STRUCTURAL AND SEMANTIC ANALYSIS OF THE CONCEPT “LOVE” IN RUSSIAN AND CHINESE PAREMIOLOGY

Abstract

The article shares results of a comparative analysis of the verbalization of the concept “LOVE” in Russian and Chinese paremiological systems using a structural and semantic approach. The objective of the study is to identify universal and culturally specific features in the representation of this phenomenon through the systematization and interpretation of Russian and Chinese proverbs and sayings. The relevance of the work is due to the increased interest of linguoculturology and cognitive linguistics in the comparative study of the conceptual spheres of different nations, as well as the need to deepen intercultural communication between Russia and China. The main source of empirical material is the publication “Russian-Chinese Dictionary of Proverbs and Sayings” by E. Fanlay (2005). The study uses methods of structural analysis (identification of models and formulas), component and contextual analysis of meanings, as well as the method of conceptual modeling. The scientific novelty lies in conducting a systematic structural and semantic comparison of the paremiological corpus of two languages based on a specific lexicographic source, which allows for the objectification of observations. The results of the analysis demonstrate both the commonality of basic structural models and evaluative meanings associated with love (its power, sacrifice, and contradictions), as well as significant differences due to the specifics of cultural codes: Russian paremiology tends to the antinomy of heartfelt love and love-passion, often tinged with tragedy or irony, while the Chinese tradition emphasizes the socio-ethical and pragmatic aspects of love, embedding it in the context of family and clan relations. The theoretical significance of the study lies in the development of a methodology for comparative paremiological analysis, and the practical significance lies in the possibility of using its results in teaching Russian and Chinese as foreign languages, in the theory and practice of translation, and in intercultural training.