This paper is a descriptive qualitative study which examines some recent Nzema 3 proverbs that have come up as a result of the departure from their original forms. These Nzema proverbs have come about for several reasons. Some arise from simple apophthegms 4 and platitudes which over time are raised to the status of a proverb. Others have emerged from the symbolic or metaphoric use of an incident; some are based on a story or fable, while others are variations of existing proverbs. Others also come about as a result of things in the environment. Yet there are others that come about as a result of the observations of the habits of men and others triggered by the conditions of life. For example; 'Wͻammaa ɛ gͻnwo ampɛ angͻ a, ɛmpԑ ɛndwu' which is literally translated as, if you prevent your friend from passing, you will not cross either, has been discussed in this paper. Definitions, origins and moral lessons given by some scholars are discussed in this paper as well. The differences and similarities of the recent and traditional Nzema proverbs as well as the message they seek to put across are also considered in this paper.

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This paper aims to discuss Serial Verb Constructions (SVCs) in Nzema, a Southern Bia (Kwa) language. It draws on some of the characteristics and properties that have been surveyed in the existing literature, for instance, subject/object sharing, tense, aspect, and negation. It also discusses the types and functions of SVCs in Nzema. The current paper analyses the notions of tense, aspect, and polarity and how they are marked in Nzema SVCs. Most of the data used in the analysis has been derived from the daily conversations of native speakers. Four respondents were approached for the purpose of this study. The analysis shows that Nzema SVCs belong to the types explored in the literature as clause chaining, both integrated and concordial. Moreover, serial verb patterns are used by the speakers to add argument, such as an instrument or beneficiary. Future markers are used before the verbs, while past markers occur after the verbs. On the other hand, progressive aspect markers occur before the verbs in the speech of the respondents. Furthermore, tense and aspect marking are repeated by the respondents on all the verbs in the series. Regarding argument sharing, the object is only shared when the verbs in the series are transitive. Keywords: argument sharing, clause chaining serialization, concordial serial verb, integrated serial verb construction

The paper examines body parts idioms as politeness strategy in Nzema communication.  Figurative devices such as proverbs and euphemisms have received quite an appreciable amount of study in connection with verbal politeness in Nzema. Little or no attention however has been given to idioms, particularly their communicative functions in the language. This paper seeks to discuss the communicative functions of some body parts related idioms in Nzema with special focus on idiomatic expressions involving the limbs, the body/skin, the heart/chest and the stomach that are used in daily discourse. The analysis is based on primary data obtained through participant and non-participant observation. The data comprise audio recordings of traditional arbitration and everyday conversations among the Nzema. The paper demonstrates that, these culturally constructed body parts related idioms are deliberately employed to avoid any straightforward language that seeks to undermine and threaten the face of an addressee and also serve as politeness device for the speaker. The paper draws on Brown and Levinson’s politeness theory.

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