THE ROLE OF ETHNOLINGUISTICS IN UNDERSTANDING PROVERBS: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF UZBEK AND ENGLISH CULTURES
Keywords:
Key words: Ethnolinguistics, paremiology, Uzbek proverbs, English proverbs, cultural worldview, Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, language and culture, metaphor, intercultural communication, traditional wisdomAbstract
Annotation
This article examines the role of ethnolinguistics in understanding proverbs
through a comparative analysis of Uzbek and English cultural traditions. Drawing on
ethnolinguistic theory, the study explores how proverbs function as cultural artifacts
that encode collective wisdom, values, and worldviews within their respective
societies. The research analyzes Uzbek proverbs (maqol) which reflect themes of
patience, family harmony, and divine providence, shaped by Central Asian geography
and Islamic civilization. In contrast, English proverbs emphasize individual agency,
time consciousness, and practical wisdom, reflecting Protestant work ethic and
capitalist influences. While both traditions address universal human concerns such as
friendship, morality, and hard work, they approach these themes through distinctly
different cultural lenses. By analyzing proverbs related to agriculture and clothing, the
article reveals significant differences and shared values between Uzbek and English
traditions. The paper further highlights how linguistic mechanisms—such as metaphor,
rhythm, and syntax—serve to encode cultural meaning and ensure intergenerational
transmission. The findings underscore the value of ethnolinguistic analysis in
promoting cross-cultural understanding and suggest avenues for future research in
paremiology, cognitive linguistics, and cultural preservation.
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