Conference paper

Proverbs in Zagreb newspaper „Vjesnik"

Maja Bošković-Stulli

Abstract

Proverbs in Zagreb newspaper „Vjesnik" (Summary) In the article the author analyzes sayings and proverbs used in the headlines of the Zagreb daily newspaper „Vjesnik" in the period 1974 -1978. The article demonstrates the way in which proverbs in the newspaper are intentionally dissociated from their traditional folklore pattern. The text of'a proverb varies, it is modified, the objects it refers to as well as its meanings are changed, on the assumption that the reader is acquainted with the pattern and is conscious of its adaptations. The form of the proverb, especially with regard to its syntax, is modified. The proverb is frequently elliptically contracted or is reduced to one-word allusion. Sometimes the proverb expands according to the newspaper context. By changing the objects that the proverb refers to new metaphors are formed. Old traditional objects to which proverbs refer are substituted by concepts belonging to the contemporary socio-political vocabulary. The author analyzes the subject-matter of the articles in which proverbs are most frequently encountered: they are mostly articles criticizing various social phenomena. By the authority of their condensed old experience in judging the events of life the proverbs give competence to the criticism expressed in the newspaper article. Here the modem dimension consists in dissociating from the old proverb, which is realized by the modification of the text and by a light irony. The English text of this article was published in the collection „Folklore on Two Continents: Essays in Honor of Linda Degh", Bloomington 1980.

Keywords

Hrčak ID:

80114

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/80114

Publication date:

1.12.1980.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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