American Journal Of Philological Sciences
78
https://theusajournals.com/index.php/ajps
VOLUME
Vol.05 Issue07 2025
PAGE NO.
78-83
10.37547/ajps/Volume05Issue07-20
Contextual Functions of Paremiological Units in
Discourse
Shakhzada Saymanova
Doctoral student of Karakalpak State University, Uzbekistan
Received:
27 May 2025;
Accepted:
23 June 2025;
Published:
25 July 2025
Abstract:
In this article, we will determine the contextual flexibility, semantic multi-layeredness, and
communicative-discursive modification of proverbs and sayings, which are paremiological units in the English and
Karakalpak languages, in various discourse genres. Through the research, it is analyzed how proverbs acquire new
semantic meaning and content in the context, undergo stylistic changes, and appear in a new axiological content.
Keywords
: Paremiology, contextual function, discourse, proverbs and sayings, metaphor, linguoculturological,
tropes, stylistic figures.
Introduction:
Proverbs, despite being a small genre
within oral folk art, encompass all spheres of our life in
their content. It is the spiritual treasure of the people.
Proverbs and sayings serve to enhance the spiritual
strength of our people, to give a new look at our
customs, traditions, and national values, and to
educate the younger generation as devoted children of
the nation. Therefore, their comprehensive study is
considered one of the most important issues of science.
In this regard, as Professor Sh.Abdinazimov noted,
folklore, including proverbs and sayings, has been
widely studied by literary scholars. However, the issue
of studying folklore works, which are an inexhaustible
treasure that provides rich material for the history of
the Karakalpak language, in linguofolkloristic,
linguopoetic, and linguocultural aspects is one of the
lagging areas of Karakalpak linguistics.
The study of the linguistic features of folklore works in
Karakalpak linguistics still requires a lot of research.
Therefore, in this work, we study the language of
proverbs.
The writer or speaker widely uses the artistic means of
language to ensure the conciseness, artistic and
figurative nature of the thought that is intended to be
expressed in writing and speech. Especially in a poetic
work, through language, the poet conveys his intended
thought to the reader figuratively, concisely, and
clearly, without prolonging the sentences to artistically
illuminate a certain event, phenomenon, object, or its
characteristic depicted in the work, but by using words
figuratively, he achieves a concise and effective
conveyance of that thought. Language tools in such a
service are called figurative or artistic tools in
linguistics. They serve the imagery of language.
Descriptive means in language are divided into two
large groups.
1. Tropes.
2. Stylistic figures.
Tropes are of great importance in language and literary
works. The imagery and expressiveness of the language
of any work depend on the skillful and appropriate use
of these tropes and their types. The main function of
the trope is to ensure the imagery of the language.
There are several types of tropes, including epithet,
simile, metaphor, metonymy, synecdoche, irony,
allegory, personification, periphrasis, and others.
In the language of a literary work, including the
language of a poetic work, one of the most productive
types of tropes is metaphor, metonymy, synecdoche.
Through metaphor, metonymy, synecdoche, an object
or phenomenon is compared with each other, and one
of them is determined and explained by analogy with
the other.
Based on some similarity of two objects or phenomena,
it is a metaphor to connect a characteristic belonging to
American Journal Of Philological Sciences
79
https://theusajournals.com/index.php/ajps
American Journal Of Philological Sciences (ISSN
–
2771-2273)
one of them with another object in a figurative sense,
and in this respect, it is very similar to the comparison,
close, but in the comparison it is said that the second
word series indicating the object, action, and what it is
compared to, in the metaphor only the second one,
that is, what it is compared to, is shown. In this respect,
imagery in metaphors is strong.
Tropes are the general name of words used figuratively,
and in order to create imagery, the transfer of the
name, sign, action of a certain thing or action in a work
of art to another, comparison, analogy, in general, the
use of words in a figurative sense for a certain purpose
is called a trop.
A.Bekbergenov writes about tropes: "The use of a word
in some contexts in a figurative sense different from its
main direct meaning, performing the function of
various artistic means, is called a trop," while
E.Berdimuratov writes: "To enhance the artistic value,
imagery, expressiveness of a literary work, the transfer
of the name of one thing to another or the use of the
word for this purpose in a general, figurative sense is
called a trop" .
