TYPOLOGY OF PROVERBS WITH NUMERICAL COMPONENTS IN THE FRENCH AND GERMAN LANGUAGES

Аннотация

This article investigates the typology of proverbs containing numerical elements in the French and German languages. It demonstrates that numbers in such proverbs function not only as quantitative markers but also as symbolic, axiological, and cognitive-semantic units. French proverbs draw on Catholic traditions and rich metaphorical imagery, whereas German proverbs reflect moral order, social hierarchy, and practical reasoning. The study shows how numerical proverbs encode collective consciousness, cultural norms, and nation-specific patterns ofthought through structured linguisticmodels. Keywords: French, German, proverb typology, numerical component, cognitive model, axiological meaning, numbersymbolism, national mindset,paremiology Introduction. Proverbs containing numerical elements constitute a distinct stratum within the paremiological system of both French and German. In these sayings, numerals transcend their pragmatic counting function to carry symbolic, axiological (value-laden), and cognitive meanings. Through these numerals, cultural codes, cognitive stereotypes, and linguistic norms are transmitted. This article aims to compare the typological features of numerical proverbs across French and German, unveiling how each reflects its respective national mentality and collectivememory. Numerical Proverbs inFrench The French paremiological tradition is marked by historical stratification, socio-cultural foundations, and a high level of imagery. Particularly noteworthy is the layer of proverbs with numerical components. Historically, French numerals have borne not only pragmatic functions butalso semantic charges tied to Catholicrites, religious symbolism, and aristocraticconceptual models.For example:  troissymbolizes theHoly Trinity (laSainte-Trinité),  sept theseven deadly sins (septpéchéscapitaux),  quarante denotes periods of salvation, trial, orpurification. In modern French paremiology, numerical elements often serve evaluative, generalizing, or cautionary communicative functions. The structure of these proverbs relies upon distinct lexico-syntactic templates with traditional rhythmic patterns that enhance fixity of expression. Numerals commonly serve as:  Subject orobject,as inUn hommeaverti en vaut deux(“Awarned man is worth two”);  Evaluative intensifier, as in Il ne faut pas mettre la charrue avant les deux bœufs (“One mustnot put thecart before thetwo oxen”);  Contextual emphasis, as in Se casser la tête en quatre (“To break one’s head into four”—i.e. to overthink something). 3 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE ISSN:2692-5206,ImpactFactor:12,23 AmericanAcademicpublishers,volume05,issue08,2025 Journal: https://www.academicpublishers.org/journals/index.php/ijai These proverbs exemplify cognitive models in which numbers help structure perception: abstract concepts are tied to vivid imagery, and human experience is generalized. For instance, Deux poids, deux mesures (“Two weights, two measures”) reflects a cognitive model of dissonanceand injustice. In analyzing such proverbs, it is essential to employ not only grammatical–semantic tools, but also cultural and psycholinguistic approaches, since these sayings embody collective consciousness, mental templates, and historical memory. They convey French attitudes toward morality, society, and behavior viasymbolic numerals rather than mere quantification. In French paremiology, numbers function as semanticimages that reflect mental concepts. They express axiological evaluation, notions of order, symbolic contrasts, and cultural meanings. Examples include: Trois femmes et un canard font un marché (“Three women and one duck make a marketplace”)—here trois symbolizes social activity, noise, and multiplicity, creating semantic tensionbetween unand trois (order vs. chaos). Il faut être deux pour danser le tango (“It takes two to tango”)—deux symbolizes interaction, cooperation,and equilibrium. Cent moutons suivent un bélier (“A hundred sheep follow one ram”)—cent represents the masses, untheleader, illustrating social hierarchy and passivemajority. Un tiens vaut mieux que deux tu l’auras (“A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush”)—un stands forthereal and tangible, whiledeux is uncertain andhypothetical. Sept têtes, pas de cerveau (“Seven heads, but no brains”)—sept acquires an archetypal meaning, but carries a negativeevaluation. Quarante jours de pluie font le printemps (“Forty days of rain make spring”)—quarante symbolizes cleansing, transition, and renewal, drawing from Catholic traditions and a mindset ofpatience and spiritual maturation. These illustrations highlight that French numerical proverbs possess multi-layered semantic structures that reflect national values, norms, and cognitive patterns. Each number encompasses auniquecultural code that shapes thesymbolic content ofexpression. Numerical Proverbs inGerman In the German paremiological system, proverbs with numerical components are integral and reflect hist