)
"All that glitters is not gold” – (this means that just because something looks good, does not necessarily mean that it is good.)