Figurative Language in Setswana (2): Maele [Idioms]

Figurative Language in Setswana (2): Maele [Idioms]

[ENG] Figurative and poetic language in Setswana includes idioms, known as “maele” [singular: leele]. The word maele has a homograph pronounced slightly differently (with a higher stress on the first ‘e’), which just means knowledge/wisdom. Maele [idioms] differ from diane mainly in that they are more of phrases used inside a sentence, than complete sentences/tales; and that they do not usually have a meaningful literal meaning.

Similar to diane, maele can sometimes be born of foreign concepts, or adopted/translated from other languages. And although it is generally believed that all maele ca be traced back to “motsogapele” (people from yesteryear), there are some which have been coined up in recent years and have received mainstream acceptance.

Although maele are often listed in infinitive form (each beginning with the Setswana word “go” [meaning “to”]), when used in actual paragraphs or conversation, the structure of the phrase may be significantly different, as this is all dependent on other grammar elements within that paragraph, such as verb tense, person, noun position, etc. For instance “Go adima motho ditsebe”, when used in a sentence may appear as “nkadime ditsebe” or “ke fa a gana go adima yo mongwe ditsebe”, etc. What is important is the core meaning of the phrase.

This section is just a collection of Setswana idioms, together with their explanations. There are three main subsections:
1. Maele le Ditlhaloso (explanations in Setswana)
2. Maele with English Explanations
3. Maele with English Equivelants

See the Diane le Maele post for a broader overview.