The following analytical examples were selected from
various reliable sources - collections of folk proverbs,
modern mass media, social networks, literary texts, and
political speech corpora. English proverbs are based on
the Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs (Speake, 2015), and
Karakalpak proverbs are taken from the research works
of B.T. Yusupova (2021) and G.K. Kdirbaeva (2023), as
well as from the list of proverbs in volumes 88-100 of
Karakalpak folklore. Each narrative was selected and
analyzed based on a typical situation or stylistic-
functional transformation used in a real discourse
context.
In the following table, proverbs in English and
Karakalpak are analyzed based on contextual and
discursive functions. Each article provides a contextual
example and a methodological-axiological explanation.
The selection of examples was based on the following
methodological and scientific principles:
1) Semantic multi-layeredness: proverbs operate
simultaneously in several semantic fields (moral,
aesthetic, social);
2) Discourse flexibility: proverbs can perform new
functions in various genres (artistic, political, media
discourse);
3) Pragmatic function: proverbs were selected for
illocutionary purposes, such as warning, evaluation,
ironic speech, promotion;
4) Axiological content: in each proverb, the attitude
towards social values, mentality, or stereotypes was
taken into account;
5) Linguocultural harmony: proverbs express values,
images, and concepts characteristic of two language
cultures;
6) Comparative content: English and Karakalpak
proverbs were selected on a comparative basis,
functionally or figuratively.
For example, the English proverb "A little knowledge is
a dangerous thing," depending on its context, can be
used in the sense of warning, critical opinion, even
ironic speech. In scientific discourse, it informs about
the danger of a conclusion based on non-
argumentative or unreliable information. In social
network discourse, ironic speech is used in the context
of naming, mocking certain "interested people."
In the Karakalpak language, "Bolar bala bes jasınan
belgili" - That is, a person with strength or a capable,
capable person finds an opportunity to solve the
problem regardless of the situation. In journalism, it
means describing a person with political power, and in
artistic discourse, this proverb means a strong
emotional assessment of a characteristic image.
In the interdiscursive context, the proverb "The
squeaky wheel gets the grease" means that the person
who actively expresses dissatisfaction in business and
political discourse has an advantage in solving the
problem.
In
the
Karakalpak
language,
the
corresponding proverb "Even if the mouth is crooked,
let the rich man's child speak" is used, which means
discontent and injustice in this context.
3.1-table
Functional features of proverbs in English discourse
№
English proverb
Context
(discourse type)
Function/Description
American Journal Of Philological Sciences
80
https://theusajournals.com/index.php/ajps
American Journal Of Philological Sciences (ISSN
–
2771-2273)
1
Actions speak louder than
words.
Political discourse Practice is more important
than words. Reducing
rhetoric.
2
Don't judge a book by its
cover.
Media discourse
Against evaluation based
on appearance. Empathy
3
Easy come, easy go.
Social media
Criticizing those who value
money and luck.
4
Every cloud has a silver
lining.
Motivational text
Optimistic connotation.
Stylistically strong
expression.
5
Money doesn’t grow on
trees.
Parental advice
Formation of educational
and economic
consciousness.
6
Better late than never.
Bureaucratic
discourse
Pragmatic choice from an
unbiased perspective.
7
The grass is always
greener on the other side.
Internet memes
Feeling, criticism, and
unsatisfactory characters.
8
A stitch in time saves
nine.
Accounting/corpo
rate relations
The advantages of fast
movement. Strategic
advice.
9
You can’t have your cake
and eat it too.
Political discourse Criticism of hypocrisy.
Expressive evaluation
10
When in Rome, do as the
Romans do.
Global culture
Call for cultural adaptation.
Proverbs, analyzed as a general analytical conclusion
based on English proverbs, actively participate in
discourse by adapting them to their semantic and
pragmatic functions in various oral speech contexts.
Many of them serve to express emotional-expressive,
evaluative, warning, and cultural values. In political
discourse, proverbs are used as a rhetorical force, and
in social networks, as a means of expressing irony and
sarcasm. A proverb, as a short but complete structure,
is considered important in expressing attitudes towards
various social topics, expressing personal experience or
collective values. They strengthen the semantic
connection between language and culture and serve as
a universal tool in determining pragmatic strategies.
