Concept of Water/水and Water Space in the Phraseological Worldview of Russian and Chinese Languages

Xi’an Shiyou University,Xi’an,China Email：chunmu.wang@mail.ru

[Abstract]The paper is devoted to the identification of general and specific aspects in the representation of the concept“水”/”Water”in the Chinese and Russian phraseological worldviews.It has been established that the core of the above concept is formed by similar basic cognitive features“Aquatoria”and“Water space”.The content of the concept is presented in different ways in the phraseological pictures of the world of the Russian and Chinese languages.Discrepancies in the constituents of the nearest,distant and extreme periphery of the concept are revealed.

[Keywords]Concept;water;phraseological;Russian;Chinese

Introduction

Most of the studied units have national and cultural specifics.The language reflects the cultural space of the people,it contains information related to history,geography,religion,folklore,and everyday life.There are five elements:gold,wood,water,fire and earth are considered the most important in Chinese culture.There is expression in Russian:Fire is king,water is queen,earth is mother and heaven is father.In both list contains the word water.Water is not just an element,it reacts to human actions and even thoughts.Human beings are one of the first to discover the element of water.If they used air unconsciously,and tamed fire much later,they stopped their thirst with water,washed themselves with it,worshiped and feared it from the very beginning of their appearance on Earth.

Some scientists have long been considering the composition of water.In addition,from the perspective of fields such as mythology and language,some works were created to carry out the comparative analysis of the performance of a concept in two or three languages or cultures.

Concept of Water/水in the Chinese and Russian

at present,the word“concept”is widely used in various fields of linguistics.The largest studies belong to scientists like S.G.Vorkachev,V.V.Vorobyov,V.I.Karasik,G.G.Slyshkin,E.S.kubryakova,Yu.S.Stepanov and so on.Therefore,conceptual school appeared,conceptual typology was developed and various research methods were proposed.There are dozens of definitions of“concept”,among which the earliest one was proposed by A.Vezhbitskaya:“this is an object from the“ideal”world.It has a name,which reflects a person’s concept of cultural constraints on the“real”world”(Vezhbitskaya,1997,p.416).

The origin of the hieroglyph“water”is ascribed to the so-called pictogram---a symbol depicting the appearance of an object.About three thousand years ago,when writing appeared in Ancient China,it actually depicted a flowing water stream.In Russia,the word“water”is Slavic in origin,which has appeared in Russian language since the XI century,and it is formed from the same General Slavic basis as the word“bucket”.Words with similar meanings and spellings are found in many languages.For example,in Lithuanian(vanduo),Gothic(wato),ancient Indian(uda),English(water),Latin(unda).

Concept of“water”refers to the subject code of culture,which is associated with the oldest human concepts of subjects,that fill space and belong to the surrounding community.Subject of our study is concept of“WATER/水”in Russian and Chinese languages.

The word“WATER”has several meanings in dictionary of S.I.Ozhegov.1.Transparent colorless liquid,which is a pure chemical compound of hydrogen and oxygen.Glass of water.2.Drink(to quench thirst,medicinal drink):mineral water,etc.3.Water surface- river,lake,sea,etc.,as well as its level.Overwater travel.4.Water space of a state.Conventional waters.5.Streams,jets,waves,water mass.Spring waters.6.Mineral springs,a resort with such springs.To be treated on waters(Zhang,2008,p.751).

Clearly,natural properties of water are recorded in direct meaning of the word“water”- transparent colorless liquid...In Russian culture,symbolism of water is associated with natural properties:transparency,freshness,rapid flow and ability to purify.These are examples in the Russian language,such as Bastle flints with butter,Shut up like an oyster,Pour water into a sieve.Let’s turn to the Chinese language,which substantiates the properties of a person through the image of water:For a drop of water,you must answer with the source(reap as one has sown),is the glass half empty or half full.

Concept“水”/“Water”in the Chinese and Russian phraseological worldviews

71%of the earth’s surface is covered by water,and we know as natural phenomenon in the form of rivers,lakes,seas and oceans.Water provides the needs of the living world,nobody can live without water,there are many proverbs about water in Russian and Chinese languages,including the surface of rivers,seas and lakes.

In Russian,water symbolizes cold,sober mind,strength,power,but simultaneously,water is life and softness.They are in all the objects of the phraseological category:in the objects that surround us,in the traits of character that we possess,in the magic that we use.For example:a)self-perception:“как рыба в воде”-like a fish in wa⁃ter;“как с гуся вода”-like water off a duck all the person uneasy;“на волне успеха”-being miserable is sad;on the wave of success- use case; on the crest of a wave to be in a good condition; b)magic:“спрятать концы в воду”-hide the ends in water to conceal the crime;“как в воду глядел”-as in water looked-as if knew in ad⁃vance;“вилами по воде писано”-pitchfork on water written-still not known,as will,initially clear;c)прошел сквозь огонь и воду,воды не замутит-traits character:“has passed through fire and water,not disturb the wa⁃ter”- a quiet,modest,decent man.There are roots in the cultural meanings of Russian phraseological units in this group in ancient rituals,which is associated with the belief in the magical properties of water and its ability to indi⁃cate the guilt or innocence of a suspect in a crime as a divine substance.

