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SEMANTIC ANALYSIS OF LINGUISTIC UNITS DENOTING TRADITIONAL AND
FORMAL PRACTICES PERFORMED ON THE WEDDING DAY
Shodiya Makhmudovna Aripova
Lecturer, Fergana State University
Moldir Balgabayevna Shoymanova
candidate of philological sciences
associate professor of M.Auezov South Kazakhstan University
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15353475
Abstract
. This article presents a comparative semantic analysis of lexical units related to
wedding day ceremonies in Uzbek and German languages. Since linguistic units serve not only
as components of language systems but also as expressions of culture and values, their
significance in cultural and religious contexts is studied. In Uzbek, words such as “to‘y”, “kelin
salom”, and “yor-yor” relate to traditional rituals, while in German, concepts like “Hochzeit”,
“Polterabend”, and “Brautkleid” reflect different societal approaches to marriage. The article
highlights intercultural similarities and differences of these lexical items and explains, from a
linguistic standpoint, how wedding ceremonies are expressed through language.
Keywords
: lexical units, wedding ceremonies, Uzbek language, German language,
semantics, cultural context, religious values, traditions, comparative analysis, language and
society.
Language is not only a means of communication but also a principal medium that reflects
a society's culture, values, and traditions. Especially significant social events, particularly
traditions observed on the wedding day, are represented through lexical units embedded in the
language system. These linguistic elements reflect the people’s worldview, customs, and
religious beliefs. Lexical units associated with marriage ceremonies in Uzbek and German serve
as essential resources in identifying intercultural similarities and differences. For instance, terms
like “kelin salom” or “yor-yor” in Uzbek and “Polterabend” or “Brautstrauß” in German reveal
how each culture's matrimonial values are expressed linguistically. This article specifically
focuses on analyzing the semantic characteristics of lexical items related to wedding rituals and
comparing their cultural foundations. Lexical items connected to wedding rituals have long been
examined in linguistics as objects of intercultural analysis. Through these units, one can identify
how values, religious beliefs, customs, and social relations of a people are embedded in their
linguistic structure. These topics have been thoroughly explored by linguists particularly within
the scope of intercultural pragmatics and linguoculturology.
Claire Kramsch, in her work “Context and Culture in Language Teaching,” emphasizes
the intrinsic link between language and culture, stating that every word embodies a cultural
concept. According to her, lexical items related to rituals act as cultural codes, enabling learners
to comprehend not just the language but the entire social system.
Anna Wierzbicka, through her method of universal semantic analysis, asserts that a
nation’s mentality can be understood only through key words – particularly those related to
marriage and family values – in various languages. She illustrates the semantic distinctiveness of
the terms “Braut/kelin” and distinguishes their religious and social roles.
Edward T. Hall, in his book “Beyond Culture,” discusses the deeper layers of culture –
especially rituals, customs, and the linguistic units that express them. He demonstrates that
language is not merely a tool for communication, but also a hidden form of societal values. The
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expression of wedding rituals in language has also been examined through the lens of religious
and legal semantics. Eugene Nida, in his theory of translation, analyzed how cultural differences
are reflected in language through the translation of religious texts. According to Nida, words like
“marriage” or “wedding” carry different religious and moral connotations depending on the
context.
Alessandro Duranti studies the linguistic expression of sociocultural events such as
marriage rituals from the perspective of linguistic anthropology. He emphasizes the interrelation
between ceremonial vocabulary, social roles, and language structure.
The literature demonstrates that lexical units related to wedding rituals are analyzed not
only semantically but also in terms of intercultural communication, religious belief, moral
values, and sociological functions. This enables the identification of deep interconnections
between language and culture through the comparative analysis of Uzbek and German lexical
units. Within the linguistic system, lexical items related to rituals are formed as integral
components of national culture. Words associated with wedding rituals are of particular
importance as they mirror social values, religious beliefs, and traditional customs. Both Uzbek
and German contain numerous lexical items related to these ceremonies, reflecting each society’s
approach to marriage through language.
Wedding day rituals in Uzbek are broad and multi-staged and are represented by key
lexical units such as “to‘y” (wedding), “kelin” (bride), “kuyov” (groom), “oq libos” (white
dress), “yor-yor” (a traditional wedding song), “kelin salom” (bride’s greeting), and “uzuk
taqish” (ring ceremony). Each of these terms carries specific social and cultural connotations.
For example, the term “oq libos” symbolizes purity, innocence, and the beginning of a new life
in Uzbek culture. “Yor-yor” is a lyrical song expressing love between the bride and groom and
goodwill from their families; this ceremony reflects cultural values in an oral poetic form.
In German, key lexical units related to weddings include “Hochzeit” (wedding), “Braut”
(bride), “Bräutigam” (groom), “Brautkleid” (bridal dress), “Eheringe” (wedding rings),
“Polterabend” (pre-wedding party), and “Brautstrauß” (bridal bouquet). For instance, the
“Brautstrauß” is traditionally thrown backward by the bride, and this act is seen as a symbolic
prediction of who will marry next.
“Polterabend” is an ancient tradition where guests break ceramic dishes as a symbolic act
to drive away evil spirits.
The semantic analysis of these lexical units shows that in both languages and cultures,
wedding-related expressions are closely tied to religious, moral, and social values. From a
comparative perspective, poetic expressions and oral folklore are more prominent in Uzbek,
while religious and legal connotations are more apparent in German. For example, the “kelin
salom” ritual in Uzbek culture is a symbolic gesture by the bride showing respect and honor to
her new family, whereas in German culture, the act of “Eheringe tauschen” (exchanging wedding
rings) is a formal and religiously significant ceremony. Such examples allow for a deeper
understanding of the semantic weight, cultural meaning, and societal role of lexical items.
Additionally, certain terms exist in both languages. For instance, the concepts of “kelin” (bride)
and “kuyov” (groom) are present in both societies and represent the central figures in the
marriage process. However, the cultural expression and symbolic meanings of these terms may
differ across the two cultures.
Marriage ceremonies in every culture carry unique social, religious, and moral
significance and are expressed through specific lexical units in the language system. Wedding-
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day rituals in Uzbek and German are expressed through rich lexical units that reflect both
semantic similarities and differences between the two languages. The research shows that in
Uzbek, these rituals are more strongly associated with oral folklore, poetic tradition, and
customary practices, whereas in German, legal and religious foundations are more prominently
represented. Both languages and cultures share key concepts such as “bride”, “groom”,
“wedding”, “dress”, and “ring”, and their semantic interpretations indicate notable similarities.
At the same time, expressions like “yor-yor” and “kelin salom”, which are unique to Uzbek
culture, and terms like “Polterabend” and “Brautstrauß”, which are specific to German culture,
highlight cultural distinctions. These analyses demonstrate that lexical items related to wedding
rituals serve as valuable scholarly sources not only in linguistics but also in linguoculturology,
sociology, and religious studies. Such comparative studies contribute to deepening intercultural
dialogue, selecting meaningful materials in language education, and fostering understanding of
national values in an international context.
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1.
Kramsch C. Context and Culture in Language Teaching. – Oxford: Oxford University
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Wierzbicka A. Understanding Cultures Through Their Key Words: English, Russian,
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Duranti A. Linguistic Anthropology. – Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1997. –
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Nida E.A. Language and Culture: Contexts in Translating. – Shanghai: Shanghai Foreign
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Hall E.T. Beyond Culture. – New York: Anchor Books, 1976. – B. 96.
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