Ideological representations of women in Jordanian folk proverbs from the perspective of cultural semiotics

Abstract

This study analyses the semiotics of proverbs by presenting the ideological portrayals of women in Jordanian folk proverbs. The content analysis of the proverbs shows that women are represented both positively and negatively, though they are preponderantly depicted negatively in the majority of the analysed proverbs. They are represented negatively as a symbol of feebleness, foolishness, disgrace, cunning, deception, jealousy and reproduction. Few are the proverbs that elevate the status of women, and if they do, it is on the condition that they are confined to particular restricted gender roles, such as mothers, sisters, wives and daughters providing kindness, help, motivation, and comfort to others. The findings uncover how socially dominant ideologies can influence the way power is practiced in the context of gender relations. They also show the immense significance of such proverbs as a social discourse that has been long used for perpetuating gendered roles and constructing and interpreting related realities, thus affecting social structures and relationships. The inferiority of women constitutes the basis of their assigned roles and responsibilities in various life domains. The proverbs have the ideological indexicals of underestimating women, showing their position in society and also reminding them of their roles.