JOURNAL OF NEW CENTURY INNOVATIONS
Volume–75_Issue-1_April-2025
30
30
SEMANTIC AND LINGUOCULTURAL ANALYSIS OF PROVERBS WITH
THE CONCEPT 'FACE' IN ENGLISH AND UZBEK LANGUAGES
Kholboyeva Iroda Shukhrat Kizi
Termiz university of economics and service
Abstract
. Proverbs reflect the worldview, traditions, and cultural values of a
nation. The concept of "face" is one of the key cultural and linguistic markers in
many societies, including English and Uzbek. This article explores the semantic and
linguocultural aspects of proverbs containing the word "face" in both languages,
analyzing similarities and differences in their meanings, usage, and underlying
cultural implications.
Keywords:
proverb, face, linguocultural analysis, semantics, English, Uzbek.
The issues of the anthropocentric paradigm are also gaining prominence in the
humanities, such as modern linguistics. The anthropocentric approach in modern
comparative linguistics also applies to the field of lexicology, and is especially
evident in the study of somatisms, which include the semantics of units naming
human div parts. Usually, somatisms denote parts of the human div, but in
linguistics they are considered active lexical units in the formation and meaning of
phraseological units and paremas. Knowledge of the paremiological structure of a
language opens the way to a better and deeper understanding of the mentality of the
nation that owns that language[1].
A distinctive feature of somatic paremials is the presence of many analogues in
different languages that carry figurative meaning. Paremials express the national
characteristics of the language, its uniqueness, and also emdiv the rich historical
experience of the people, expressing aspects related to the labor activity, life and
culture of people. The study of paremials is a necessary link in mastering the
language and improving the culture of speech. The correct and appropriate use of
paremials gives speech originality, special expressiveness, accuracy, and imagery.
Thus, the widespread use of somatisms in the composition of paremials is due
to the fact that they are one of the oldest layers in the structure of various dictionaries.
The widespread use of somatic metaphors is also facilitated by the relevance of their
content, the presence of vivid images, their popularity, the ease of grammatical
construction, and their stylistic diversity. When a person names a new object, event,
and other things, first of all, he creates associations with familiar objects that are
constantly next to him, a person compares surrounding objects with himself, with
parts of his div[2].
The use of the names of div parts in somatic paremas is associated with the
JOURNAL OF NEW CENTURY INNOVATIONS
Volume–75_Issue-1_April-2025
31
31
fact that a person encounters their functions every day. The number and thematic
diversity of somatisms in paremas is associated with the importance and degree of
significance of the functions of certain organs or div parts[3].
Somatisms are distinguished by the fact that they are the most ancient and
mental layer of the vocabulary of any language. The reason for the constant attention
to somatisms is that the process of self-awareness and self-perception as a person
among the surrounding realities begins with the sensations that arise directly through
the div parts. Although the names of the human div parts are present in all
languages, each representative of the language assesses the div parts differently,
therefore it is a valuable material in studying the linguistic picture of the world. Since
somatisms have been one of the sources of knowledge and understanding of the
world since ancient times, they have been used in folk oral works - proverbs and
sayings, which are considered the beginning of literary works. A comprehensive and
detailed analysis of somatic paremas opens the way for the researcher to enter the
linguistic world of the speakers of the language to which the parema belongs[4].
To describe the human figure, its state and characteristics, we use the lexical
means of the language and psychological images created on the basis of linguistic
experience. Different languages not only allow speakers of this language to describe
reality in different ways, but they are also considered signs of culture, forming in the
speaker ideas about the world and allowing them to describe it based on the lexical
units and culture of a particular language.
Many researchers have been engaged in a comparative analysis of the
individual characteristics of units used to express different realities based on the
material of the Uzbek and English languages. The names of div parts, somatisms,
are word or compound elements that are universal across cultures and languages,
because people in all languages and cultures are physiologically the same. However,
not all div parts have the same importance in language, and some are more
important than others[5].
Language is a reflection of a nation’s culture and mentality, and proverbs serve
as a valuable source for studying the deep-rooted beliefs and perceptions of a society.
