Textual Cohesion in Selected Yemeni Proverbs

Abstract

This study investigates textual cohesion in a selected corpus of Yemeni proverbs, focusing on the linguistic mechanisms that allow these brief utterances to encapsulate complex human experiences with clarity and depth. Despite their concise structure, Yemeni proverbs display a sophisticated internal organization that relies on cohesive devices functioning at multiple textual levels. Drawing on the principles of text linguistics, the research analyzes how reference, ellipsis, conjunction, repetition, and collocation operate within the proverb as a compact textual unit to ensure coherence and semantic unity. The study is structured into an introduction, five analytical sections, and a conclusion. The introduction outlines the concept and importance of textual cohesion and situates Yemeni proverbs within their cultural and communicative contexts. Each subsequent section examines a major cohesive device, tracing its forms and functions in the proverbs under study. The findings reveal that Yemeni proverbs consistently employ cohesive strategies to bind their parts into tightly woven, meaningful expressions, enabling them to function as culturally resonant tools of wisdom, instruction, and social commentary. The study demonstrates that cohesion is a defining feature of Yemeni proverbs, contributing to their stylistic impact, durability, and communicative effectiveness within the Yemeni cultural tradition.