A Cultural and Sociolinguistic Analysis of English and Iraqi Arabic Certain Animal Proverbs

Abstract

This study deals with some dog proverbs with the aim of showingthe way in which the English and the Iraqi Arabs interpret and use animalproverbs. Some dog proverbs have been. picked out and worked withLeech's (1981) connotations and Holmes' (2013) social factors. Amongthe findings, it is found out that English and Iraqi Arabs have differentattitudes towards. their animal proverbs which give the proverbs differentconnotations, and in turn, influence the way they interact with socialfactors. It is also figured out that both cultures associate the frequent useof dog proverbs with the lower prestigious occupations (e.g., farmers).Moreover, the English are more flexible in using animal proverbs withsocially remote participants more than the Iraqi Arabs do. Finally, it isconcluded that the only variable that coincides in the two cultures is theinformality variables. This means the inappropriate use of dog proverbsin the formal type of interactions in England and Iraqi Arabic speechcommunities.