Comparative structural and semantic analysis of English and Russian proverbs about greediness, prodigality, frugality and moderation in the context of their linguistic and cultural identity

The article deals with a comparative structural and semantic analysis of English Russian proverbs, which express the meanings «greediness», «prodigality», «frugality» «moderation». selected material made it possible to discover national specifics cultural evaluative perception studied phenomena in thinking both peoples. main proverbs were identified analyzed, reveal view on greediness as quality character leading losses, associated insatiability anxiety, condemned religious context; prodigality loss well-being; thrift that contributes multiplication wealth accumulation great things small means, well moderation «living within one’s means» confirming need for measure everything. There revealed figurative means artistic methods inherent each language. With similarity languages many meanings, more condescending attitude towards such defects covetousness prodigality; this condescension is rooted fatalism, was shaped under influence Orthodoxy. structure linguistic used two have much common, despite fact are different types. Common features capacity, conciseness, incompleteness sentences; common expressiveness assimilation, comparison, opposition, allegory, metaphor, including personifying paradox, metonymy, hyperbole. In English, there devoid meaning; they often use neutral abstract vocabulary. characterized by frequent emotionally expressive, evaluative, colloquial vocabulary, increases emotionality brings them closer folklore relevance study consists not only identifying group, but also revealing ways their verbalization. author makes conclusion about connection between features, expressive connotations peculiarities