Pragmatic characteristics of nationally specific phraseology in english and uzbek languages

Ключевые слова: фразеологизмы, фразеологический глагол, лингвокультурология, лингвокультурная специфика, лексико-стилистические представления, феномены, лингвокультурная концепция.
Key words: phraseological units, phrasel verb, linguoculturology, linguocultural specifics, lexico-stylistic representations, phenomena, linguocultural concept.

It is widely acknowledged that recent studies in the field of linguistics have been conducted within the framework of anthropocentric paradigm, which is the model for scientific researches and studies in modern trends of linguistics such as cognitive linguistics, text linguistics, corpus linguistics, linguopragmatics, linguoculturology, sociolinguistics and others. Possessing an interdisciplinary character, linguoculturology studies the relationships between language and culture. Phraseological units are regarded as exceptionally relevant means of linguistic representation of national-cultural connotations in the language.

Our research findings show that phraseological units have been studied from different viewpoints: semantic, structural, stylistic, cognitive, cultural and functional. The culturally specific approach to the study of phraseological units puts forward the question of revealing the potential of phraseological units to represent cultural information. At this point, it should be highlighted that functions of phraseological units, particularly pragmatic function of phraseological units, play an important role in presenting national-cultural specificities of a nation. In our opinion, the pragmatic functions of phraseological units should be analyzed so that we can get a clear picture of the linguocultural potential of phraseological units.

In our view, comparing the nationally specific features of the phraseological units it is important to start with consideration of their functions in speech. A.V. Kunin (1996) identifies the following functions of phraseological units: communicative, nominative, pragmatic and cognitive. The communicative function of phraseological units is their ability to serve as communicative or message means while the nominative function of phrases refers to their relation to objects of the real world. As Mikhailova N. (2008) points out, The cognitive function simply refers to socially-determined reflection of objects of the real world mediated by consciousness. Kondakov N. (1975) states that: “the process of cognition also includes such forms of cognitive activity, as foresight, fantasy, imagination, dream, intuition...”

Here we will deal with the thorough analysis of pragmatic functions of phraseological units as cultural connotation bearers. For example, the phraseological unit “to carry coal to Newcastle” refers to doing a pointless activity. Newcastle in England was the UK’s first coal exporting port and has been well-known as a coal-mining centre since the Middle Ages and it is already plenty of coal which means there is no point in carrying coal there This unit focuses on the value of doing some action.

In another example the phrase “A kiss of Judas” is used to express the betrayal of a friend. Judas was one of the friends of Jesus, but he identified Jesus to the soldiers by means of a kiss. Now, it is presumed that a Judas kiss is known as the Betrayal of Christ. This phrase reveals information on religion and history. Another culturally specific phrase is “Queen Anne is dead” which is used to define information which is quite old and is no news anymore. This unit is used as a reply to telling some story which has already been known. It has connotation linked with the history of England.

The phrase “Poor as Lazarus” is used about a person who is extremely poor and hungry and even cannot stand of weakness, but this is the person who is innocent and pure. This phraseological unit is based on the parable called “The rich man and Lazarus”. The phrase “A labor of Hercules” is used when a person is given a very difficult task to do. This is based on the legend connected with Hercules who became immortal after doing twelve demanding tasks. When you are given a complicated or challenging task, you can tell that you should do a labor of Hercules.

The phraseological units discussed above have pragmatic potential to influence people and bear some national-cultural information on western culture in general and British culture in particular. Through the use of these phrases in communication, people are able to make their speech influential, successful and pragmatic. At the same time, these units bear some cultural information, activating certain knowledge structures in people’s mind. More particularly, these phrases, as discussed above, can reflect the history, tradition, customs, religion or legends of the British culture.

A number of examples of culture specific phrases can be found in Uzbek as well. It is important to consider them at this point: the phrase “Berdi”sini aytguncha, urib bo`ldiradilar” is used for people who make decisions hurriedly without listening to the words till the end. This phraseological unit is based on true story happened with Mashrab who is a Muslim holy man, philosopher and writer. This phrase disapproves haste and urgency.

The phrase “Daqqi Yonus (Yunus) dan qolgan eski narsa (gap) ku” is derived from an event connected withYunus who was the ruler lived in B.C and used for things or situations that are really historical or took place very long time ago. Another culture specific unit “Echkining oti Abdukarim” is used for describing people who do their work dishonestly or based on a lie.

In the Uzbek language “Xizrni yo’qlasak bo’lar ekan!” is used when you are speaking about somebody who appears at that moment. Xizr is the name of the saint in the Muslim religion, and the phrase is used because it is believed that if somebody sees Xizr, he or she will have good luck. The phrase “Sulaymon o`ldi, devlar qutildi” is widely used in Uzbek and it refers to situation when people do whatever they want if there is no master or superviser around. The phrase “To’rt tomoning qibla” is used to express the idea that he or she is free where to go or for expelling somebody. In Islamic tradition “qibla” is the pole where the sun sets and it is considered as a holy side where the Muslim look at when they pray and their pray is received by God.

The above examples demonstrate that the cultural heritage of a nation can often be retrieved from the phraseological units, proverbs and sayings which find no analogy in other languages. Specifically, such phraseological units are mainly related with history, religion, literature, tradition which are main components of any culture.

To conclude, the following implications can be drawn as a result of our investigation:

a) the phraseological units can be regarded as important means of linguistic representation of nationally specific information;

b) the phraseological units analysed in this article reveal universal human values, such as strivings for freedom, good luck and disapprove dishonesty, lie, betrayal, while welcome such values as loyalty, innocence, hard work and friendliness. At the same time, we can find specific phraseologisms reflecting unique representations and imagery related to the specific national world picture.

References:

1. Кунин А.В. Курс фразеологии современного английского языка: Учеб.для ин-тов и фак. иностр. яз. 2-е изд., перераб. М.: Высшая школа, Дубна: Изд. Центр «Феникс», 1996.

2. Кондаков Н.И. Логический словарь-справочник/ Отв. ред. Д.П. Горский. М. 1975.

3. Mikhailova N.V. English phraseological units and their functions.Arkhangelsk, Russia, 2008.