LINGUISTIC REPRESENTATION OF NATIONAL MENTALITY IN PROVERBS AND SAYINGS

Abstract

The present study explores the linguistic representation of national mentality in English and Uzbek proverbs and sayings. Language is not only a means of communication but also a repository of cultural memory, collective experience, and national identity. Proverbs occupy a special place in linguistic and cultural studies because they preserve traditional wisdom and transmit social values across generations. The research applies qualitative, comparative, semantic, and ethnolinguistic methods to identify the cultural concepts reflected in proverbial expressions. Particular attention is paid to such themes as work, family, hospitality, education, morality, and social relationships. The findings demonstrate that proverbs function as cultural codes that reveal the worldview, value system, and behavioral norms of a nation. While English proverbs often emphasize individual responsibility, self-reliance, and practical wisdom, Uzbek proverbs tend to highlight collectivism, respect for elders, hospitality, and family solidarity. The study confirms that proverbial expressions represent an important source for understanding the interaction between language, culture, and national identity in contemporary linguistic research.