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Муниципальное бюджетное общеобразовательное учреждение
«Лицей № 7»
Identification of main British features of character through English proverbs
Выполнена ученицей
9 класса Г МБОУ «Лицей № 7»
г. Новочеркасск
Ростовской области
Омельченко Марией
Научный руководитель -
учитель английского языка
МБОУ «Лицей №7»
Пугачева Ирина Викторовна
г. Новочеркасск
2018г.
Contents
1. Introduction
The relevance of the topic
The purpose of the study
Objectives of the study
The object of study
Research methods
Hypothesis
2. Main part
1.1 Reflection of the national character of the British in proverbs.
1.2 Proverbs - identification of major national traits of the British.
Introduction
Where did a proverb come from? Where can it be used? All over the world free using proverbs in speech is a difficult problem for people learning the English language as a foreign one. Proverbs often cause serious difficulties even with people who know English very well. Proverbs make our speech more expressive, and imaginative. Having a rich vocabulary of proverbs, you can not only understand shades of meaning, stylistics, emotion, but also will enrich your speech, made it more natural. Proverbs help us to learn English, because they are a good example of the English culture and language. They make speech alive and interesting.
Proverbs, created by the people, are invaluable richness of any language. They are centuries old wisdom of any nation. Proverbs and sayings are familiar to all of us. How convincingly and beautifully speech sounds, if the person straightens his thoughts with saying or a proverb! Proverbs for us is like a guide-book of life. Perhaps, no other literary genre reflects people’s life as much as a proverb. They may well be called the people's encyclopedia. Each generation accumulated its observations of the world, social and family relationships between people, and these observations, this knowledge and experience is reflected in proverbs.
The relevance of this study:During English lessons we often talk about the national features of the British, rate them positively or negatively, relying on the texts from our books, information from television and the Internet. But, unfortunately, none of us has visited England yet, so our information about what kind of people Englishmen are, can be false and contradictory. And I want to find confirmation from the Englishmen themselves. This work is devoted to studying of the basic features of the national character of the British and their reflection in English proverbs. The relevance of the topic is obvious, taking into account contemporary multicultural dialogue. It helps to understand the peculiarities of the country of studied language, broadens our mind, promotes interest to the English language and to the culture of the country.
The purpose of the study: to determine the connection between individual character features of the British and their proverbs.
Objectives of the study:
To interview students of our school to identify their point of view on the character of the British;
To study cross-cultural, documentary and journalistic literature on the subject we study;
To make a literal translation of proverbs and determine their meaning;
To classify proverbs into groups, according to certain character features of the Britons;
The object of study: English proverbs that reflect the personality and lifestyle of the residents of the UK.
Methods of research: exploratory research, comparative, practical application of knowledge, survey, analysis.
The structure of work: corresponds to the content of research tasks and is built in a logical sequence. The work consists of introduction, theoretical and practical parts, survey analysis, conclusion, applications and references.
Hypothesis: English proverbs and sayings reflect the national character of the English and their way of thinking. If we study features of proverbs and sayings in the Russian and English languages, it will help us to understand better language realities, and the national character of native speakers. Studying proverbs and sayings is one of effective ways to develop tolerance of the young people to different cultures and nationalities.
Main part
The research part of the work we decided to start with a survey of the students of our school, English language learners. Altogether, were questioned 126 students in grades 6-9. Respondents were asked to name the most characteristic feature of the British to their opinion.
Thus, we have identified a number of distinctive national traits of the British. What can English proverbs tell us about the English character? Do they confirm or deny common stereotypes? For this purpose, we analyzed more than 100 proverbs.
Proverbs is a great linguistic wealth of the people, developed over many centuries. A proverb is not a simple saying. It expresses the opinion of the people. It contains the assessment of life, observation of people's mind. Not every saying has become a proverb, but only one that is consistent with the thoughts and ways of life of many people - a saying could exist for thousands of years, passing from century to century. Behind each proverb, stands the authority of generations who created them. Proverbs don't argue or prove anything - they just claim or deny something, and they are confident that they say the universal truth. So we decided to rely on the proverbs completely in the assessment of character features of people in the UK.
1.1 Most popular in the survey were such qualities of character as conservatism and restraint in words and emotions. And indeed in such proverbs as:
Custom is the second nature. = Habit is a second nature. - Привычка - вторая натура.
There is many a good tune played on an old fiddle. – И на старой дудке можно сыграть неплохую песенку.
Old friends and old wine are best. - Нет ничего лучше старых друзей и старого вина. Соотв.Старый друг лучше новых двух. Держись друга старого, а дома нового. Одежда лучше новая, а друг старый.
A creaking door hangs the longest.=A creaking gate hangs long. – Скрипучие ворота долго висят.
is pronounced one of the main features of the national character of the British - devotion to traditions and customs.
