Semantic Features of the English and Chuvash Proverbial Codes

 

Tatyana A. Soldatkina¹*, Alyona M. Ivanova², Svetlana L. Yakovleva³, Ksenia Yu Vavilova⁴, Andrey V. Rychkov⁵, Natalia V. Bogdanova⁶

¹ Assoc. Prof., Mari State University, RUSSIA, fia.solta@gmail.com

² Prof. Dr., Chuvash State University, RUSSIA, amivano@rambler.ru

³ Assoc. Prof., Mari State University, RUSSIA, zavkaf1@gmail.com

⁴ Assoc. Prof., Mari State University, RUSSIA, vuk_2004@mail.ru

⁵ Assoc. Prof., Mari State University, RUSSIA, rychkovandre@yandex.ru

⁶ Senior Lect., Mari State University, RUSSIA, natali100879@mail.ru

*Corresponding Author

 

Abstract

This study was conducted in the framework of several sciences, namely cognitive linguistics, ethnolinguistics, linguistic and cultural studies. Images of artifacts are widely represented in the proverbial code of the English and Chuvash languages under study. In the course of studies the following results have been obtained in the framework of the sub-codes. Firstly, the names of the house components have great communicative and expressive importance. Thus, a house stands for the residence, a place of comfort, family, household, royal dynasty. The window is the description for supernatural things and danger. The door and windows symbolize the transition to another world, security, and the threshold of the house. The roof is the highest point, limit. Secondly, the images of the household items are considered in figurative (symbolic) meanings to express the experience of a certain cultural community. Most of them have a positive connotation. According to the results of our survey, the linguistic embodiment of the household items is represented in the following way: a pot and a bowl stand for valuable things; a bowl symbolizes the fullness, the presence of something; the spoon is associated with ease and luck; the scales are the symbol of equality; a candle is a connection with another world and something divine, while a table is a place for discussions, meetings, and a symbol of community. Thirdly, the sub-code Tools is represented by such objects as a steam engine, plough, plow, rake, millstone, axe and hammer. The images of these objects are represented in the languages in the form of different meanings, namely engine as a symbol of strength, energy; plow and plough as symbols of peaceful life, hard work, and even well-being (in the Chuvash language). Denotative properties of the rake return us to the past. The millstone stands for the burden, severity in both linguistic cultures. An axe is perceived as an object of cruelty and harsh measures. At the same time it is the main indicator of the man’s skills for the Chuvash.

Keywords: Linguistic and cultural code, idioms, the English language, the Chuvash language