Linguistic Interpretation of Proverbs in the Kenyang Language

Much has been written in the Kenyang language as far as descriptive grammar is concern, but there is still a lot to be done concerning its vocabulary and semantic analysis. Thus, this paper aims to analyze and explain the linguistic features that the Kenyang proverbs process. It equally seeks to discuss the functions and uses of proverbs taking examples from the language in question. The findings demonstrate that the Kenyang proverbs are characterized by linguistic features such as, metaphors, ironies and ellipses. The main functions of the Kenyang proverbs are to criticize, advice, warn and to give moral lesson to the hearers. Kenyang is a language spoken in the South West region of Cameroon precisely by the people of Manyu division.