American Journal Of Philological Sciences
81
https://theusajournals.com/index.php/ajps
American Journal Of Philological Sciences (ISSN
–
2771-2273)
3.2-table
Functional features of proverbs in Karakalpak discourse
№
Karakalpak proverb
Context (discourse
type)
Function/Description
1
Bası bar adam basılmaydı.
Politics /
Controversial text
Depicts the image of a
strong person.
2
Aǵası bardıń panası bar, inisi
bardıń tınıshı bar.
Law-discourse
Jámiyetlik hám
ierarxiyanıń áhmiyeti
3
Qızıl júzli jigittiń, qız
qarındası bolmasın
Female-male
stereotype
Defining behavior
based on gender.
4
Maldı tapqanǵa baqtır, otındı
shapqanǵa jaqtır
Motivational
context
Unity of knowledge
and practice.
5
Ata kórgen oq jonar, ene
kórgen ton pisher
Upbringing
discourse
Pay attention to the
role of a father.
Cultural code
6
Terek tamırınan nár aladı
Ecological discourse Criticism of
environmental
devaluation.
8
Qazanshınıń erki bar, qaydan
qulaq shıǵarsa
Freedom
About various
opportunities.
9
Enesi bar kelin qarqaralı
kelin, enesi joq kelin masqara
kelin
National culture
In a cautionary image.
10
Júz somıń bolǵansha, júz
dostıń bolsın
Friendship/social
The value of
relationships.
Proverbs in the Karakalpak language reveal mental
constructions inherent in the consciousness of the
people in the context of discourse. Analysis shows that
these proverbs receive a separate semantic and
axiological load in each socio-cultural situation. They
serve as a verbal expression of existing moral norms,
stereotypes, and values in society. Especially in political
and journalistic discourse, these proverbs are a
necessary tool for social evaluation, expression of a
critical position, and re-actualization of basic concepts
in collective consciousness. At the same time, through
these proverbs, evaluation criteria based on the
experience of the ancient people, life wisdom, and
cultural consciousness are conveyed. In most of them,
emotional-intonational strength and imagery are
strong, which increases the power of communicative
American Journal Of Philological Sciences
82
https://theusajournals.com/index.php/ajps
American Journal Of Philological Sciences (ISSN
–
2771-2273)
influence.
Analytical analysis, showing the contextual functions of
paremiological units in both discourses, shows that in
English and Karakalpak discourses, paremiological units
have different contextual functions, but mutually
compatible features. While English proverbs are used
more as a universal means of communication,
Karakalpak proverbs reflect local cultural codes.
Proverbs in both language discourses:
a) It has an evaluative functional weight - proverbs of
both studied languages serve to assess moral, social,
and aesthetic values. For example, the proverbs
"Honesty is the best policy" (in English) and
“Aǵam
barda, arqam tamda” (in Karakalpak) express moral
ideals;
b) Warning and rhetorical means - the proverbs
"Curiosity killed the cat" (in English) and “Ekkende joq,
tikkende joq, qirmanda tayar”(in Karakalpak) have
emotional-expressive power;
c) Contextual pragmatism - such proverbs as "The
squeaky wheel gets the grease" and “Jılamaǵan balaǵa
emshek qayda?”mean the pragmatics of obtaining
profit through demand and dissatisfaction;
b) Reflecting mentality - proverbs in the Karakalpak
language often express society, nature, and national
values, while English proverbs are based on
individualistic or global positions;
c) Adaptability to discourse - versions of both languages
can easily adapt to political, media discourse,
educational, and social media environments.
This analysis shows that paremiological units are one of
the main elements of intercultural semantic and
pragmatic exchange in the discursive environment.
At the same time, arguments were found for the
opinion of G.K. Kdirbaeva that..."ancient stereotypes,
archetypal images, and values in the consciousness of
the people pass into new semantic connotations in
modern discourse through units of the mythological
conceptosphere,
visible
in
some
proverbs"
,"Paremiological units in the Karakalpak language often
become verbal expressions of group consciousness and
mentality, relying on mythologemes" . Within the
framework of discourse, it has been proven that
proverbs, along with the activation of relics of
mythological
consciousness,
become
necessary
markers of the cultural semiosphere.
