A Functional Analysis of Superstructure and Deep Structure Mechanisms in Common Persian Proverbs

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Associate Professor of Persian Language and Literature, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran.

Abstract

: Proverbs are important cultural components which show the way and style of common thought in a society. They are often mediators and devices for language pressure and influence. The question is where the effectiveness and functional pressure of proverbs come from and how the internal and external mechanisms governing their structure work. Using the qualitative, analytical and functionalist method, it can be said that proverbs become common and influential when they direct the audience to a familiar story in the infrastructure through obvious dualities and contrasts in the superstructure. The easier the audience's mind is transferred from superficial signs to cultural and infrastructural significance of the stories, the more immediate and greater their influence will be on the audience. The story in the deep structure of proverbs can influence the listener like a pressure device by shaping the mental schema and help in cognitive development, recalling and quick understanding of the message. Narratives and cultural stories in the deep structure of proverbs act in the direction of persuasion. They shape acceptance by emphasizing on social constructionism and create an immediate impact on the audience by highlighting the originality of depiction and imposing pressure and theatrical obligation.

Keywords

Main Subjects


-Esfandiari Mohani, Fatemeh, Mohammad Reza Najarian and Mohammad Khodadadi (2021), The study of neighboring contrasts in the two poems of Khosrow and Shirin and Laili and Majnoon, Scientific Journal of Linguistic and Rhetorical Studies, year 12, number 26, pp. 7-32.
- Althusser, Louis (1999), Ideology and Ideological Mechanisms of the State, translated by Roozbeh Sadr-Ara, Tehran: Sarcheshme.
- Edgar, Andrew. Sejvik, Peter (1998), the fundamental concepts of cultural theories, translated by Mehran Mohajer and Mohammad Nabavi, Tehran: Ageh.
- Bashiri Faraz, Hamidreza (2019), pressure lever and the formation of dramatic action, Tehran: Saqi.
- Tavasoli, Gholam Abbas (2010), Sociological Theories, 17th Ch., Tehran: Samt.
- Jafari Qhareh Ali, Hamid (2022), the function of lexical comparisons in the validation of enduring verses, Linguistic and Rhetorical Studies Quarterly, Year 13, Number 27, Spring 1401, pp. 124-91.
- Jahanbani, Masooud et al. (2022), review of Althusser's most important opinions and theoretical foundations, Quarterly Journal of Environmental Sciences and Geographical Sciences, third period, number 2, pp. 1-18.
- Khosravishakib, Mohammad (2022), Criticism and Pathology of the proverb "Don't be disgraced, be the same color as the crowd" with an emphasis on the deconstruction approach, bimonthly magazine of popular culture and literature, year 10, number 45, pp. 64-70.
- Khosravishakib, Muhammad (2023), Proverbs; A cultural tool to regulate and shape collective behavior, bimonthly magazine of popular culture and literature, year 11, number 49, pp. 218-193.
- Mir, Frederik (2021), narrative and collective action, translated by Elham Shushtrizadeh, third edition, Tehran: Atraf.
- Zoulfaqhari, Hassan (2008), review of proverbs at two lexical and syntactic levels, Isfahan Fanon Adabiri magazine, number and period 1, pp. 57-80.
- Zoulfaqhari, Hassan (2010), Aesthetics of Persian proverbs, serial number 1/58, Bostan Adab magazine, pp. 52-82.
- Sepeednamh, Behrouz. Ghasemi, Yarmohammad. Arin, Shaheen (2019), Dual confrontations in the proverbs of the people of Eilam, serial number 33, Farhang and Popular Literature, 213-179.
- Goold, Julis, Kolb, William (1996), Culture of Social Sciences, a group of translators, Tehran: Maziar.
- Fookuhi, Nasser (2012), History of Thought and Anthropological Theories, Tehran: Nei.
- Mohseni, Manoochehr (2004), Introduction to Sociology, Tehran: Douran.
- Meqhdadi, Bahram (1998), Glossary of Literary Criticism Terms, from Plato to the present age, Tehran: Fekr Rooz.
- Althusser, louis (1990), for Marx; (translated by ben Brewster), N.L.B, verso, London press.