FAMILY VALUES IN RUSSIAN AND CHUVASH PROVERBS AND SAYINGS

Abstract

The paper considers the peculiarities of the verbalization of the concept "Family" in Russian and Chuvash proverbs and sayings in cross-cultural perspective. The processes of social and cultural interaction of the two nations – the Russians and the Chuvash – are determined by the continuous common inhabitancy of the latter in the middle of the Volga river region of Russia. In the focus of the research there are the systems of value attitudes and those of stereotypical ideas about the family as a specific form of the social institute regulating family relations. At all stages of the family formation beginning with matchmaking and further proceeding to engagement and marriage there are certain peculiarities of the relations between the members of the family including the spouses, their children, and the parents and close relatives on both sides. These family relations have been viewed for centuries through the lenses of value attitudes manifested by all family actors’ interactions throughout their lives. The value attitudes characterizing the family life and relations originated in the minds of common people in the form of proverbs and sayings to be inherited by forthcoming generations as a general guideline in their family lives. The proverbs and sayings being the part and parcel of national mind have been preserved in the thesaurus of a national language. The comparative analysis of Russian and Chuvash proverbs and sayings on family life and family relations proves that the Russians and the Chuvash equally prioritize family values nurtured on national cultures and traditions. As far as the main family actors in traditional centuries-long monogamous families are spouses, it is stated that the strength of family ties and the well-being of the family depends on their mutual love and respect, and other human virtues. Many proverbs and sayings being instructive in nature are addressed to either both spouses or each of them individually. The attention of addressees is drawn to universal human virtues and qualities inherent to a good spouse. The proverbs and sayings are also aimed to prevent the youth from making a wrong choice. It has been found that the number of proverbs and sayings addressing prospective husbands exceeds considerably the number of those addressing prospective wives both in Russian and Chuvash cultures. The authors argue this is due to the fact that the major burdens and responsibilities of family life in Russia have always been resting on the husband. It is also stated that proverbs and sayings relating to the concept “Family” can be used by contemporary pedagogical science to foster in the children and the youth the spirit of worshiping family values.