Thus, paremiological units in discourse are constantly
subjected to contextual modification, they leave their
original lexico-semantic content and transition to a new
content, adapting to new communicative needs,
stylistic tasks, and axiological situations. A comparative
analysis of English and Karakalpak proverbs shows that
the semantic and pragmatic meaning assigned to each
proverb is determined precisely by the context of oral
speech. At the same time, contextual analysis confirms
the shift of proverbs at the linguosemantic level, the
acquisition of new social significance, and their use as a
communicative strategy.
The structural similarity of English and Karakalpak
proverbs (binary oppositions, metaphorical expression,
axiological evaluation) confirms their function as a
universal means of communication. In both languages,
proverbs allow conveying thoughts figuratively,
concisely, and effectively, which leads to their
widespread use in social discourse. They also serve as
an effective tool in intercultural communication due to
similar conceptual foundations. In particular, units built
on a metaphorical basis - for example, "grass is always
greener... (youth) " and "under a dark cloud" (bad
mood) - universal human emotions and values. These
similarities also reflect the commonality of their
cognitive models.
The cognitive-discursive approach allows us to
reconstruct the semantic map of the people's
consciousness through proverbs, that is, to determine
their internal conceptual structure, a hierarchy of
values, and cultural codes. With the help of such an
approach, the axiological approach reflected in each
proverb, mental stereotypes, and semantic transfers
corresponding to discourse are analyzed. Thus, not only
the language itself is restored, but also the model of
national consciousness and thinking formed through it.
Bilingual proverbs can be successfully used as material
in the educational process (language teaching,
intercultural
communication,
development
of
linguocultural competence). Through these proverbs,
students become acquainted with the value system,
imagery, universality, and models of national thinking
reflected in different cultures, and improve their ability
to use language in the context of discourse.
Proverbs act according to the context in strengthening
values in society, exposing stereotypes, or repeating
them. Their semantic and pragmatic content depends
on the speech situation, and they can serve the
dominant ideologies reflected in public consciousness
or, conversely, be a means of expressing a critical
attitude towards them. Therefore, proverbs appear not
only as an expression of axiological evaluation, but also
as a means of the ideological semiosphere.
These results confirm the need to evaluate proverbs
not only as linguistic units, but also as subjects of
discursive activity. In a discursive environment, they
are actualized in accordance with the context, perform
new semantic functions, and sometimes reinforce
stereotypes or view them from a critical point of view.
American Journal Of Philological Sciences
83
https://theusajournals.com/index.php/ajps
American Journal Of Philological Sciences (ISSN
–
2771-2273)
A comparative study of proverbs in English and
Karakalpak reveals their cultural specificity, their
potential as a universal communicative model, and
what semantic shifts individuality faces in national
consciousness. At the same time, proverbs, ensuring
interdiscursiveness, perform axiological, evaluative,
emotional, stylistic, and communicative functions
simultaneously in different speech environments. Such
complex functional content is the basis for studying
them not only as a linguistic, but also as a semiotic-
cultural object.
REFERENCES
Алимурадов О.А., Милетова Е.В. Метафорические
модели, вербализующиеся с участием имен
прилагательных и реализуемые в современном
англоязычном искусствоведческом дискурсе //
Вопросы когнитивной лингвистики
.
–
2013.
–
№4(037). –
С. 51–
53.
Бердимуратов Е. Әдебий тилдиң функционаллық
стильлериниң раўажланыўы менен қарақалпақ
тили лексикасының раўажланыўы. Нөкис, 1973.
Кдырбаева
Г.К.
Мифологик
концептосфера
бирликлари лисоний воқеланишининг когнитив
-
дискурсив хусусиятлари (инглиз ва қорақалпоқ
тиллари мисолида): дисс. … филол. фан. док. –
Нукус, 2024. –
Б. 133
-137.
Левшикова Е.В., Рахунок А.М. Метафора в
английских пословицах и поговорках // Актуальные
вопросы современных научных исследований. –
Минск,
2021.
–
С. 207–
209.
Козырева О.А. Когнитивные аспекты исследования
лингвокультурологического поля (на материале
поля «дом/жилье»): дис. ... канд. филол. наук. –
Москва, 2003. –
169 с.
Юдина И.Ю. Метафора в английской пословице:
дис. ... канд. филол. наук. –
Орехово
-
Зуево, 2008. –
130 с.
