Linguistic analysis and translation issues of proverbs in languages of different systems

Abstract

This study examines the comparative analysis of phraseological units in English and Azerbaijani languages within the context of increasing globalization and intercultural communication. As national cultures transform into subcultures and integration between them expands, understanding the structural-semantic characteristics of phraseological expressions becomes crucial for establishing effective cross-cultural dialogue. The research identifies three distinct categories of English proverbs in relation to their Azerbaijani equivalents: (1) proverbs with complete equivalence in meaning, imagery, and component composition; (2) proverbs with semantic equivalence but differences in imagery or lexical composition; and (3) proverbs without Azerbaijani parallels. This classification reflects how different historical conditions and socio-economic structures influence proverbial systems despite some common funds from classical languages and religious texts. The findings contribute to mapping the world's linguistic landscape, facilitating both the understanding of cultural worldviews and the transmission of cognitive knowledge to future generations. This comparative analysis of phraseological units is particularly significant as it reveals how different national mentalities emerge from diverse worldviews and manifest in the content of phraseologisms.