The Image of a European as He is Viewed by Russian people (based on Proverbs and Sayings, collected by V.I. Dahl’)

Abstract

The article deals with the image of a European as he is treated by Russian people. The material used for the analysis is Russian folk proverbs and sayings which were collected by V.I. Dahl’. Folklore is representation of national mentality. Russian paroemia vocabulary, as well as folklore in general, is a vision of other nations by the Russian one. Stereotypical perception is a combination of mythological concepts, real contacts, peculiarity of folklore material treatment by national mentality and functioning of a particular genre – oral folklore. The author shows the reflection of military and household contacts of Russian and European male worlds. The role of the female contacts between the nations is in the periphery. In general, Europeans are often negatively characterized (they are bad soldiers, sometimes physical handicapped, stupid; they can steal something, etc.). Positive features of Europeans are rare (but there are some exceptions). General assessment of the European in proverbs is made from the aspect of benefit or harm that the Russian can get from him.