1.2 The British believe that self-control is the main virtue of human nature. The national character of the English has been described in different ways, but the most commentators agree over one quality, which they describe as a sense of superiority or "insular pride". English patriotism is based on a deep sense of security. Englishmen as individuals may have been insecure, threatened with the loss of their job, unsure of themselves or unhappy in many ways. But as a nation they have been secure for centuries. The English are a well-disciplined people and it is probably no exaggeration to say that they have the best manners in the world. Words: "Learn to control yourself" like nothing better express the motto of this nation. The better a person is able to control himself, the worthier he is. The famous English restraint, the desire to hide their emotions are the result of a strict upbringing. "Silence is gold", "Less said, faster fixed” - inspire children from a very young age. These people know the value of words, and the following proverbs say about this:
Great boast, small roast. - Много слов, да мало дела.
A tree is known by its fruit. - Дерево славится плодами, а человек делами.
First think, then speak. - Сначала подумай, потом говори. Соотв.Слово – не воробей, вылетит – не поймаешь. Думай дважды – говори раз.
Keep your mouth shut and your ears open. – Меньше говори, да больше слушай.
Least said, soonest mended. - Меньше говоришь, быстрее исправишь.
No wisdom like silence. - Нет ничего умнее молчания.
When angry, count ten (a hundred). - Когда рассердишься, сосчитай до ста.
1.3 No less popular in our survey were character features such as efficiency and prudence. Money is the idol of the British. None treats wealth in such high esteem. On every field they spend a lot of time to raise money.
Strike while the iron is hot. - Куй, пока железо горячо.
A golden key opens every door. - Золотой ключик открывает любые двери.
No wisdom like silence. Нет ничего умнее молчания.
These proverbs describe the British as clever entrepreneurs, energetic and tireless in inventing ways to make money.
According to the British point of view, money affects friendly relations between people:
When I lent I had a friend, when I asked he was unkind. - Я богат, и друг мне рад. Где должок? А он - молчок.
At the same time the British condemn dishonestly acquired wealth and believe that dishonest man does not deserve the wealth:
Lightly come, lightly go. - Что легко пришло, легко и уйдет.
Ill-gotten gains never prosper. - Нечестно нажитое впрок не идет.
1.4. Thus it is necessary to say that wealth does not come to the British easily, but come to them through hard work, integrity, and working skills, as you can read in proverbs:
The devil is not so black as he is painted. - Не так страшен черт, как его малюют.
Never do things by halves. - He делай ничего наполовину
The early bird catches the worm. - Кто рано встает, тому Бог подает
Don't put of till tomorrow what you can do today. - He оставляй на завтра то, что можно сделать сегодня.
You can't make an omelet without breaking eggs. - Нельзя приготовить омлет, не разбив яиц.
A tree is known by its fruit. - Дерево познается по плодам.
Little strokers fell great oaks. - Малые удары валят большие дубы.
As you sow so shall you reap. - Что посеешь, то и пожнешь.
Such quality as laziness, was totally unacceptable to the British.
1.5. Englishmen prefer to have their own houses rather than apartments in a
block of flats, because they don’t want to be over-looked by their neighbors. The
proverb says: "An Englishman’s house is his castle". The English are stay-at-home
people. "There is no place like home", they say. When they don’t work they like to
spend their days off at home with their families. An English family prefers a house
with a fireplace and a garden.The same thing can be said about the saying “East or West, home is best” (В гостях хорошо, а дома лучше). Hearth takes a great place in their lives. Home for them is truly the center of existence.
With neighbors Britons stay friendly and helpful. With strangers or uninvited visitors usually speak only through the door, not inviting them inside. Guests are invited only in advance and only at a certain hour. An unexpected knocking at the front door is very rare in London. The house serves as the Englishman's castle, where he can hide not only from unwanted visitors, but also from boring troubles.
The wider we roam, the welcomer home. - Всякому мила своя сторона. Домой и кони веселей бегут.
Let the world wag and take mine ease in mine inn. - Пусть мир шатается, но оставит меня в покое на моем постоялом дворе.
Dry bread at home is better than roast meat abroad. - Сухой хлеб дома лучше, чем жареное мясо за границей
Love your neighbor, yet pull not down your fence. - Люби своего соседа, но из-за высокого забора.
A constant guest is never welcome. - Постоянному гостю не рады.
But despite the stereotype about the English, as contained people, it is impossible to judge their character so one-sided. Other proverbs provide more accurate representation of the variaty of the national character of the inhabitants of the "Albion":
No man is an island. - Один в поле не воин.
United we stay, divided we fall. - Вместе мы выстоим, врозь – пропадем.
A house divided against itself can't stand. – Дом, разделившийся внутри, устоять не может.
1.6 The theme of family relations is very common in English proverbs, relations between parents and children. Deep down, Britons believe that the parents should better be more strict than soft. Widespread English proverb "Spare the rod means to spoil the child" confirms this. The higher in society you are, the more strictness you have to show.
Mother's darlings are but milksop heroes. - Неладны те ребятки, коих не бранят ни батьки, ни матки.
