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APHORISM, ITS ORIGIN AND SIGNIFICANCE IN OUR SOCIAL LIFE
Abulova Zilola Azimovna
Associate Professor of Bukhara State University,
Uzbekistan
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14039777
Abstract:
This article analyzes in detail the etymology of the term
aphorism and theoretical views on the problem. The first cases of using this
term in science, aphorisms on various topics and their significance in our lives
are highlighted.
Keywords:
aphorism, Heraclitus, Hippocrates, Pascal, Goethe,
Lichtenberg, , axiom, Oxford Book of Aphorisms.
It is obvious that the language is changing significantly right before our
eyes. There are many opinions of scientists about the good and bad sides of this
phenomenon. Currently, linguistics is studying in depth the problems of non-
standard speech, exploring its features and characteristics due to the fact that in
modern language there is a wide spread of aphorisms in social networks.
In our dynamic era with its high pace of life and a huge amount of literary
and information products, the most capacious genre of literature - aphoristics -
is in great demand. Elements of aphoristic thinking allow us to single out
something very essential for knowledge in the sea of information, to determine
our personal position. Aphoristic expression generalizes and typifies the diverse
manifestations of personal and social life, and also firmly exists in
communication as its organic part, as a capacious and concentrated form of
artistic reflection of reality and expression of the attitude of language to it.
Aphorisms are the subject of research of linguists, literary scholars,
historians, philosophers. However, despite the ancient origin of aphoristics, as
well as the wide use of aphorisms in speech, the phenomenon of aphorism has
not yet been fully studied. This is confirmed by the very definition of the concept
of "aphorism", which is interpreted by linguists in different ways. A vast field for
discussion is the forms of aphorisms, their structural and semantic features.
These provisions confirm the relevance of our study.
The purpose of this work is to identify and describe the structural and
semantic features of English-language aphorisms, using the aphorisms of the
authors we have selected as an example.
The relevance of this study is determined by the need to analyze the
influence of social networks on the subject of semantics and stylistics of
English aphorisms using social networks as an example. The Internet, as is
known, is currently the most global means of transmitting information among
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young people. It quickly disseminates information about current events both
within the country and around the world, broadens the horizons of young
people. In addition, when transmitting information, social networks influence
the audience of their readers, shape their worldview, perception, behavior and
assessment of the world around them.
The object of the study is English aphorisms using social networks as an
example.
The subject is the semantic and stylistic analysis of English aphorisms in
social networks.
In order to characterize aphorism more fully, let us consider several of
the most illustrative definitions.
"An aphorism is a short and expressive saying" (Explanatory Dictionary
of the Russian Language, 1935).
"Aphorism is a short clever saying that is intended to express a general
truth" (http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/aphorism).
"Aphorism is a terse saying emdiving a general truth, or astute
observation" (http://www.dictionary.com/browse/aphorism).
"Aphorism is a concise expression of doctrine or principle or any
generally accepted truth conveyed in a pithy, memorable statement"
(https://www.britannica.com/art/aphorism).
"Aphorism – 1. A pithy observation which contains a general truth; 2. A
concise statement of a scientific principle, typically by a classical author»
(https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/aphorism).
From the above definitions, we can highlight several distinctive
properties of an aphorism, such as: brevity, paradoxicality, originality,
memorability, and, often, the presence of an author. Considering all of the
above properties, let's make our own definition of an aphorism.
"An aphorism is an original, complete thought, expressed in a short,
memorable form, reflecting well-known truths or a generalized, deep thought
of the author."
An aphorism is characterized by the fullness and completeness of the
semantic content, brevity and precision of verbal expression, aphorisms are
often called everyday wisdom. Often, an aphorism does not cause
contradictions in the reader, it only reminds of simple truths that a person
neglects. Aphoristics widely use puns, logical shifts, manifested in the
opposition of similar concepts and identifications of opposites;
unexpectedness is achieved by destroying the associations fixed behind words.
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Aphorism as a literary genre is attractive to the reader due to the novelty and
unexpectedness of the content, the polish of the form. It is attractive both in a
separate form and in the context of a speech, article or work of art. Aphorisms
created specifically as aphorisms predominate in numerous collections of
aphorisms or on websites on the Internet. Not so numerous are catchphrases
and quotations created in the context of works or speeches of authors. The
most prominent representatives of aphorism as an independent genre are: F.
de La Rochefoucauld, N. Chamfort, B. Pascal, I.V. Goethe, S.E. Lets, and others.
Many aphorisms are quotations from works; For example, most of Oscar
Wilde's aphorisms are lines from his plays.
The modern concept of an aphorism is not exhaustive, since it does not take into
account its artistic aspect. In this regard, we can give a final definition of an
aphorism in the following words: an aphorism is a deep, striving for truth and
obtained by generalization, a complete thought of a certain author in an
extremely brief, polished and highly artistic form. At this stage of the study, the
aphorisms of the sample were analyzed from the point of view of the semantics
of their general meaning, i.e. the meaning of the aphorism as a whole. Usually,
the subject of aphorisms is aimed at "eternal questions": about truth and justice,
life and death, war and peace, happiness and unhappiness, about the state
structure, etc. It reflects all facets of human individuality and human society.
References:
1.
Oxford Book of Aphorisms. John Gross, the editor. Oxford University Press,
1987. – 383 p.
2.
Oxford Book of Aphorisms. John Gross, the editor. Oxford University
Press, 1987. – P. VII.
3.
https://uz.warbletoncouncil.org/aforismo-1035
4.
Razzokovna, O. M. Suspense as a Literary Device in English Literature.
International Journal on Integrated Education, 3(1), 168-172.
