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<p>This study provides a qualitative analysis of a corpus comprising 54 Japanese proverbs, collected from various Japanese folklore books and linguistic resources. Based on Roland Barthes’ (Mythologies, Hill and Wang, 1972; The Semiotic Challenge, Hill and Wang, 1988) semiotic theory, the analysis moves beyond literal translation to deconstruct how these proverbs operate as complex sign systems that naturalize cultural history. The study examines how mundane signifiers—ranging from food and animals to nature—are appropriated to transform straightforward expressions into powerful ideological messages. The analysis aims to reveal the cultural myths they convey and highlight important Japanese cultural values and societal norms. Five main patterns of cultural myths emerged: Diligence, Prudence, and Strategic Effort; Social Harmony, Respect, and Interpersonal Conduct; Intrinsic Worth and Substance over Superficiality; Resilience, Humility, and Continuous Growth; and Gendered Roles and Societal Realities. These thematic insights enhance our understanding of how proverbs function as cultural artifacts; they reinforce values such as unwavering perseverance, cautious deliberation, reciprocal interdependence, and codified gender expectations. The analysis demonstrates that proverbs operate as a second-order semiological system (myth), where symbols are emptied of their literal context to carry ideological weight. Barthes’ framework thus offers a tool for analyzing the interaction between language, culture, and meaning-making within a non-Western context, making a new contribution to proverb scholarship.</p>

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A Semiotic Analysis of Japanese Proverbs Based on Barthes’ Framework

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年3月28日

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  • Aseel Zibin,
  • Lee Jung Ae,
  • Choi Jeong Yi,
  • Nabeeha Khalid Binhaidara

摘要

This study provides a qualitative analysis of a corpus comprising 54 Japanese proverbs, collected from various Japanese folklore books and linguistic resources. Based on Roland Barthes’ (Mythologies, Hill and Wang, 1972; The Semiotic Challenge, Hill and Wang, 1988) semiotic theory, the analysis moves beyond literal translation to deconstruct how these proverbs operate as complex sign systems that naturalize cultural history. The study examines how mundane signifiers—ranging from food and animals to nature—are appropriated to transform straightforward expressions into powerful ideological messages. The analysis aims to reveal the cultural myths they convey and highlight important Japanese cultural values and societal norms. Five main patterns of cultural myths emerged: Diligence, Prudence, and Strategic Effort; Social Harmony, Respect, and Interpersonal Conduct; Intrinsic Worth and Substance over Superficiality; Resilience, Humility, and Continuous Growth; and Gendered Roles and Societal Realities. These thematic insights enhance our understanding of how proverbs function as cultural artifacts; they reinforce values such as unwavering perseverance, cautious deliberation, reciprocal interdependence, and codified gender expectations. The analysis demonstrates that proverbs operate as a second-order semiological system (myth), where symbols are emptied of their literal context to carry ideological weight. Barthes’ framework thus offers a tool for analyzing the interaction between language, culture, and meaning-making within a non-Western context, making a new contribution to proverb scholarship.