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175PHRASEOLOGICAL UNITS AS NATIONAL-CULTURAL SPECIFICS OF THE ENGLISH AND UZBEK LANGUAGES
Dildora Fayzulla qizi Gaybullayeva dildoragaybullayeva@gmail .com Uzbekistan State University of World Languages
Abstract: This article traces the information about phraseological units as the most culture specific and nationally relevant linguistic units of the English and Uzbek languages. In this respect phraseological units are revealed by grouping in non-related languages focusing on one classification. Furthermore, article provides striking examples which illustrate the national culture of the languages with the help of comparative analysis method.
Keywords: phraseology, phraseologisms, culture relevant units, lacunar phraseologisms, linguistic comparativeness.
Language is part of the culture of the nation - it preserves the culture and transmits it to other generations. S.G.Ter-Minasova calls a language the mirror of the surrounding world "... it [the language] reflects the reality and creates its own picture of the world, specific and unique to each language and, consequently, for the people, ethnic group, speech community, using the given language as a means of communication" [9].
According to E.V.Uryson, language systems offer an inherently different representation of the surrounding reality: "We know that every language divides the world in its own manner, that is, it has its own particular way of conceptualizing it. At the heart of each particular language there is a special model, or the picture of the world, and the speaker organizes the content of what (s)he says in accordance with this model" [5].
Phraseology, according to V.A.Maslova, is a fragment of the linguistic world picture; it is employed to understand and evaluate the world rather than to describe it. V.A.Maslova suggests that phraseological units have a close relationship with native speakers' background knowledge, as well as their cultural and historical traditions.
"Phraseology is the mirror where the human's national and cultural identity is reflected" [8].
One of the categories in which national mindset manifests itself is phraseological means of language. Idioms, along with the imagery, symbols, and stereotypes they include, cover a large portion of the human experience and carry the nation's linguacultural code. They reflect centuries of history, religious beliefs, people's wisdom, and moral ideals, all of which are important aspects of the national culture.
V.N.Teliya believes that phraseological units "... are associated with cultural and national standards, stereotypes, myths and so on and when being used in speech they reflect the mindset characteristic for a certain linguacultural community" [7].
S.G.Ter-Minasova believes that phraseological units have a significant role in the formation of language and culture: "The idiomatic layer of the language, i.e., in the layer which, by definition, is specific for each particular nation, stores the values, public morals, attitude to the world, to people and other nations. Idioms, proverbs and sayings illustrate the way of life as well as geographical location of a nation, the history and traditions of the community united by one culture" [9].
According to V.A.Maslova, idioms play a significant function in identifying national and cultural characteristics. They are the soul of every national language; they convey the language's character as well as the people's uniqueness. Phraseological units are called to understand, assess, and convey our subjective attitude toward the world around us, not just to describe it [6]. Idioms play a role in the shaping of an individual's and a community's worldview.
The semantic structure of phraseological units is primarily determined by extralinguistic factors, and phraseological units most fully and clearly reflect various aspects of life and the living conditions of a particular people, their collective consciousness, and centuries-old experience preserved in the form of verbal utterances.
Due to the development of the anthropological paradigm, which focuses on the study of "language in close connection with a human, his consciousness, thinking, spiritual, and practical activity," the issue of national-cultural specifics of phraseological system of the language is currently the subject of research for many linguists. Phraseological units are the most culture-specific and nationally important linguistic units in this regard.
The study of relationships between phraseological units and cultural signs, the study of the system of values in the form of etalons, patterns, and symbols, and the national cultural distinctiveness of phraseological units are all part of the linguacultural phraseology. The phraseological components are recognized to be the most "culture relevant," since they reflect people's culture, ideas, customs, ancient rites and traditions, and patterns of behavior.
According to many researchers, cultural specifics of phraseological units is connected with the so-called non-equivalent or lacunar phraseological units, which exist in any language. The results of the analysis of the linguistic materials by Z.V. Korzyukova [2] (focusing on Kunin's classification) allowed us to classify English and Uzbek phraseological units and identify several groups that reflect cultural information:
1. Phraseological units, reflecting the customs and traditions of the English/Uzbek people
In English, there is a phraseologism "an unlicked cub". According to medieval tradition of English, the bear cub is misshapen and imperfect till its dam has licked it into form. "Baker's dozen" is another example of phraseological unit that reflects the traditions of English. According to the old English custom, traders received the thirteenth loaf from the bakers, instead of twelve, the 13th was at the baker's expense. In Uzbek language, "teng-tengi bilan tezak qopi bilan" phraseological unit illustrates the Uzbek traditions. This idiomatic expression means each fellow should marry the girl whose social level is in the same position. In English, the proverb "Every Jack has his Jill" can be replaced with the meaning of the very idiom. Next example in Uzbek is "Chiqqan qiz chig'iriqdan tashqari" which means the daughter who has already married does not have a right to live together with her parents and to make her business with them. According to Uzbek culture, married girl should live with her pair forever without paying attention to some ups and downs of life.