The concept of "face" has significant cultural connotations in both English and
Uzbek, symbolizing dignity, reputation, honor, and social status. This study aims to
analyze how proverbs featuring the term "face" convey cultural values in English
and Uzbek languages[6].
Proverbs with the concept of "face" in both languages reveal various meanings
and functions. They can be categorized into three main semantic groups:
Proverbs Reflecting Honor and Dignity:
English: Save face (Maintain dignity and avoid humiliation)
Uzbek: Yuzingni yerga urma (Do not bring shame upon yourself)
JOURNAL OF NEW CENTURY INNOVATIONS
Volume–75_Issue-1_April-2025
32
32
Both proverbs emphasize the importance of maintaining self-respect and social
honor.
Proverbs Expressing Shame and Embarrassment:
English: Lose face (Suffer humiliation and loss of respect)
Uzbek: yuzini burishtirmoq.
These proverbs show how the concept of face is linked to personal and societal
honor.
Proverbs Indicating Deception and Hypocrisy:
English: A fair face may hide a foul heart (Appearances can be deceiving)
Uzbek: Yuzi oppoq, ichi qop-qora (White face, black inside)
The linguistic and cultural perspectives of proverbs related to "face" reveal key
values in both societies:
English Culture: The English language proverbs often emphasize the
importance of individual reputation, self-preservation, and social perception. The
concept of "saving face" is crucial in maintaining social and professional
relationships.
Uzbek Culture: Uzbek proverbs strongly associate "face" with moral integrity
and family honor. Losing face is perceived as a disgrace not only for an individual
but also for their entire family or community.
English: The idea of "face" is more individualistic, focusing on personal
reputation and professional success.
Uzbek: The concept extends beyond the individual, emphasizing communal
honor and collective morality.
To sum up, the analysis of proverbs with "face" in English and Uzbek languages
demonstrates that this concept is deeply embedded in the moral and social
frameworks of both cultures. While both languages view "face" as a symbol of honor
and integrity, the Uzbek language places greater emphasis on collective
responsibility, whereas English proverbs highlight personal dignity and social
perception.
THE LIST OF USED LITERATURE
1.
Norrick N.R. How proverbs mean: semantic studies in English proverbs. –
New York: Mouton, 1985. – 213 р.
2.
Bengt Altenberg, A.R.Cowie. On the phraseology of spoken English // The
evidence of recurrent word-combinations. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1998. –
238 p.
3.
Gläser, Rosemarie. The Stylistic potential of phraselological units in the light of
genre analysis // Phraselogy. Oxford: Clarendon Press,1998. – 245 p.
JOURNAL OF NEW CENTURY INNOVATIONS
Volume–75_Issue-1_April-2025
33
33
4.
Knappe Gabriele. Idioms and Fixed Expressions in English Language Study
before 1800. – Peter Lang, 2004. – 664 p.;
5.
Ўзбек халқ мақоллари: [2 томлик]. Масъул муҳаррирлар: Мирзаев Т.,
Саримсоқов Б. Том 1. – Тошкент, «Фан», 1987. – 368 б.
6.
Ўзбек халқ мақоллари: [2томлик]. Масъул муҳаррирлар: Мирзаев Т.,
Саримсоқов Б. Tом 2. – Тошкент: «Фан», 1988. – 372 б.
7.
Қисқача ўзбекча-русча мақол-маталлар луғати / Тузувчи: Содиқова М. –
Тошкент: Ўқитувчи, 1993. – 76 б.
8.
Proverbs-мақоллар-пословицы /Tузувчилар: Кароматова M.М., Кароматов
Ҳ.С. – Тошкент: Меҳнат, 2000. – 400 б.
9.
Шомақсудов Ш., Шораҳмедов Ш. Маънолар махзани. – Тошкент:
“Ўзбекистон миллий энциклопедияси” Давлат илмий нашриёти, 2001. –
448 б.
10.
Жўраева Б.М. Мақолларнинг лисоний мавқеи ва маъновий-услубий
қўлланиши: Филол. фанлари номзоди дисс. – Бухоро, 2002. – 136 б.