Fair in the cradle and foul in the saddle. - Кто без призора в колыбели, тот век не при деле.
Give a child his will and he'll turn ill. - Дай ребенку волю и он испортится.
“Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise”. – consider the Britons.
While children grow at home, they should not be heard. And since school age, ideally, should not be visible. It is a characteristic feature of the English way of life. Being the birds lovers, the British made such proverb: "Chicks should be thrown out of the nest to learn how to fly."
Parents are patterns. - Родители – образец для подражания
A man’s mother is his other God. - Мать человека – его второй бог
1.7. For Russian people it is astonishing fact that in English families pets occupy a higher position than the children. The British are traditionally a nation of animal
lovers. This is clear from the large number of animal programs on TV. There are
programs about wildlife in Britain and other countries, and about pets at home.
There are programs like Animal Hospital about sick animals and the working lives
of animal doctors. Some programs try to find new homes for unwanted or
homeless animals. All these programs are very popular. There is a pet in nearly
50% of the 24.2 million homes in Britain. The British have fervent love for pets. The British are convinced that the person who loves animals, can't be bad. They love animals.And many British people developed the most sincere and loving relationship with four-legged pets. The British find a common language with animals perfectly, although sometimes they are completely unable to find a common language with their children. Britons spend about 1.7 billion pounds a year on food for their pets - more than all tea and coffee market! Animals are allowed to do all the things in the house for which children, most likely, will be severely punished. Animals are considered to be incapable of any evil deed. Cruelty to animals is causing horror and disgust. That is why a special relationship to animals is reflected in the large number of proverbs:
A cat may look at a king. - Кошка может смотреть на короля.
Love me, love my dog. - Люби меня, люби и мою собаку.
An old horse make straight furrow. - Старый конь борозды не
портит.
1.8. In a sociological survey pupils called such qualities of character as a caution, carefulness, patience. They are unconditionally peculiar to the Englishmen, before you make any deal, they will think several times, and that is confirmed by the following proverbs:
Patience is a plaster for all sores. - Терпение лучшее спасение.
Everything is good in its season. - Всему свое время.
Look before you leap. — Осмотрись, прежде чем прыгать.
Slow but save. – Медленно, но безопасно.
Discretion is the better part of valor. - Осторожность — лучшая часть доблести.
1.8. Analyzing a large number of proverbs, we note that the ideal of Englishmen are such qualities as independence, scholarship, exquisite courtesy, dignity, honesty, tact and grace of manners. They all reflected in English proverbs.
1.9. However, it should be noted that such features as generosity, emotionality, openness were not popularity both in sociological survey and in our study of proverbs.
Conclusion
Proverbs is an amazing source of information about the world, history, culture of the people whose language we are studying as a foreign language. Behind the proverbs stands a many-centuries wisdom of the people, the experience of many generations.
The study of proverbs of English language contributes to the understanding of the mentality and national character of the speakers of that language. Proverbs are an additional source of cross-cultural knowledge. M. I. Dubrovin wrote: "Wisdom and spirit of the people display in proverbs, and knowing the proverbs of that or another nation not only contributes to a better knowledge of the language, but also a better understanding of the mindset and character of the people."
English proverbs are a kind of key to a proper understanding of the characteristics of the English language. And therefore, while learning English, character and lifestyle we must turn to proverbs as the most valuable pastterns of the language. No other language tools cannot compare with proverbs in amount of information about the customs, traditions and life of the British. Proverbs and sayings are the most valuable treasure of the spiritual culture of the people.
Proverbs and sayings have been developing together with the history of the
people. They reflect people’s mentality and transferred from one generation to
another both in written and oral form. The main sources of proverbs and sayings
are drawing from other languages, Bible text and folk. There are proverbs which
are common for the most of people of the world and which are peculiar for a
certain nation.
The analysis of a number of English proverbs and their classification shows that our hypothesis about the reflection of the most bright features of the national character of the British in their proverbs has confirmed. In addition, it became clear that the study of proverbs gives the opportunity to learn Englishmen from another side, but not from widespread stereotypes and judgments about this nation, it allows to open a little-known features of the English temperament, such as for example, risk-taking, optimism, etc.
The list of references
1. V. Ovchinnikov. The roots of the oak. Impressions and reflections about England and the English people.
2. A. S. Komarov. English Proverbs, sayings and aphorisms. - M., Prospect, 2005
3. M. I. Dubrovin. English and Russian Proverbs and sayings. - Moscow, Prosveshchenie, 1993
4. Zhukov, V. P., Dictionary of Russian Proverbs and sayings, - "Russian language", 1999.
5. Modesto B. C. English Proverbs and sayings and their Russian equivalents. - M.: Russian language, 2004.
6. G. A. Stefanovic, L. I. Shvydkaya. English Proverbs and sayings. - M., Education, 1980
7. Mitin I. E. Russian Proverbs and sayings and their English equivalents. - M: CARO, 2002.
8. Мюррей Ю.В. Большая книга русских пословиц и поговорок и их
