Philology

S.Z. Ashimkhanova, A.O. Omarova

E.A. Buketov Karaganda State University, Karaganda, Kazakhstan

Peculiarities of the English and Kazakh proverbs with animal image

When we learn a new language the first thing we often what to learn is the proverbs, not only because it is interesting, but also each proverb can create unexpected effect when it is used properly [1, 7]. When talking about the proverbs the first kind of proverbs that occurred to us is that related to the animals. And in Kazakh we also use lots of proverbs that related to animals to describe something, because this kind of proverbs often full of emotional attitude. Animal figure is full of symbolizations and strong characteristics when it is used to describe a person, so people like to describe a man’s quality and disposition by animal proverbs. It may give the listener a kind of impression that you are a speaker who knows the person that you are talking very well. May be the animals in different language mean the same thing, but to large extent, the understanding of the same kind of animal may differ in thousands ways. So understanding the correct meaning of these proverbs is especially important.

Proverbs are always results of social, cultural, historical and political values. Despite the universal features, there still be distinct features that differentiate one culture from another [2, 144]. Therefore, we can say that there are two types of proverbs: those with a common, universal morality, similar in most cultures, if not in the form, at least in the message; and those born from a historical fact, a local custom or a specific event in a particular culture. Proverbs and sayings related to animals in these two languages are different in their cultural connotations. And it causes a lot of difficulties for people from one country to learn the language of the other.

English and Kazakh have different concepts about the world, especially the animal world. Each culture highly values the animals that have more contribution to their life. That is why though two languages have proverbs using the images of dogs, horses, buffaloes; the messages carried are varied through cultures.

The English and Kazakh languages share the same kind of point of view over some of the animal proverbs. During the long history of human life English and Kazakh people may have the same idea of some kind of animals; for example, fox is the most common animal that the English and Kazakh culture share the same view. It is the symbol of duplicity and suspiciousness. So in Kazakh we often use «түлкідей қу, түлкідей айлакер» to describe a man who is cunning as well as clever, as in the traditional English history fox spirit symbolizing hypocrisy, e.g. Don’t set the fox to keep your geese. - Түлкіге қаз бақтырма [3, 21].

Also we use «кәрі қу түлкі» to describe some bully people by flaunting by other people’s power. And in the English language, the same kind of usage can also be seen, as we often say “he’s a sly old fox” and the proverbs «when the fox preaches, take care of your geese. – «Түлкі Құран оқығанда тауығыңды тық, Түлкі қайырымдылықты айтып қақсай берсе, қазыңа сақ бол».

Another kind of animal that we share the same view point is rat. Rat is a kind of animal that can be seen in every part of the world. They lead a dirty life and cowardice is their instinct so it is no wonder to hear «Суға батып бара жатқан кемеден көртышқан да қашады» [4, 34] in our Kazakh Language. And for the English people they often use rat to indicate someone who is not loyal. And ‘A rat leaving a sinking ship’ is used to say someone who cannot share adversity with.

Also the English and Kazakh languages share the same kind of point of view over the proverbs with zoonym of bee. In all three languages the bee is a universal symbol of industriousness and organization. The bee also considered to be a good symbol, is an exemplar of hard work. Among qualities attributed to the bee diligence, tireless work and chastity. For instance, As busy as a bee. - Арадай еңбекқор. A busy bee has no time for sorrow. - Шебер қол шет қалмайды. No bees, no honey. - Мал баққанға бітеді [3, 49].

The ass has also been considered a symbol of stubbornness, and in other circles a symbol of patience and folly in the English and Kazakh languages. The “patience” symbolism is possibly due to the fact that it can carry a heavy load. Jest with ass and he will flap you in the face with his tail. - Сиыр сипағанды білмейді, сұм сыйлығанды білмейді. If the ass (donkey) bray at you, don’t bray at him. - Кесірлімен керіспе, керме иықпен егеспе. All asses wag their ears. - Үндемегеннің бәрі данышпан емес. «Есек құлағының ұзындығына мақтанар, есалаң бетінің қызылдығына мақтанар» [3, 55].

We share completely different idea on the same kind of animal. And maybe this mainly cause by the culture back ground and their living habits. Their brilliant traditional culture variation may also play an important role in forming their point of view. Also way of taste of beauty, and different culture is considered to be a significant factor. And here is the example; the first kind of animal is dog.

Dog is a kind of animal that accompany us though the human history. English people think that dog is a kind of animal that stands for loyalty. In the English culture, dogs help human beings lots of work. They watch the houses, keep farm animals like sheep, goats and help hunting wild animals. Therefore, dogs are highly valued and are considered human’s best friend. There are many proverbs showing the importance of dogs such as: love me love my dog, every dog has its day: everyone can be successful at something at some time in their life, a man's best friend is his dog [5, 152].

The culture differences of these two countries may create great obstacles when we are doing translation. Because considering the same kind of living things we have different points of view to accept it. For example, we all know that sheep is the common animal of Kazakh culture, it represent a calm man, and is used to describe a peaceful man, a man is considered to be cruel if beats the sheep because breeding sheep is productive, we Kazakh often say: Қой аузынан шөп алмас, Қойды соққан оңбаған, Мал өсірсең қой өсір, өнімі оның көл-көсір [6, 12].

But in the English language sheep is a not a good symbol. We know that sheep stands for the negative characteristics e.g. One scabbed sheep will mar a whole flock, and what is more, sometime they use sheep to indicate the defects e.g. Every family has a black sheep.

For these differences we should pay special attention to proverbs, and shouldn’t take animal proverbs just for granted. And we want to list some reasons for the variations.

Teaching and learning a language are teaching and learning a culture. These two elements cannot be separated. By teaching the proverbs, English teachers can help their student to penetrate to English culture excitingly and interestingly. Moreover, English language learners, often struggling with a limited vocabulary, find these memorable proverbs easy to learn and fun to use. Learning proverbs helps students to remember the structures and vocabularies carried in the proverbs easily.

Biblioghraphy

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