2. Phraseological units associated with the English/Uzbek realia
Realia is defined as a culturally specific word or phrase which is often difficult, if possible, at all, to translate into the target language. "Carry coals to Newcastle" is one of realia-included phraseologisms which means to carry something which is excessive in the place. Newcastle is the center of coal production. Among Englishmen, a large number of lexemes with realia used in English phraseology are the names of monetary units and units of measure (weight, volume, length). For example, "penny wise and pound foolish" (careful in small matters but careless in more important ones), "in for a penny in for a pound" (used for expressing intention to finish something), "give them an inch and they will take a mile" (make a small concession and they'll take advantage of you), "look a million dollars" (to look extremely attractive and well-dressed). In contrast, Uzbek language is rich in phraseologisms associated with realia of national food such as "chuchvarani xom sanamoq" (to mistake about someone or something), "oshga tushgan xira pashshaday" (unwanted person), "yosh kelsa ishga, qari kelsa oshga" (youngsters for labor while the older for rest) and clothing including "astar-avrasini ag'darmoq" (to look into something in-depth), "bir-ikki yaktakni ortiqroq yirtgan" (more experienced), "do'ppisini osmonga otmoq" (to have luck and happiness), "kavushini to'g'irlab qo'ymoq" (to punish), "gapga to'n kiydirmoq" (to deceive someone) etc.
3. Phraseological units associated with the names of British/Uzbek writers, scientists, politicians, people.
"Lady Bracknell" in English means the self-loved aristocratic women. Bracknell was a character in Oscar Wilde's play "The Importance of Being Earnest". She is a severe upper-class Englishwoman who speaks some of Wilde's most humorous lines. Another example to this category is "According to Cocker" in the meaning of following the rules or criteria of something perfectly. Cocker (1631-1675) is a scientist known in
mathematics and arithmetic, the author of the book in arithmetic popular in the 17 centuries. "The Admirable Crichton", "King Charlie's head", "Queen Ann is dead" are other instances for idiomatic expressions reflecting English writers. In the Uzbek language, "Jonini Jabborga bermoq" idiomatic expression can be taken as an example. It means doing something with much effort, overdoing something with hardworking. Jabbor is a male Uzbek name which remains the alliteration with the word "jon" in the phraseologism. Additionally, according to the folklore of Uzbeks, he was strict employer who demanded much attention of employees. "Padarkush Abdullatif' can also be enumerated in the line of phraseological units reflecting Uzbek anthroponyms. The meaning of this idiom is a person who possesses brutally bad attitude to his father. Abdullatif was the son Mirzo Ulughbek from Temurids. He was the only bad-tempered son who killed his father overdrinking.
4. Phraseological units associated with superstitions
"A black sheep" phraseologism is associated with superstations of English-speaking countries. According to the old belief black sheep is marked by the seal of the devil, this idiom is used in the meaning of the shame of the family. Next example is "to show the white feather" which means to show timidity. In English culture people superstate that a white feather in a tail of fighting cock is a sign of bad breed. "Qirmich yegan qiz" is a frequently used idiom in Uzbek language. The Uzbek utilize this idiom for the girls whose wedding day is rainy. Component "qirmich" is the leftover of the boiled milk. Its origin belongs to Uzbek superstations which no one can explain why this product is used to describe rainy wedding day. Another interesting phraseological unit in Uzbek is "kavushiga sabzi solmoq". According to the so-so sentences, the fellows put a carrot into his father's kavush (Uzbek national shoes) for expressing their wish to marry.
5. Phraseological units associated with astrology
"Over the moon" means that you are extremely happy about something in English phraseology. This idiom is astrology-associative idiom due to the component "moon". Another example, "Once in a blue moon" means that something happens very rarely. The origins of this phrase are a bit uncertain, but one explanation is this: there are normally 12 full moons per year, one each month. However, once every three years, a month sees 2 full moons. When this happens, it is a blue moon. "Do a moonlight flit" phraseologism can be taken as next example which means a very hurried and secret departure at night. "A touch of the sun" (to suffer from a mild case of sunstroke), "to believe in one's star" (to believe in somebody's destiny) also associate with astrology keeping cultural views of English. In Uzbek, "yulduzni benavon uradigan" (very bold person to do something), "yulduzi-yulduziga to'g'ri kelmoq" (to consider bride and groom as suitable to one another), "yettinchi osmunda yurmoq" (to be extremely delighted), "fig'oni falak bo'ldi" (to get really nervous), "ko'kka ko'tarmoq" (to care
someone highly or respect) phraseological units reflect how Uzbek people link their culture with astrology.
