Xorijiy lingvistika va lingvodidaktika –
Зарубежная лингвистика и
лингводидактика – Foreign
Linguistics and Linguodidactics
Journal home page:
https://inscience.uz/index.php/foreign-linguistics
Stylistic features of proverbs in English and Uzbek related
to knowledge and ignorance: a comparative study
Durdonakhon KODIRALIEVA
1
National University of Uzbekistan named after Mirzo Ulugbek
ARTICLE INFO
ABSTRACT
Article history:
Received March 2025
Received in revised form
10
April 2025
Accepted 2 April 2025
Available online
25 May 2025
Studied the stylistic features of English and Uzbek proverbs
related to themes of knowledge and ignorance. Discovered key
differences in the use of metaphor, tone, structure, and cultural
symbolism. Found that Uzbek proverbs often rely on rhythmic
parallelism, a moralistic tone, and concrete imagery rooted in
community and farming life. Noted that English proverbs are
generally shorter, more metaphorical, and tend to have a
pragmatic or ironic tone, often shaped by philosophical and
individual perspectives. Consider how these stylistic choices
reflect deeper cultural attitudes toward learning, wisdom, and
social norms. Assessed how figurative language and proverb
structure influence memorability and educational purpose.
Regularities include Uzbek emphasis on didactic clarity and the
English preference for abstraction and ambiguity. Highlighted the
importance of cultural context in translating and interpreting
proverbs. These findings contribute to comparative linguistics,
cross-cultural communication, and paremiological studies.
2181-3701/© 2025 in Science LLC.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47689/2181-3701-vol3-iss5
This is an open-access article under the Attribution 4.0 International
(CC BY 4.0) license (
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.ru
Keywords:
stylistic features of
proverbs,
cultural symbolism,
metaphorical structure,
knowledge and ignorance,
comparative paremiology,
linguistic worldview.
Ingliz va o‘zbek tillaridagi bilim va bilimsizlik mavzulariga
oid maqollarning stilistik xususiyatlari: qiyosiy tahlil
ANNOTATSIYA
Kalit so‘zlar:
maqollarning stilistik
xususiyatlari,
madaniy ramzlar,
metaforik tuzilma,
bilim va bilimsizlik,
qiyosiy paremiyologiya,
lingvistik dunyoqarash.
Ushbu maqolada ingliz va o‘zbek tillaridagi bilim va
bilimsizlik mavzulariga oid maqollarning stilistik xususiyatlari
o‘rganildi. Metafora, ohang, tuzilish hamda madaniy
ramzlarning qo‘llanishida asosiy farqlar aniqlangan. Tadqiqot
natijalariga ko‘ra, o‘zbek maqollari ko‘pincha ritmik parallelizm,
axloqiy ohang va jamoaviy hamda dehqonchilik hayotiga xos
aniq tasvirlarga tayanadi. Ingliz maqollari esa, odatda, qisqa,
1
Assistant-teacher, National University of Uzbekistan named after Mirzo Ulugbek. E-mail: dkadir0810@gmail.com
Xorijiy lingvistika va lingvodidaktika – Зарубежная лингвистика
и лингводидактика – Foreign Linguistics and Linguodidactics
Special Issue – 5 (2025) / ISSN 2181-3701
594
metaforik va amaliy yoki kinoyali ohangda bo‘lib, falsafiy va
individuallikka asoslangan qarashlar ta’sirida shakllangan.
Ushbu stilistik tanlovlar madaniyatlararo tafakkurda bilim,
donishmandlik va ijtimoiy qadriyatlarga bo‘lgan munosabatni
qanday aks ettirishini ko‘rsatadi. Maqollarda ishlatilgan badiiy
til vositalari va ularning tuzilishining yodda saqlanishi va
tarbiyaviy funksiyasiga ta’siri baholandi. O‘zbek maqollarida
ochiq-didaktik ifoda ustuvor bo‘lsa, ingliz maqollarida
mavhumlik va ko‘p ma’nolilik kuzatiladi. Maqol tarjimasi va
talqinida madaniy kontekst muhim rol o‘ynashi ta’kidlandi.
Ushbu
tadqiqot
qiyosiy
tilshunoslik,
madaniyatlararo
kommunikatsiya va paremiyologiya fanlariga hissa qo‘shadi.
Стилистические особенности пословиц на английском
и узбекском языках, связанных с темами знания и
незнания: сравнительное исследование
АННОТАЦИЯ
Ключевые слова:
стилистические
особенности пословиц,
культурная символика,
метафорическая
структура,
знание и незнание;
сравнительная
паремиология,
языковая картина мира.
В данной статье исследуются стилистические особенности
английских и узбекских пословиц, связанных с темами
знания и незнания. Определены ключевые различия
в использовании метафор, интонации, структуры и
культурной символики. Установлено, что узбекские
пословицы часто опираются на ритмический параллелизм,
морализаторский тон и конкретные образы, основанные на
коллективной и аграрной жизни. В то время как английские
пословицы, как правило, короче, метафоричнее и обладают
прагматичным или ироничным тоном, формирующимся под
влиянием философского и индивидуалистского мышления.
