Linguistic and Cultural Features of Similes Involving Quantity Etalons in Alisher Navoi’s “Farhad And Shirin”

Аннотация

This article examines the linguistic and cultural characteristics of similes in Alisher Navoi’s epic Farhad and Shirin, focusing on the role of quantity etalons. Simile constructions are analyzed from semantic, syntactic, and stylistic perspectives, with emphasis on their sensory-based types (vision, hearing, smell, taste, touch) and the expression of quantity (e.g., “ashkdek,” “bir necha”). Quantity etalons serve to specify volume, number, or degree within similes, enhancing their expressiveness. The study elucidates the interplay between language and culture, underscoring the significance of similes and quantity etalons in linguistic and cultural studies. Keywords: Simile, quantity etalons, linguistic-cultural features, Alisher Navoi, Farhad and Shirin, semantics, stylistics, culture, cognitive linguistics. underscores language’s role in shaping worldview Introduction: In linguistics, similes are pivotal in (Whorf, 1956, p. 134). revealing the expressive and aesthetic potential of language, reflecting national worldviews and cultural In cognitive linguistics, Lakoff and Johnson interpret values (Humboldt, 1984). Alisher Navoi’s Farhad and similes and metaphors as cognitive processes, Shirin, part of his Khamsa collection, serves as a rich highlighting their static and dynamic nature (Lakoff & source for analyzing the linguistic and cultural Johnson, 1980, p. 5). MacArthur distinguishes between dimensions of similes and their use of quantity etalons. direct (e.g., “she is as beautiful as a flower”) and This study aims to classify the similes in Farhad and indirect similes (e.g., “our relationship is as complex as Shirin, identify the role of quantity etalons, and a journey”) from a pragmatic perspective (MacArthur, highlight their significance in linguistic and cultural 2005, p. 234). Surovtsev and Syrov (2015) emphasize contexts. Its scholarly importance lies in uncovering the the cognitive role of metaphors in cultural production expressive capabilities of the Uzbek language, analyzing (p. 130). Eastern literary traditions, and exploring the cognitive In Uzbek linguistics, similes have been explored by role of similes and quantity etalons. Kongurov (1987), Mukarramov (1976), and Theoretical Framework Xudoyberganova (1989). Kongurov analyzes their syntactic and stylistic features (Kongurov, 1977, p. 45), Similes, as figurative devices, are extensively studied in Mukarramov examines morphological aspects linguistics for their role in metaphorical expression. (Mukarramov, 1976, p. 88), and Xudoyberganova Aristotle defined similes as “comparing one thing to focuses on semantic and stylistic dimensions another through likeness” (Aristotle, 2004, p. 1356b). (Xudoyberganova, 1989, p. 127). Humboldt viewed language as an expression of national identity, emphasizing its cultural context The concept of quantity is central to similes, specifying (Humboldt, 1984, p. 67). The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis volume, number, or degree. The Uzbek term “miqdor” American Journal Of Philological Sciences 95 https://theusajournals.com/index.php/ajps American Journal Of Philological Sciences (ISSN – 2771-2273) derives from the Arabic “رْدَق” (qadr), meaning volume but significant quantity, while “achchiqqa-achchiq” or number (Wiktionary, 2023). In Uzbek, “miqdor” is (bitterly bitter) emphasizes repetitive intensity (Rundell defined as “the amount or number of measurable or & Fox, 2007, p. 1422). countable entities” (Hojiyev et al., 2001, p. 336). In 6. Touch-Based Simile English, “quantity” is a formal term used with both Ichinda sham o‘tluq joni ma’yus, countable and uncountable nouns (Cambridge Dictionary, 2023). Teri birla so‘ngok andoqki fonus (Navoiy, 1987, p. 202). METHODOLOGY “Teri birla so‘ngok” (skin and bone like a lantern) conveys a small volume, symbolizing fading hope The study employs semantic, syntactic, and stylistic (Elzinga, 2005, p. 757). analysis to examine similes in Farhad and Shirin. Sensory-based similes are classified, and quantity Additional Similes and Quantity Etalons etalons (e.g., “ashkdek,” “bir necha”) are analyzed Example 1: within their linguistic and cultural contexts. Data were Navoiy, xomadek tortib uzun til, sourced from Navoi’s 1987 and 2020 editions. Ne dersen, oxir o‘z haddingni bilgil (Navoiy, 1987, p. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 98). 1. Sensory-Based Similes and Quantity Etalons “Xomadek” (like a pen) symbolizes creativity, with Similes in Farhad and Shirin are grounded in the five “uzun til” (long tongue) indicating an expansive senses (vision, hearing, smell, taste, touch), with quantity of speech (Shomaqsudov et al., 1983, p. 248). quantity etalons enhancing their precision. Example 2: 2. Vision-Based Simile Muanbar zulfidek kam soya bo‘lg‘ay (Navoiy, 1987, p. Alarg‘a oshkoro-yu nihoni, 132). Ko‘z ichra ashkdek asratqil oni (Navoiy, 1987, p. 124). “Zulfidek” (like hair) reflects delicacy, and “kam soya” The term “ashkdek” (like tears) denotes the small (little shadow) denotes a minimal quantit