Proverbs and their potential to power Social Cohesion in South Africa through multilingualism

How a groundbreaking open-access book Soshanguve Paremiology+: A Multilingual Approach uses indigenous proverbs to foster unity, respect and cultural pride across communities.

This publication also marks a significant milestone as AOSIS’s first multilingual book, setting a new standard for inclusive and accessible academic publishing.

In a country as linguistically and culturally diverse as South Africa, the need for tools that foster understanding, unity and respect across communities has never been more urgent. Soshanguve Paremiology+: A Multilingual Approach is not just a book, it is a cultural bridge, a scholarly celebration of indigenous wisdom, and a bold step toward promoting multilingualism, multiculturalism and social cohesion. Through the lens of proverbs, this book offers a compelling narrative of South Africa’s linguistic richness and the transformative power of indigenous knowledge.

What is Soshanguve Paremiology?

The book is the result of a groundbreaking project initiated at the University of South Africa (Unisa), inspired by the United Nations’ declaration of the Decade of Indigenous Languages and South Africa’s revised Language Policy Framework for Higher Education. The project aimed to investigate proverbial equivalence among South Africa’s 11 official languages, compiling over 200 common proverbs per language and digitising them into an online multilingual dictionary. This effort culminated in the creation of Soshanguve Paremiology+, a book that explores the origins, meanings, and societal roles of proverbs across linguistic communities through a multilingual approach.

Who is behind the book?

Edited by Dr Napjadi Letsoalo and Prof Mpho Ngoepe, both esteemed scholars from Unisa, the book reflects a collaborative academic effort rooted in linguistic research, cultural preservation, and digital innovation. Their leadership in the multilingual proverbs project has brought together voices from various South African language groups, making this book a truly inclusive and representative work.

Where does the book take us?

The journey of Soshanguve Paremiology+: A Multilingual Approach begins with the very name “Soshanguve,” an acronym that encapsulates South Africa’s major language families: Sotho (Sepedi / Sesotho sa Leboa, Sesotho, Setswana), Shangaan (Xitsonga), Nguni (isiZulu, isiXhosa, isiNdebele, siSwati), and Venda. The book’s chapters are written in five languages Sepedi (Sesotho sa Leboa), English, Tshivenḓa, Xitsonga and isiXhosa, each offering unique insights into the cultural and linguistic dimensions of proverbs. This multilingual structure is not merely symbolic; it is a deliberate pedagogical choice that reflects the book’s commitment to inclusivity, accessibility and equity in knowledge dissemination. By presenting scholarly content in multiple South African languages, the book invites readers from diverse linguistic backgrounds to engage with indigenous knowledge in their own mother tongues, fostering a deeper connection to the material. This approach fosters a deeper emotional and intellectual connection to the material, allowing readers to see their own cultural heritage reflected in academic discourse.

The book’s structure is as innovative as its content. Chapters are written in different languages, reflecting the linguistic diversity of South Africa and reinforcing the book’s commitment to multilingualism. This format not only showcases the richness of each language but also encourages readers to engage with unfamiliar linguistic landscapes, promoting cross-cultural literacy. This multilingual mosaic reflects the book’s ethos: that understanding and respect begin with language.

Moreover, the multilingual format challenges the dominance of English in scholarly publishing and affirms the value of African languages in intellectual spaces. It encourages intercultural dialogue and positions proverbs as tools for mutual understanding and respect. In doing so, the book becomes more than a study of language, it becomes a living archive of South Africa’s rich oral traditions and a blueprint for inclusive education.

Why do Proverbs matter?

Proverbs are far more than decorative expressions or linguistic curiosities, they are enduring vessels of cultural memory, moral instruction and communal identity. In South Africa, where historical divisions have left deep social and linguistic scars, proverbs offer a powerful means of reconnecting with shared values and traditions. As the editors of Soshanguve Paremiology+: A Multilingual Approach describe them, proverbs are “little gems that make our language sparkle,” illuminating the wisdom embedded in everyday speech.

Their importance transcends time. From precolonial oral traditions to the digital age, proverbs have served as tools for teaching, storytelling and social regulation. They pass down knowledge from one generation to the next, much like family recipes or ancestral songs. In doing so, they preserve the essence of cultural identity and ensure continuity in values, beliefs and worldviews.

Even as societies evolve through industrial revolutions, from agrarian economies to the fourth industrial revolution marked by artificial intelligence and digital communication, proverbs remain relevant. They adapt to new contexts, appearing in social media, music, literature and education. Chapters in the book explore how proverbs influence gender roles, societal norms and even digital culture, demonstrating their resilience and versatility.

By examining proverbs through theoretical frameworks such as conceptual metaphor theory and translation quality assessment, the book reveals their layered meanings and social functions. In a rapidly changing world, proverbs offer stability, insight and a sense of belonging. They are timeless tools for understanding ourselves and each other, across languages, generations and technological eras.

How does the book promote social cohesion?

One of the book’s central arguments is that a multilingual approach to language learning can promote social cohesion and mutual respect in a multicultural society. When learning proverbs in different languages, individuals gain insight into the values, beliefs and histories of other communities. This fosters empathy, reduces prejudice and encourages intercultural dialogue.

Moreover, the book challenges academic institutions to embrace indigenous knowledge systems and integrate them into curricula. It calls for a transformation in how we teach, learn and preserve cultural heritage, positioning proverbs as key tools in this endeavour.

Conclusion: A call to action

Soshanguve Paremiology+: A Multilingual Approach is more than a scholarly text, it is a cultural manifesto. It invites readers to embark on a journey into the heart of South African proverbs, to celebrate linguistic diversity, and to participate in the revitalisation of indigenous knowledge. In doing so, it contributes to a broader vision of unity, respect, and shared identity. Whether you are a student, educator, linguist or simply a lover of language, this book offers valuable insights and inspiration. It is a testament to the power of words to heal, connect, and transform. Download the open-access book, for free, here.

This opinion piece was written by Editors Napjadi Letsoalo and Mpho Ngoepe.

The open-access book is proudly funded by:

• University of South Africa, South Africa
• University of the Free State, South Africa
• University of Limpopo, South Africa