PROBLEMS OF INTERPRETING PROVERBS AND SAYINGS IN BILINGUAL LEARNER’S DICTIONARIES
Abstract
Proverbs and sayings constitute a culturally marked layer of phraseology that poses serious challenges for bilingual lexicography. Due to their figurative meaning, pragmatic function, and national specificity, proverbs are often inadequately represented in bilingual learner’s dictionaries. This article analyzes the key problems of interpreting proverbs and sayings in bilingual educational lexicography, focusing on semantic non-equivalence, cultural untranslatability, pragmatic loss, and pedagogical constraints. Drawing on the theoretical frameworks of phraseology, pragmatics, and translation studies, the paper argues that traditional lexicographic practices fail to ensure communicative and cultural equivalence. The study also refers to existing empirical research on dictionary use and proposes lexicographic strategies aimed at improving the interpretation of proverbs for foreign language learners.
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