PROVERBS – THE MIRROR OF THE PEOPLE’S CULTURE

Abstract

This article examines the semantic and structural features of proverbs — an important genre of folk oral literature — on a scholarly and theoretical basis. It reveals the intrinsic connection between proverbs and the people’s way of thinking, worldview, and ethnoculture. The study also explores the role of proverbs in expressing moral norms, customs, and national mental stereotypes. Drawing on the theories of E. Nida and E. Sapir, the article explains how proverbs reflect a nation’s experience and philosophical reflections. Furthermore, a comparative analysis is provided of Uzbek and Arabic folk proverbs, highlighting their semantic parallels as well as the moral and aesthetic values they contain. The article emphasizes that the historical memory and mental world of each nation are manifested through its proverbs, stressing the need to regard them as a mirror of the people’s spirit.