THE EXPRESSION OF NATIONAL WORLDVIEW AND MENTALITY IN PROVERBS (BASED ON ENGLISH AND UZBEK LANGUAGES)

Abstract

This article examines proverbs as linguocultural units that reflect national worldview, collective thinking patterns, and mentality, based on a comparative analysis of English and Uzbek languages. Proverbs have been formed over centuries and represent a condensed, figurative, and generalized expression of people’s life experience, observations, moral principles, and social values. They function not only as linguistic elements but also as cultural codes that preserve historical memory, lifestyle, traditions, and the spiritual world of a nation. The study explores the semantic and figurative means through which concepts such as diligence, patience, family values, social relations, wisdom, and moral norms are conveyed in the proverbs of both languages. Special attention is given to identifying similarities and differences between English and Uzbek proverbs, their connection with the mental characteristics of native speakers, and the degree to which national character is reflected in them. The comparative analysis reveals both universal and culture-specific features of proverbs, demonstrating that while many life truths are shared across cultures, the ways they are expressed, the imagery employed, and the evaluative perspectives are closely linked to national culture. The findings of the study contribute significantly to linguoculturology, paremiology, and contrastive linguistics, and promote a deeper understanding of intercultural differences and the linguistic worldview embedded in proverbial expressions.