Bubbles on the water- leads to the bad weather(to the coming rain); on the descent of the holy spirit,throw wreaths into water;if drowning-unfortunately,swimming-for good;A lot of snow-a lot of bread;a lot of water-a lot of grass.The word combination to pour water into a sieve is equivalent in Chinese language to the expression-to carry water in a bamboo basket,which means doing something useless,in vain.

It is no coincidence that water opens a series of phraseological representations of the elements.It is considered the first element from which all others are born.The word element corresponds to the Chinese Five Xin,which,however,has a deeper philosophical meaning:‘five forces in constant motion’(五行).Therefore,when talking about the phrase-forming potential of the concept“water”,you should not just mean water,but the inherent properties of all living things,because water exists in all cycles of life:the cycle of generation,the cycle of destruction,the cycle of softening.

Here are some examples from Chinese language:

Spring rain is as expensive as oil,Water can carry a boat,and can turn over,Eighty years have not rained-/for a long time/will be remembered such a bucket!(sarcastic comments)-I will never forget his kindness!(I will remember his cordiality for a long time).Chinese expression Like bamboo shoots after rain is equivalent in Russian to the phrase Like mushrooms after the rain.

In Chinese language,the“水”lexical item has another meaning that is not present in Russian-“once”,for example:这衣裳只洗过一水.This suit has only been washed once; 这料子洗几水也不变色.This material does not shed even after repeated washing.

Semantic features can serve as the basis for the formation of idiomatic meaning of the word“water”,which are laid down in phraseological units.

Signs of water-transparent and colorless-are the basis for the development of idiomatic meaning.In Russian,expression“pure water”in the meaning:real,true.This refers to a certain phenomenon,situation(Telia,2006,p.727).The word“water”does not have this idiomatic meaning in Chinese language.

Fluidity of water and its purifying qualities are reflected in phraseological units,for example:“Bring out to clean water”(bring to light).This nature of water was used in many ceremonials in which water was attributed enchantment“As in water lowered(who)”(down in the dumps).In Russian,expression“Water will not spill”(as thick as thieves)-meaning of close friendship,it is impossible to separate someone,to prevent friendship.

Component of phraseology“water”corresponds to natural code of culture,and component“do not spill”-to the anthropic,so,basically,this is like an human code of culture,which contains knowledge about various types of human activity.Friendship was often sealed with special ritual in ancient world.In many peoples,the concept of friendship coincided with coming-of-age ceremony-the initiation of young man into adulthood.According to tradition,every man was obliged to have three friends,having passed this coming-of-age ceremony,who were located in degree of proximity.

In Chinese language the great spaces and beauty of native country are expressed in comparisons:Like mountains,clean and beautiful water-comfort“如鱼得水”-like a fish in water(catfish to a crawdad),“久旱逢甘霖”-life-giving rain after the drought is like manna from heaven,“近水楼台”-high tower that is next to a river,the first to see the moon,which means:a person in favourable conditions;a similar example in Russian language:water is estimated as a source of life“Rain in may raises bread”.

The word“water”in native speakers of Russian and Chinese languages causes negative associations,conceals fear and danger.There is ambivalent attitude to water:on the one hand,water is something necessary for life,and on the other-dangerous,environment,tsunami,overflow water in association area of Russian language.There is expression“山穷水尽”-“exhausted mountain and water have dried up”in Chinese language,it is used in the meaning go balls to the wall-to be in extreme need,the idiomatic meaning comes to the end of tether; to be helpless,“跋山涉水”-come to the mountains,across the rivers,meaning to experience all the hardships of the way,to overcome the challenges of long journeys.There are such expressions as“With fire,with water,you can not argue”;“Fire-trouble and water-trouble,and worse than trouble-without fire and without water”in Russian language.

In a poem by Aleksandr Sergeevich Pushkin,we read the lines:Still waters run deep.Wise people Live quietly.

We understand that the great Russian poet brings together the flow of water and human life:“deep waters”,and it is about people,their lives:“wise people live quietly”.Proverbs state:“Water will find its own way”,“Smart person is like a spring”.

The meaning of proverb“上善若水”-“In the Middle Kingdom,nothing is weaker and softer than water,but the blows of which overcome the stronghold.”

Water expresses relationships between people in Russian and Chinese languages,for example:“水乳交融”-water with milk,about the connections of close people in meaning:strong,durable,inseparable relationships,in the Russian language,respectively,the phraseology“water will not spill”(as thick as thieves).This is a phrase about family relations-“Goose without water as a husband without a wife”,in Russian language,“Seventh water on jelly”(second cousin twice removed);“Distant water is difficult to extinguish a nearby fire.”-this is about a different kind of relationship,about disengagement of close people.

