DOI: 10.36347/sjahss.2014.v02i01.018

Pages: 97-105

This paper examines the themes and structures of Kilba proverbs. There is no doubt that the selection and application of rhetorical devices to achieve the purpose of communication is determined by speech themes. Structures are the artistic units that can be identified as containing specific information which function together to convey the author’s or speaker’s thoughts. Proverb is one of the various linguistic devices often used to facilitate communication and to achieve desired effects. As proverb belongs to the syntactic structure and pragmatics, And discursive after and was adopted to examine the themes and structures of the proverbs employed to colour speech and expressions among the Kilba people of Adamawa state of Nigeria. The paper examined and brought to light, the different syntactic structures and themes of the proverbs used in speech and expressions by the Kilba people. The study showed that most of the proverbs embody the people’s beliefs, traditions, values and other cultural artefacts. The study also revealed that like proverbs of other Nigerian ethnic groups, Kilba proverbs have diverse themes which include human nature, human vices, values, wisdoms ,social norms, good manner, anxiety etc. They are always employed in interpersonal and group communication as means of dressing the content of speech.