American Journal Of Philological Sciences
95
https://theusajournals.com/index.php/ajps
VOLUME
Vol.05 Issue07 2025
PAGE NO.
95-97
10.37547/ajps/Volume05Issue07-23
Linguistic and Cultural Features of Similes Involving
Quantity Etalons in
Alisher Navoi’s “
Farhad And Shirin
”
PhD students., Department of Uzbek Language, Fergana State University, Fergana, 150100, Uzbekistan
PhD students., Department of Uzbek Language, Fergana State University, Fergana, 150100, Uzbekistan
Received:
31 May 2025;
Accepted:
27 June 2025;
Published:
29 July 2025
Abstract:
This article examines the linguistic and cultural characteristics of similes in Alisher Navoi’s epic Farhad
and Shirin, focusing on the role of quantity etalons. Simile constructions are analyzed from semantic, syntactic,
and stylistic perspectives, with emphasis on their sensory-based types (vision, hearing, smell, taste, touch) and
the expression of quantity (e.g., “ashkdek,” “bir necha”). Quantity etalons serve to specify volume, n
umber, or
degree within similes, enhancing their expressiveness. The study elucidates the interplay between language and
culture, underscoring the significance of similes and quantity etalons in linguistic and cultural studies.
Keywords
: Simile, quantity etalons, linguistic-cultural features, Alisher Navoi, Farhad and Shirin, semantics,
stylistics, culture, cognitive linguistics.
Introduction:
In linguistics, similes are pivotal in
revealing the expressive and aesthetic potential of
language, reflecting national worldviews and cultural
values (Humboldt, 1984). Alisher Navoi’s Farhad and
Shirin, part of his Khamsa collection, serves as a rich
source for analyzing the linguistic and cultural
dimensions of similes and their use of quantity etalons.
This study aims to classify the similes in Farhad and
Shirin, identify the role of quantity etalons, and
highlight their significance in linguistic and cultural
contexts. Its scholarly importance lies in uncovering the
expressive capabilities of the Uzbek language, analyzing
Eastern literary traditions, and exploring the cognitive
role of similes and quantity etalons.
Theoretical Framework
Similes, as figurative devices, are extensively studied in
linguistics for their role in metaphorical expression.
Aristotle defined similes as “comparing one t
hing to
another through likeness” (Aristotle, 2004, p. 1356b).
Humboldt viewed language as an expression of
national identity, emphasizing its cultural context
(Humboldt, 1984, p. 67). The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis
underscores language’s role in shaping world
view
(Whorf, 1956, p. 134).
In cognitive linguistics, Lakoff and Johnson interpret
similes and metaphors as cognitive processes,
highlighting their static and dynamic nature (Lakoff &
Johnson, 1980, p. 5). MacArthur distinguishes between
direct (e.g., “she
is as beautiful as a flower”) and
indirect similes (e.g., “our relationship is as complex as
a journey”) from a pragmatic perspective (MacArthur,
2005, p. 234). Surovtsev and Syrov (2015) emphasize
the cognitive role of metaphors in cultural production
(p. 130).
In Uzbek linguistics, similes have been explored by
Kongurov
(1987),
Mukarramov
(1976),
and
Xudoyberganova (1989). Kongurov analyzes their
syntactic and stylistic features (Kongurov, 1977, p. 45),
Mukarramov
examines
morphological
aspects
(Mukarramov, 1976, p. 88), and Xudoyberganova
focuses on semantic and stylistic dimensions
(Xudoyberganova, 1989, p. 127).
The concept of quantity is central to similes, specifying
volume, number, or degree. The Uzbek term “miqdor”
American Journal Of Philological Sciences
96
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American Journal Of Philological Sciences (ISSN
–
2771-2273)
derives from the Arabic
“
رْدَق
”
(qadr), meaning volume
or number (Wiktionary, 2023). In Uzbek, “miqdor” is
defined as “the amount or number of measurable or
countable entities” (Hojiyev et al., 2001, p. 336). In
English, “quantity” is a formal term used with both
countable and uncountable nouns (Cambridge
Dictionary, 2023).
METHODOLOGY
The study employs semantic, syntactic, and stylistic
analysis to examine similes in Farhad and Shirin.
Sensory-based similes are classified, and quantity
etalons (e.g., “ashkdek,” “bir necha”) are analyzed
within their linguistic and cultural contexts. Data were
sourced from Navoi’s 1987 and 2020 editions.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
1. Sensory-Based Similes and Quantity Etalons
Similes in Farhad and Shirin are grounded in the five
senses (vision, hearing, smell, taste, touch), with
quantity etalons enhancing their precision.
2. Vision-Based Simile
Alarg‘a oshkoro
-yu nihoni,
Ko‘z ichra ashkdek asratqil oni (Navoiy, 1987, p. 124).