The metaphorical field of Chinese language is often associated with woman or girl.A young girl is beautiful and nice,and in Chinese language,this is expressed by the stable comparison“冰清玉洁”-girl is pure as axe stone and transparent as ice-about a girl with beautiful appearance.And more“柔情似水”and“水性杨花”,“柔情似水”– woman’s character is soft as water.“水性杨花”-fizgig-flowing water,flying in wind like willow flowers,“冰雪”-smart and pure girl-“ice and snow”.

In Chinese,the image of water can coexist with the image of fire.In phraseological units,they are mutually exclusive elements.Therefore,the combination of hieroglyphs of water and fire began to symbolize the impossibility of joining in one space,the impossibility of coexistence.

In addition,water and fire can be interpreted as blind elements that pose danger or misfortune for a person.The phraseology“水火无情”is interpreted as follows:“the fire and the flood is a terrible natural forces that can destroy everything”.

Ocean“洋”(yang)-all the waters of the earth surrounding continents and islands.In Russian,there is a say⁃ing called“ocean- океан”:колодезные лягушки не знают об океане- frogs know nothing about the ocean.The sea here symbolizes knowledge and the proverb is a metaphor for the short-sighted who do not know the real world.In Chinese,this word is often associated with the concept of foreign things,such as:“洋装”(literal transla⁃tion:clothing from overseas)-clothes from abroad,fashionable dresses.

Sea“海”(hai)-part of the world’s oceans.In Russian,there are a large number of proverbs about the“sea”,such as:“на дне моря найти”(literal translation:found on the bottom of the sea)-achieve the aim by any means;“ждать у моря погоды”(literal translation:waiting for the weather by the sea)-wait in vain for something to hap⁃pen.In Chinese,the word“sea”embodies many figurative meanings.The most common one is“a lot of something”,which is also found in Russian.“人海”means a lot of people.“苦海无边”means that there is no boundary for the sea of pain.The sea is also associated with boundaries that divide the world into its own and others'worlds,for example,“海归”means coming back from the other side of the ocean,returning from abroad.“海内无双”(literal translation:there is nothing like it inside the sea)it’s means unique.

River“河”(he)is a natural stream of water which is formed by flowing in a channel.River usually refers to the flowing process,comparing Russia and China:river of life,“时间如河一样流逝”-river of time(time passes with the flow of the river).In addition,there are different meanings between idioms,proverbs,for example,in Russian:“молочные реки и кисельные берега”- the river of milk and honey(free and prosperous life);“большая река течёт спокойно”-the big river flows quietly(the wise raise his voice);“чтобы узнать,насколько глубока река,в неё бросают камень”-to see how deep the river is,it throws a stone(learn first,then act).There are similar situations in Chinese.For example,“抱痛西河”(literal translation:crying by the Xi River)is used to describe the deep grief caused by the death of a child.As we all know,the Yellow River is muddy and sandy,so there is the following proverb:“跳进黄河也洗不清”(jumping into the Yellow River is not clear)means jumping into the Yellow River,it is impossible to make you innocent,and it is impossible for you to get rid of doubt.

Lake“湖”(hu)is a closed natural water reservoir in a depression of land.There is a proverb in Russian that muddy water does not flow from a clear lake,suggesting that negative phenomena are interrelated.And in Chinese,this word,used in a figurative sense,refers to the world or society,for example:“五湖四海”(literal translation:Five lakes,four seas)Its appearance is associated with the idea that the earth is surrounded by five lakes and four seas,because at that time there was no reliable data.“浪迹江湖”(literal translation:traces remain on all rivers and lakes;free translation:wandering in the wide world);“人在江湖，身不由己”(literal translation:the person on the lake does not depend on himself;free translation:people living in the world sometimes can’t master their own destiny).

Spring“泉”(quan)-a water source that flows from the depth of the earth.In Russian,there are proverbs associated with the image of spring.The spring is associated with the beginning,for example:“Пей воду- и не мути родник”means drink water-and do not muddy the spring-that you should not respond good with evil;“сидеть у родника и воды не пить”- you can’t sit by a spring while not drinking it(about the feeling of temptation to do something,if possible).In Chinese,this is used when talking about the beginning of something,without end;or underground,after the death of a person.For example:“思若涌泉”(literal translation:thought is like a seething spring;free translation:quick and rich thought).“含笑九泉”(literal translation:smiles at jiuquan;free translation:die with satisfaction).

Conclusion

In summary,we can say that the people understand the world through the prism of language,and language acts as an expression to the culture of the nation.A person learns the world through cognitive field,there are common aspects and differences.Having considered the concept of“WATER/水”on the material of dictionaries of Chinese and Russian phraseological units,we can say that the people,both Russians and Chinese,take water in accordance with its natural characteristics,because any person lives on same planet,and humanity is perceived as something integral,but on the other hand,different nations have their own culture and social life,each person is formed with his own characteristics,national perception of life and surrounding community,hence the connection and diverse life rules of culture and language.Water as a source of life and the concept of“WATER/水”play an important role in shaping the language worldview of both languages and cultures.

Acknowledgments

This paper is the phased research result of the special scientific research project“Chinese concept research from the perspective of cognitive semantics”(Project No.19JK0644)of the Department of education of Shaanxi Province in 2019.