Cultural values and their verbalization
As many researchers assert, one of the most important constituents of culture are cultural values represented in the language (N.F. Alefirenko, Heidegger, D. Likhachyov, R. D’Andrade). Cultural values are general concepts people accept and believe in; properties we ascribe to objects and actions we think of as ethically good or wrong. They constitute norms not only for one cultural group or community but also for individuals. According to N.F. Alefirenko, the following types of cultural values are widely represented in the language (Алефиренко, 2010):
vital: life, health, living, environment;
social: social status, profession, wealth, gender equality, tolerance;
political: freedom, democracy, lawfulness, peace;
religious: God, faith, sacred laws, salvation, blessing;
moral: goodness, kindness, friendship, honour, decency;
aesthetic: beauty, ideal, harmony, lifestyle.
These cultural values can be subdivided into universal, national, group, family, individual:
Universal values are the values which are highly recognized by the majority of people. To these values we refer the masterpieces of art, sustained morals (love, respect, honesty, compassion, wisdom, beauty and others.). These morals are common for the people of all nations and religions.
National values play a significant role in the life of every nation and individual. These values predetermine the national specificity of culture. For example, “Louvre” for French culture, “Big Ben” for English culture, the “Statue of Liberty” for American culture, etc.
Group values unite a relatively small group of people according to their residence and age: they reflect some social group preferences (rockers, punks, etc.).
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