The term “ashkdek” (like tears) denotes the small
volume of tears, emphasizing the subtlety of love and
suffering. The quantity etalon enhances vividness (De
Mendoza Ibáñez & Cervel, 2023, p. 103541).
3. Hearing-Based Simile
Choparda quyrug‘in aylab alam ul,
Qulog‘idek ayog‘din
-bosh qalam ul (Navoiy, 1987, p.
156).
“Qulog‘idek” (like an ear) conveys the character’s inner
turmoil, with quantity expressed as an indefinite yet
perceptible degree (Jones & Love, 2006, p. 196).
4. Smell-Based Simile
Solib majmarga tun udi qamori,
O‘ti xurshid ulub, anjum
-sharori (Navoiy, 1987, p. 89).
“Tun udi” (n
ight-scented oud) implies an infinite
quantity, enriching Eastern aesthetic traditions
(Surovtsev & Syrov, 2015, p. 130).
5. Taste-Based Simile
Tuzub bazm ul kecha ham komu nokom,
Ichib achchiqqa-achchiq bir necha jom (Navoiy, 1987, p.
178).
“Bir necha jom” (several cups) denotes an indefinite
but significant quantity, while “achchiqqa
-
achchiq”
(bitterly bitter) emphasizes repetitive intensity (Rundell
& Fox, 2007, p. 1422).
6. Touch-Based Simile
Ichinda sham o‘tluq joni ma’yus,
Teri birla so‘
ngok andoqki fonus (Navoiy, 1987, p. 202).
“Teri birla so‘ngok” (skin and bone like a lantern)
conveys a small volume, symbolizing fading hope
(Elzinga, 2005, p. 757).
Additional Similes and Quantity Etalons
Example 1:
Navoiy, xomadek tortib uzun til,
Ne d
ersen, oxir o‘z haddingni bilgil (Navoiy, 1987, p.
98).
“Xomadek” (like a pen) symbolizes creativity, with
“uzun til” (long tongue) indicating an expansive
quantity of speech (Shomaqsudov et al., 1983, p. 248).
Example 2:
Muanbar zulfidek kam soya bo‘lg‘ay
(Navoiy, 1987, p.
132).
“Zulfidek” (like hair) reflects delicacy, and “kam soya”
(little shadow) denotes a minimal quantity, enhancing
imagery (Xudoyberganova, 2015, p. 41).
Example 3:
Malakdek zikr ila ko‘nglin to‘q aylab (Navoiy, 1987, p.
165).
“Malakdek” (like an angel) signifies spiritual purity, with
“to‘q” (full) indicating a high degree of fulfillment
(Ricoeur, 1977, p. 216).
Example 4:
Falak yanglig‘ biyik hikmat bu bo‘lg‘ay!
Quyosh yanglig‘ arig‘ niyat bu bo‘lg‘ay (Navoiy, 1987, p.
187).
“Yanglig‘”
(like)
denotes
boundless
quantity,
emphasizing cosmic grandeur (Kongurov, 1977, p. 45).
Linguistic-Cultural Significance of Quantity Etalons
Quantity etalons (“ashkdek,” “bir necha,” “yanglig‘”)
specify volume, number, or degree in similes. In Uzbek,
“miqdor” applies broadly to countable and
uncountable entities (Hojiyev et al., 2001, p. 336).
Navoi’s similes reflect Eastern cultural aesthetics, as
seen in the use of oud in smell-based similes
(Xudoyberganova, 2015, p. 41).
Table 1: Quantity Etalons in Similes
Simile
Quantity Etalon Meaning
Linguistic-Cultural Feature
American Journal Of Philological Sciences
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American Journal Of Philological Sciences (ISSN
–
2771-2273)
Ashkdek
Small volume
Subtlety
Delicate nature of love and
suffering
Bir necha
Indefinite
quantity
Notable
degree
Repetitive intensity of inner turmoil
Quyosh\oy
Yanglig‘
Boundless volume Grandeur
Eastern cosmology and purity
Cultural and Linguistic Features
Navoi’s similes emdiv Uzbek cultural and
philosophical values. For instance, smell-based similes
using oud reflect Eastern traditions (Xudoyberganova,
2015, p. 41). Ricoeur describes metaphors as tools for
reimagining reality (Ricoeur, 1977, p. 216), a concept
Navoi’s similes exemplify.
Navoi’s similes employ quantity etalons to articulate
the depth and scope of emotions. “Ashkdek” conveys
subtlety, “bir necha” indicates significant quantity, and
“yanglig‘” suggests infinity. These etalons enhance the
expressiveness of Uzbek and reflect Eastern literary
traditions.
CONCLUSION
The similes in Farhad and Shirin illuminate the linguistic
and cultural richness of the Uzbek language and
Eastern literary traditions. Quantity etalons enhance
the vividness and precision of similes, revealing the
cognitive and cultural potential of language. This study
underscores the importance of similes and quantity
etalons in linguistic research.
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