Рассмотрено, как эти стилистические особенности отражают
более глубокие культурные представления о знании,
мудрости и социальных нормах. Оценено влияние образного
языка и структуры пословиц на их запоминаемость и
дидактическую
функцию.
Регулярности
выражаются
в узбекском предпочтении к ясной дидактике и английской
склонности к абстракции и многозначности. Подчеркивается
важность культурного контекста при переводе и
интерпретации пословиц. Полученные результаты вносят
вклад в сравнительное языкознание, межкультурную
коммуникацию и паремиологические исследования.
INTRODUCTION
Proverbs are a vital element of language and culture, encapsulating centuries of
collective human experience, observation, and moral instruction in a compact and often
poetic form. In both English and Uzbek, proverbs related to knowledge and ignorance
reflect society’s attitudes toward intelligence, learning, wisdom, and their opposites –
ignorance, folly, and superficiality. These proverbs not only offer practical life advice but
also encode cultural ideologies regarding education, social hierarchy, and the role of the
intellect (Mieder, 2004).
Xorijiy lingvistika va lingvodidaktika – Зарубежная лингвистика
и лингводидактика – Foreign Linguistics and Linguodidactics
Special Issue – 5 (2025) / ISSN 2181-3701
595
Despite their shared communicative function, the stylistic expression of proverbs
varies considerably across languages due to differences in linguistic structures and
cultural value systems. While English proverbs tend to be concise, metaphorical, and
often ironic, Uzbek proverbs are more rhythmic, didactic, and image-rich, often reflecting
the agrarian roots of Uzbek society (Karimov, 2010; Qurbonov, 1998). This study aims to
explore the stylistic features of proverbs in both languages related to the theme of
knowledge and ignorance. The goal is to reveal how metaphor, tone, structure, and
cultural reference shape the stylistic expression of these universal concepts.
METHODS
This study follows a descriptive-comparative methodology. A corpus of
30 proverbs (15 in English and 15 in Uzbek) was collected from scholarly sources,
proverb dictionaries, and folklore anthologies (Dundes, 1981; Norrick, 1985). Proverbs
were selected based on their relevance to the themes of knowledge, ignorance, wisdom,
intelligence, and their opposites. The selection ensured balance in terms of function
(praising knowledge vs. criticizing ignorance), frequency of use, and stylistic diversity.
The proverbs were analyzed according to four main stylistic parameters:
Lexical and syntactic structure: length, complexity, rhyme, and rhythm
Figurative language: metaphor, symbolism, and imagery
Tone and voice: didacticism, irony, moralism, or neutrality
Cultural embeddedness: references to societal values, religion, or everyday life
Comparative analysis was carried out by pairing similar or functionally equivalent
proverbs across both languages and analyzing their stylistic divergences and
convergences.
RESULTS
Lexical and Structural Patterns
Uzbek proverbs frequently utilize parallelism, rhyme, and rhythmic balance, often
composed of two clauses illustrating moral contrasts. For example:
Bilim egasi – elga davo, johil egasi – elga balo. (He who possesses knowledge is a
remedy for the people; he who is ignorant is a calamity.) (Karimov, 2010)
This symmetrical structure, marked by rhythmic parallelism, emphasizes a clear
moral dichotomy, underscoring the cultural premium placed on knowledge as a source of
social healing and ignorance as communal harm (Karimov, 2010).
Additional examples such as: Bilimga chanqoq bola, ertaga xalqqa navo. (A child
thirsty for knowledge will be a benefit to the people tomorrow.) (Alimov, 2007) highlight
the typical Uzbek preference for rhythmic and optimistic expressions that link personal
learning to collective wellbeing, embedding education within a communal responsibility
framework (Qurbonov, 1998).
English proverbs, in contrast, tend to be shorter, metaphorical, and elliptical, as
illustrated by:
A little knowledge is a dangerous thing. (Mieder, 2004; Norrick, 1985)
Don’t judge a book by its cover. (Mieder, 2004)
These proverbs rely on brevity and implied meaning, inviting individual reflection
and caution. Their compact syntax and metaphorical density mirror a skeptical and
philosophical cultural outlook on knowledge and judgment (Mieder, 2004; Norrick, 1985).
Another English example: The proof of the pudding is in the eating. (Mieder, 2004)
demonstrates the emphasis on practical knowledge and empirical validation,
reflecting a culture that values experience-based wisdom (Mieder, 2004).
Xorijiy lingvistika va lingvodidaktika – Зарубежная лингвистика
и лингводидактика – Foreign Linguistics and Linguodidactics
Special Issue – 5 (2025) / ISSN 2181-3701
596
Figurative Language and Imagery
Both languages extensively use metaphors of light and darkness to convey
knowledge and ignorance, but with differing cultural and stylistic applications.
Uzbek proverbs often root their metaphors in traditions and agrarian daily life,
enhancing cultural resonance:
Bilim – nur, bilimsizlik – zulmat. (Knowledge is light; ignorance is darkness.)
(Qurbonov, 1998; Alimov, 2007)
This metaphor encapsulates the view of knowledge as divine enlightenment
dispelling the “darkness” of ignorance, a concept deeply embedded in Uzbek culture
(Karimov, 2010).
