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Document Details : Title: Neo-Aramaic Proverbs of the Plain of Nineveh (Northern Iraq) Subtitle: A 'Communal Wisdom of a Christian Community' Author(s): TALIA, Shawqi Journal: ARAM Periodical Volume: 24 Date: 2012 Pages: 41-56 DOI: 10.2143/ARAM.24.0.3009251 Abstract : The various Neo-Aramaic dialects of the plain of Nineveh have an extensive number of proverbs, called Matle (sg. Matlā), that are used in the daily conversation of the Syriac speaking Christians. These Matle cover a multitude of socio-cultural and religious themes. While there are many genres within these proverbs, they are, essentially, pedagogic in form and style. Every proverb stems from the wisdom of an individual, hence the 'Collective Wisdom of a Community', that has been transmitted orally. Though syntax, morphology, rhetorical style and composition of the same proverb may differ from village to village, the theme of the proverb remains similar. And, while they are also found incorporated in the Neo-Aramaic literature of Zummaryātā and Durekyātā, the literary form used is still that of a short phrase or a sentence having few words, thus making it easy to remember and comprehend. This paper will give examples of the various socio-cultural and religious themes of these proverbs. A comparison with Jewish Neo-Aramaic and Arabic proverbs, as well as Biblical ones, will be cited, wherever appropriate. |
