Seminar Proverbs and sayings as culturally marked units

Quran. However, it is worth mentioning that the biblical proverbs in English and Russian are mostly direct quotations from the Bible, whereas Uzbek proverbs are not word by word citations from the Quran: тавба қилганни, эл кечирар; дуо ол, дуо олтин эмасми; садақа балони ер, тавба гуноҳни; ота-онасини танимаган, тангрини танимас; ҳалол иш – лаззатли емиш; ҳалол ишла, ҳалол тишла; ҳалол меҳнат ерда қолмас; ҳалол пишиб чиқар, ҳаром тешиб чиқар; ҳаромдан келган ҳаромга кетар; ҳаром молнинг баракаси йўқ. This can be explained by the two facts: first – the Quran has been translated into Uzbek only in the end of XXth century, and second – Muslims learn surahs (verses from the Quran) in Arabic.
It should be noted that many proverbs of different nations being equivalent in their contents, convey quite different images to express the same ideas. For example, the Uzbek proverb “Бир қозонда икки қўчқорнинг боши қайнамас” reflects the mode of life of Uzbek cattle-breeders, using the image of ram that is a symbol of power. In the equivalent Russian proverb the image of bear is used: “Два медведя в одной берлоге не уживутся”. This image, being widely used in Russian folklore, sayings, fairy-tales and songs has become a prototype of Russian people.
In the Russian proverb “Волков бояться в лес не ходить” the lexemes “волк” (wolf) and “лес” (forest) are used. In the Uzbek proverb expressing the same idea “Чумчуқдан қўрққан тариқ емас” the lexemes “чумчуқ” (sparrow) and “тариқ” (millet) are used. In these examples, we observe the similar from the semantic point of view proverbs, which, however, are built on quite different images. This phenomenon can be explained by different geographical positions Russia and Uzbekistan occupy. Vast territories of Russia are covered with woods inhabited by wolves. Whereas the territory of Uzbekistan consists of valleys, mountains, where wolves are not so numerous. In the following Russian proverb the image of wolf appears again: С волками жить – по волчьи выть. English people have an equivalent: Who keeps company with the wolf will learn to howl. However, in Uzbek, a proverb conveying the same idea is expressed with the help of another image: “Қўшнинг кўр бўлса, кузингни қис”, meaning word for word “If your neighbor is blind, you should also winkle”. The image of “neighbor” in the proverb reflects cultural traditions of “mahalla” – “city neighborhood” that goes back to the 9th century. At that time, many members of “mahalla” specialized in specific trades such as metalworking, music, or food production. Later, mahallas have become local autonomous institutions monitoring different social events and services for community residents. Members of “mahalla” help each other in social rituals and events, family affairs, financial matters; gather together to talk, discuss news, to have traditional Uzbek “pilaf” and drink green tea. Such joint activities promote friendship and solidarity, and sustain community life. That is why, good relationships with neighbours are considered to be a great fortune. And that is the reason, why in many Uzbek proverbs the idea of community and neighborhood found its reflection: Авлиё ҳам қўшнисини қўллар; Қўшнинг ёмон бўлса, ёмонлик келар, қўшнинг яхши бўлса – омонлик; Қўшни келди – кўмак келди; Қўшнида пишар, бизга ҳам тушар;