6. Phraseological units borrowedfrom folk tales and fables
In English, "Fortunatus's purse" is a prior example of this group. Being derived from from a fairy tale's character Fortunatus, this phraseological unit means an inexhaustible purse. "In borrowed plumes" with the meaning of "a showy display that is not truly one's own" came from In Borrowed Plumes, American silent drama and "A dog in the manger" - a person who has no need of, or ability to use, a possession that would be of use or value to others, but who prevents others from having it, borrowed from the fable of the dog that lay in a manger to prevent the ox and horse from eating the hay in the late 16th century. In Uzbek language phraseologism "Jasadidan eshak hurkadi" (an arrogant, rude and merciless person) was initially used in "Otamdan qolgan dalalar" by outstanding Uzbek writer Togay Murod. This phrase creates an image of a bad person because he uses impolite language towards his inferiorities. Another example "Biri besh bo'ldi" used by Chulpan in his masterpiece "Kecha va Kunduz". The very phraseological unit is used for those who own bright prosperity of something, becomes suddenly rich. Next is "Laylini ko'rish uchun Majnunning ko'zi kerak" [1]. Layli and Majnun are the characters of Alisher Navoi's poem. It is known that Leyla was a pretty girl. The person who saw her could not see her beauty. Therefore, in this proverb, these names are used symbolically in order to feel the beauty of the heart [3].
7. Phraseological units associated with the legends
"To cut the Gordian knot" means to deal with a difficult problem in a strong, simple and effective way in English. Next is "Halcyon days" which means calm, peaceful days, quiet time. According to ancient traditional legends, halcyon -Kingfisher, brings chickens in the nest, floating in the sea during the winter solstice, and at this time, about two weeks, the sea is quite calm. "A Trojan horse" is used for a disguised means of introducing something harmful or disadvantageous. In Uzbek language, "Ayamajuz olti kun, qahri kelsa qattiq kun" phraseological unit is widely used. Ayamajuz is the name of a character in folk myths. According to the myths, the phenomenon of seasons change in nature is expressed in the primitive thought of the people by this image. He had ninety sons, and every one of them was assigned to make each day of the winter cold. If it's hot in the winter months, Ayamajuz sends her "colds" a week before Navruz, and says to her sons, "You have not got to come to me one day" [4]. According to Uzbek legends, someone can dislike anyone with/without any deliberate intention. Here they use "Jini suymaydi" for this situation. They consider that any of us has second side of himself who can stand opposite to his/her inner behavior.
8. Phraseological units, reflecting the historical facts
"Saint Bartholomew's Day Massacre" in British English means brutal murder day. According to the history, it was derived from the murder of Huguenots in Paris that began on Aug 24, 1572 on the orders of Charles IX, acting under the influence of his mother Catherine de' Medici. "The curse of Scotland" means nine of diamonds. Historically, the playing card which is similar to the emblem of the Count of Dilprim Steyner who caused hatred in Scotland by his pro-British policy. Another example is "Hobson's choice" which means no choice. It was derived from historical fact of Hobson, liveryman in Cambridge (XVI century), which required his customers to purchase only the horse closest to the exit door. For Uzbek language "Bo'ji keldi, Bo'ji keldi, Chingiz bilan Jo'ji keldi" [1]. is an idiom reflects historical fact. There are three historical names in this proverb: Bo'ji, Chingiz, and Jo'ji. These are the names of Mongol invaders, the sons of Chengizkhan. The purpose of mentioning these names in this proverb is to show the Mongol invasion in our long history. The people were afraid of their arrival and felt that they would be destroyed. In this regard, these names have been part of the folk proverbs and used in indirect meaning. According to the tradition of the Uzbek people, this proverb was used to intimidate the child if the child was not obeying their parents [2]. Another Uzbek example is "Tuyani ko'rib, Turanni ko'zla". In this example the word Turan shows historical name of Uzbekistan.
So, in this article we attempted to reveal the classification of English and Uzbek phraseological units according to their culture-transmission peculiarities. However, there are other subgroups of classification including Biblicisms, Shakespearisms, etymology-based phraseological units in English, the phraseological units that come with the names of the prophets, the phraseological units with the names of sacred place in Uzbek are also worth studying. Historical facts, social and political aspects, traditions, customs, and cultural values can all be found in phraseology, and they all produce similar thematic domains in languages: environment, economic and social life, feelings, personality traits, ethics, and so on. Phraseological units are based on psychological and linguistic elements that vary between specific and universal, as they have become true cultural icons of the cultures. They are more or less expressive, circulating with lower or higher frequency in the present language. Finally, it is important to keep in mind that phraseological units are both culture and nation relevant linguistic means.
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