Similarly, the proverb: Johil kishi haqida gapirmaslik, qalbingni asrashdir. (Not
speaking ill of the ignorant is protecting your heart.) (Alimov, 2007)
reflects a compassionate social ethic towards ignorance, emphasizing tolerance
and emotional wisdom (Karimov, 2010).
English proverbs frequently originate from philosophical, or literary sources and
employ more abstract or ironic metaphors:
The blind leading the blind. (Dundes, 1981)
Empty vessels make the most noise. (Mieder, 2004; Norrick, 1985)
An ironic critique of those who boast without substance, revealing an
individualistic and skeptical attitude toward knowledge (Norrick, 1985).
Curiosity killed the cat. (Mieder, 2004.). A proverb cautioning against excessive
inquisitiveness, often used humorously, highlights cultural ambivalence about the pursuit
of knowledge (Mieder, 2004).
Tone and Moral Function
Uzbek proverbs maintain a predominantly didactic and moralistic tone, explicitly
advising and instructing, often in line with oral pedagogy and social norms: Savodsiz
kishi – savranda yo‘q. (An uneducated person is useless anywhere.) (Karimov, 2010)
This explicit statement links education directly to social agency and respect,
reflecting collectivist ethics where learning is a social obligation (Karimov, 2010).
In contrast, English proverbs exhibit a broader tonal range, from didactic to ironic
and humorous, often using subtle critique:
Empty vessels make the most noise. (Mieder, 2004)
Here, irony is employed to gently mock those lacking true knowledge but speaking
loudly, exemplifying a more individual-centered worldview (Norrick, 1985).
Curiosity killed the cat. (Mieder, 2004)
This humorous warning advises caution in the pursuit of knowledge, revealing
nuanced attitudes toward intellectual curiosity (Mieder, 2004).
Memorability and Stylistic Devices
Uzbek proverbs employ rhyme, alliteration, and parallelism to enhance oral
transmission and memorability. The strong moral dichotomies and vivid, concrete
imagery help embed ethical lessons deeply in the collective memory (Karimov, 2010;
Alimov, 2007).
English proverbs, often lacking rhyme or rhythm, rely on metaphorical brevity and
ambiguity, which encourages flexible interpretation and personal reflection. Their
conciseness facilitates easy quotation and application in various social contexts (Mieder,
2004; Norrick, 1985).
Xorijiy lingvistika va lingvodidaktika – Зарубежная лингвистика
и лингводидактика – Foreign Linguistics and Linguodidactics
Special Issue – 5 (2025) / ISSN 2181-3701
597
DISCUSSION
The comparison between English and Uzbek proverbs reveals significant stylistic
and cultural contrasts, despite similar underlying themes. Uzbek proverbs display a
preference for poetic features – rhyme, repetition, and parallelism – and frequently
utilize tangible, visual metaphors rooted in everyday reality. These features make
proverbs more accessible and memorable in oral culture. The tone is largely instructive
and aligned with collective ethics, where knowledge is seen as a social duty and
ignorance as a communal risk (Karimov, 2010; Alimov, 2007).
In contrast, English proverbs reflect the influence of individualism, literary
tradition, and philosophical skepticism. The stylistic tendency toward brevity,
abstraction, and irony shows that knowledge is treated more as a personal trait and
a subject for critical reflection. The ironic tone in many English proverbs also suggests
a more nuanced or ambivalent attitude toward human wisdom and folly (Mieder, 2004;
Norrick, 1985).
These findings emphasize the importance of culturally grounded stylistic analysis,
especially in the context of proverb translation, language teaching, and cross-cultural
pragmatics. Direct translation of proverbs may fail to preserve stylistic nuances and
cultural resonances, leading to misinterpretation or stylistic loss (Dundes, 1981).
Moreover, these stylistic differences reflect broader educational values: Uzbek
culture promotes respectful obedience to elders and structured learning, while English-
speaking cultures often encourage independent thinking and skepticism, which is subtly
encoded in their proverbial wisdom.
CONCLUSION
Proverbs concerning knowledge and ignorance serve not only as moral tools but
also as stylistic mirrors of their respective cultures. Uzbek proverbs exhibit strong poetic
features and overt moralism, while English proverbs lean toward metaphorical brevity
and subtle philosophical commentary. Understanding these stylistic elements is crucial
for effective translation, linguistic analysis, and intercultural communication.
As global exchange deepens, appreciating the stylistic and cultural richness
embedded in proverbs can enhance mutual understanding and foster respect for
different worldviews encoded in language. This study contributes to comparative
linguistics and paremiology by demonstrating how stylistic features reflect and reinforce
cultural values regarding knowledge and ignorance.
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Dundes, A. (1981). On the Structure of the Proverb. Proverbium, 1, 23–33.
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Mieder, W. (2004). Proverbs: A Handbook. Greenwood Press.
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Norrick, N. R. (1985). How Proverbs Mean: Semantic Studies in English
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Qurbonov, A. (1998). O‘zbek xalq maqollari. Toshkent: O‘zbekiston.
