A Linguacultural Analysis of Wedding Traditions and Marriage in Kazakh, English, and Chinese Paremiology

Abstract

Paremiology is a branch of linguistics that studies proverbs and idioms, with their structural, semantic and pragmatic features. The purpose of the study was to distinguish ethnocultural and linguo-cognitive features inherent in Paremiology. For this purpose, the study analyzed family traditions related to weddings in Kazakh, English and Chinese Paremiology from a linguacultural perspective. The study used comparative-historical, componential, descriptive and contextual analysis methods to understand the contrastive analysis of lexical, semantic and cultural content of proverbs in Kazakh, English and Chinese. A total of 672 proverbs and sayings related to the wedding in the Kazakh (231), English (203) and Chinese (238) were examined. These proverbs were extracted from dictionaries, reference books, linguistic and ethnographic works, and scientific research studies on wedding traditions. The results of the study clarified that traditional weddings are not only a social phenomenon in Kazakh, English and Chinese cultures, but also have a deep cognitive, cultural, ethical and religious meaning. Proverbs and sayings related to weddings in three different cultures share common ethnocultural values and specific traits. Each of them reflects the worldview and lifestyle of its people. The results of the study will help to improve intercultural communication and assist foreign language learners understand national cultural features and the the deep layers of community's worldview and culture of a particular ethnic group.