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

Language, particularly proverbs, serves as a crucial cultural tool reflecting societal values, norms, and beliefs. Proverbs, as condensed expressions of wisdom and experience, offer insight into a culture's worldview. This study employs Bakhtinian Semiotic Theory (BST) and Feminist Critical Discourse Analysis (FCDA) to examine Jordanian folk proverbs concerning women. BST views proverbs as ideological signs reflecting cultural perceptions and stereotypes, while FCDA reveals how subtle linguistic elements perpetuate gender inequalities. Previous research on Jordanian proverbs has focused on syntactic features, translation difficulties, and psycholinguistic aspects, but not on gender representations. This study addresses this gap, analyzing the ideological representations of women in Jordanian folk proverbs to understand their role in constructing and reinforcing gender roles and power dynamics within Jordanian society. The study aims to enrich the existing literature on proverbs and provide insights into Jordanian communication patterns, paving the way for further comparative research on gender in proverbs.

Existing research highlights the significant role of folk literature in shaping perceptions of women, often portraying them through limited stereotypical roles. Feminist movements have challenged these stereotypical representations. Studies emphasize the connection between power, ideology, and proverbs, demonstrating how proverbs reflect and reinforce societal power structures. Previous work on proverbs in Arabic-speaking societies, including some studies on Iraqi and other Arab proverbs, shows a tendency toward negative portrayals of women. Research also indicates prevalent negative connotations associated with animal-related proverbs when used to describe women in Arab cultures. While some studies have explored proverbs in the Jordanian context, focusing on aspects like syntax and translation, none have specifically addressed gender-based stereotypes in Jordanian folk proverbs. This study aims to fill this significant gap in the existing literature.

This qualitative study employed a thematic analysis of 36 frequently used Jordanian folk proverbs related to women. The proverbs were collected, translated, and analyzed thematically, categorizing them into positive and negative representations. The researchers independently classified the proverbs based on their content and then engaged in discussions to establish a consensus categorization. The reliability of the analysis was ensured by co-analysis of the proverbs' content. Initial independent classifications were followed by discussions to reach a consensus, demonstrating a high degree of similarity in the researchers’ interpretations, deemed satisfactory for the study's purpose. The analysis framework draws upon Bakhtinian Semiotic Theory (BST) and Feminist Critical Discourse Analysis (FCDA) to examine the ideological underpinnings of the proverbs and their role in shaping societal perceptions of women.

Analysis of the proverbs revealed both positive and negative representations of women, although negative themes were significantly more prevalent. Positive representations emphasized women's roles as sources of kindness, devotion, motivation, and help within the family (Table 1). They were also depicted as pillars of the family and home, essential for stability and harmony (Table 2), and as symbols of optimism and blessings (Table 3). However, negative representations significantly outnumbered the positive ones, particularly among older participants. These negative themes portrayed women as feeble and weak (Table 4), immature and foolish (Table 5), sources of disgrace and shame (Table 6), typical housewives and objects of reproduction (Table 7), and figures of cunning, deception, mistrust, and jealousy (Table 8). The proverbs often reflected traditional gender roles and expectations, with women primarily defined by their domestic roles and reproductive capabilities. Furthermore, the study noted a difference in the frequency of usage of proverbs between the youth and the elderly, suggesting a potential shift in societal attitudes towards gender roles. The proverbs limiting women to stereotypical roles as housewives, while praising their affection and domestic abilities, were particularly prevalent among older participants, indicating a possible generational shift in perceptions.

The findings demonstrate that Jordanian folk proverbs reflect and reinforce existing gender inequalities. The preponderance of negative depictions reveals a deeply ingrained societal undervaluation of women, often restricting them to limited, traditional roles. The proverbs illustrate how language perpetuates patriarchal ideologies and reinforces power imbalances. While some proverbs acknowledge women's positive contributions, these are significantly overshadowed by negative stereotypes that undermine their agency and self-worth. The differences in proverb usage between older and younger generations indicate a potential shift in attitudes, suggesting that modernizing influences are challenging traditional gender roles. However, the persistence of these negative proverbs reveals that deep-seated cultural beliefs and social norms are slow to change. The study emphasizes the need for ongoing efforts to combat gender-based stereotypes and promote gender equality in Jordanian society.

This study revealed a significant imbalance in the portrayal of women in Jordanian folk proverbs, with negative representations significantly outweighing positive ones. These proverbs reflect and reinforce traditional gender roles and expectations, perpetuating patriarchal ideologies. While some positive depictions exist, they are largely confined to women fulfilling specific domestic roles. The study highlights the need for societal interventions to address the negative stereotypes and promote gender equality. Future research should explore how these proverbs influence individual beliefs and behaviors, and how changing social norms are impacting the usage and interpretation of these proverbs across generations.

The study's limitations include its reliance on a specific sample of proverbs. While the proverbs selected were commonly used, they may not represent the full spectrum of Jordanian folk proverbs on women. Future research could expand the sample size to enhance the generalizability of the findings. Furthermore, the study primarily focused on the content of the proverbs; future research could investigate the contextual usage of these proverbs to further understand their impact on social interactions and power dynamics. The study's reliance on self-reported proverb usage may also introduce bias. Further research employing diverse data collection methods would strengthen the study's findings.