LANGUAGE WORLD MODEL IN POLISH AND UKRAINIAN PARABLES ABOUT THE POWER OF WORDS

Abstract

The article provides a comparative analysis of the language world model in Polish and Ukrainian paremiology about the power of words. The stated topic is relevant and important for the development of intercultural communication. A comparative analysis of parables about the power of words allows us to find out not only the linguistic features of the use of proverbs, sayings and phraseological units in closely related languages, but also certain differences in the understanding of the phenomenon of the power of words in both cultures. Analysing the achievements of paramyology on the power of words, attention is drawn to the definition of the “language world model”. It is found that the language world model reflects the relationship between language and culture, the influence of language on the formation of worldview, perception of reality by peoples of different cultures. Studying the linguistic worldview in Polish and Ukrainian parables, it is taken into account that each language has its own vocabulary and specific grammatical constructions that reflect the unique values of a particular community. The article analyses various definitions of “paremia” and shows that the concept of “paremia has not acquired a terminological meaning and its definitions often include different genres: proverbs and phraseological units, maxims and aphorisms, signs and folk comparisons, etc. In this regard, the article deals with the “paremic minimum” – proverbs, sayings and phraseological units about the word. The imagery and brevity of the paremia form allows us to see a specific meaning behind the text: events, a hint of something, etc. Both Polish and Ukrainian paraphrases reveal the extraordinary value of a “kind word”, which is sweeter than wine, quenches thirst, costs little but is better than money, helps, heals, brings harmony, and lives forever. Despite the similarity of the meanings of proverbs in Polish and Ukrainian, they have their own connotations. Proverbs associatively evoke allusions to biblical aphorisms, since the Bible is the oldest source of paremia. The article presents biblical parallels to Polish and Ukrainian proverbs about the power of words. Both Polish and Ukrainian peoples are characterised by a respectful attitude towards people. Therefore, folk wisdom teaches us to weigh our words so as not to hurt the other person. A comparative analysis of Polish and Ukrainian proverbs shows that the most important national and human values are common, which led to the existence of similar proverbs, sayings and phraseology in Polish and Ukrainian.