LINGUOCULTURAL ASPECTS OF SIMILES IN ENGLISH AND UZBEK PROVERBS
Abstract
Proverbs represent an essential component of a nation’s linguistic and cultural heritage, reflecting collective wisdom, moral values, and social norms. One of the most expressive stylistic devices used in proverbs is simile, which enhances imagery and emotional impact through comparison. This article investigates the linguocultural aspects of similes in English and Uzbek proverbs, aiming to identify universal and culture-specific features. The study applies comparative and descriptive methods to analyze linguistic structures and cultural symbolism. The findings reveal that while similes in both languages express similar human values such as diligence, patience, and wisdom, they differ significantly in imagery due to cultural, historical, and environmental factors. The research highlights the close interconnection between language and culture and emphasizes the importance of similes as carriers of cultural meaning.
Keywords
simile, proverb, linguoculture, comparative linguistics, English proverbs, Uzbek proverbs.
References
- Baker, M. (2018). In other words: A coursebook on translation (3rd ed.). Routledge.
- Crystal, D. (2003). The Cambridge encyclopedia of the English language (2nd ed.). Cambridge University Press.
- Kövecses, Z. (2010). Metaphor: A practical introduction (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press.
- Lakoff, G., & Johnson, M. (2003). Metaphors we live by. University of Chicago Press.
- Mieder, W. (2004). Proverbs: A handbook. Greenwood Press.
- Norrick, N. R. (1985). How proverbs mean: Semantic studies in English proverbs. Mouton de Gruyter.
- Newmark, P. (1988). A textbook of translation. Prentice Hall.
- Sapir, E. (2004). Language: An introduction to the study of speech. Dover Publications.
- Wierzbicka, A. (1997). Understanding cultures through their key words. Oxford University Press.
- Xolmirzayev, A. (2015). O‘zbek xalq maqollari va iboralari. O‘zbekiston Milliy Ensiklopediyasi.