The opposition "justice – injustice" in Russian and Chinese paroemias

­The chosen opposition "justice – injustice" is one of the basic concepts in the field of philosophy and religion, the ideas about these concepts reflect their assessment of behavior from the standpoint of values and ideals accepted in this society. In Russian explanatory dictionaries, "justice" is defined as follows:

"1. Property by value. adj. fair.

a). Acting impartially, in accordance with the truth.

b). Based on the requirements of justice.

c). Having a foundation, justified by a sense of justice.

d). Corresponding to the truth, the actual state of affairs; correct, true.

2. An impartial, fair attitude towards someone, something.

3. Compliance of human relations, laws, orders, etc. with moral and ethical, legal, etc. norms, requirements." ^{[1, 2]}

Having considered the definitions of the word "justice" in dictionaries, we can notice that in the Russian language such concepts as conformity to the truth, conformity of laws, an impartial attitude to someone, something, etc., go back to the concept of "justice".

In Chinese, the word justice contains two main meanings:

1).What you deserve and what you should do is deal with things that are reasonable and not biased towards any party or person, that is, everyone involved in social cooperation has responsibilities that should be shared and benefits that are due.

2).In the social process, all actions that contribute to the progress and development of human society and protect public interests and the legitimate rights and interests of other people.

In this paper, the concept of "justice" will be considered based on the analysis of paremiological units. The concept of "paremia" today includes various stable statements, more often of the folklore type. However, most often only proverbs and sayings, which are small forms of folk art, are included in the composition of paremias. Consequently, the term "paremia" is often understood as a general term for the combination of proverbs and sayings of a particular language ^{[3, p.77]}.

V. M. Mokienko argues that paremias are a broader layer of vocabulary, not limited only to proverbs and sayings. In his opinion, various linguistic phenomena can be called paremias: "from a figurative lexeme to a complete reproducible text" ^{[4, p.11]}.

However, in practice it turns out that the boundaries of paremias should be significantly reduced, and therefore paremias are understood as a concept combining proverbs and sayings. We will adhere to the same point of view in our study, considering that the term "paremia" correlates with the terms "proverb" and "saying" in the hierarchy from the general to the particular.

When studying the linguistic picture of the world, expressions of the significance of values through the opposite attitude are of particular interest. The opposite of the meanings of linguistic units of the same language level is commonly called an antonymy ^{[5, p.29]}.

Antonymic relations can exist within different levels of language, among which the most striking indicators are lexical antonyms, i.e. words of the same part of speech that are opposite in lexical meaning. Consequently, the main criterion for the classification of antonyms is semantic analysis. Many researchers (Yu.D. Apresyan, L.N. Novikov, etc.) carried out semantic classification of antonyms based on the concept of the so-called opposition.

The term "binary opposition" was first introduced into linguistics by the Russian linguist N. S. Trubetskoy. Binary opposition is commonly understood as "a universal means of rational description of the world, where two opposite concepts are simultaneously considered, one of which asserts a quality, and the other denies" ^{[6, p.72]}.

L. A. Novikov considers opposition as "the union of two different objects, the unity of the oppositional members is always formed using a concept implicitly containing both counter-terms and decomposing into an explicit opposition when they relate to a concrete reality."  ^{[7, p.136]}.

In other words, an antonymic pair is a semantic opposition.

In his work, N. S. Trubetskoy identifies three types of oppositions in relation to members:

1.  Privative opposition – one member of the opposition is characterized by the presence, and the other by the absence of a sign. Moreover, the absence of a sign is often expressed by morphological means. For example, "fair is unfair" (fair is characterized by the presence of justice, and the absence of justice with the help of a saying with a negation is not).

2.  Graduated (step-by-step) opposition – members of the oppositions are characterized by different degrees or gradations of the same attribute. For example, "warm – hot".

3. Equipolent (equivalent) opposition – both members of the oppositions are logically equal, that is, they are not two steps of any sign ^[8].

The logical structure of paroemias is "an invariant pair of oppositions, completely regardless of what realities this pair is represented by and in what relations these realities are to each other" ^{[9, p.280]}.

Paying attention to the oppositional structure, the researcher argues that "in the sayings of this structural type, you can find a variety of forms of proverbial oppositions," which he understands widely ^{[10, p.11]}.

According to N. S. Trubetskoy's classification of oppositions, "justice – injustice" can be considered a privative opposition. Justice is characterized by the presence of a trait, and injustice is characterized by the absence of justice.

The analysis of Russian paroemias expressing "justice" allows us to identify the following situations in which this feature is present:

1.        Compliance with the causal relationship

2.        Conformity to God's Will

3.        Compliance with the truth, the truth

4.        Conformity to human attitude, order, law

The percentage of the selected groups is shown in the following diagram:

Let's consider each of them.

1.        Compliance with the causal relationship

This group is the most extensive, it includes 13 paremias.

Justice can be revealed if the causal relationship is consistent, that is, a person will get what he deserves, justice appears in this meaning.What you sow, you will reap. What kind of work, such is the rewardWhat you deserve, you will get. On merit and honor. an eye for an eye, a tooth for a toothwell done good will be rewarded evil for evil.

Moreover, due to the absolutely equilibrium standard, the consequences may be undesirable, even inhuman, which reflects the cruel side of justice.

2.        Conformity to God's Will

The second largest number of paremias found is the influence of religion on culture, only 6 paremias are included in this group. Justice is present in accordance with God's will, it is God who determines justice. For example, the truth lives with God. In truth, God helps, but in untruth, he also kicks (punishes)

3.        Compliance with the truth, the truth.

The court will find the truth. There will be a trial, there will be a massacre.Justice constantly wins, truth stands on top. Before the truth, all people are equal.

4.        Conformity to human attitude, order, law

ExactingHail. Keep the court by the law. All people are equal before the law.

The presence of justice is expressed by the ability to fairly evaluate/judge something, someone. For example, in give/ reward(give/give away) due — to whom, to what. The court also judges the judge.

After analyzing the expression of "injustice" in Russian and Chinese paroemias, we have identified the following groups:

1.        Violation of the causal relationship

2.        Violation of God's will

3.        Violation of relations between people, violation of order, law

The percentage ratio of each group is the same, which is reflected in the diagram below.

Let's consider each of these groups.

1.        Violation of causality. When the consequence does not coincide with the cause, there is no justice.

For example, Grandma Sophia dries about everyone, but no one will sigh about her. The master has tops, and the peasant has roots.To repay with kindness for an offense. swallow a dislodged tooth.

2.        Violation of God's will.

God is the originator of all unrighteousness. Whoever lives by untruth, God will kill him

3.        Violation of human relations, order, law.

Cm.Troublemaker

Injustice can be expressed in the ability to unfairly evaluate/judge someone, anything. For example, guilty without guilt. Go/ go toGolgotha.

In our opinion, the following factors can be attributed to the reasons for identifying injustice:

1.        The relativity of justice

One of the important features of the manifestation of justice is its relativity, depending on the position of the subject. This feature is also represented by Russian and Chinese paroemias. For example, the law is a drawbar: wherever you want (you want, you turn), you will return there. The law is like a drawbar: where you return it, that's where it came out. The law is like a woman's law - judge one case differently.Everyone considers himself right, everyone insists on his own.

2.        The influence of an objective circumstance

The factors that lead to unfair treatment may be as follows:

a).      The number of people expressing a certain position. For example,

The truth is in the hands of most people

b). Availability of money. For example, There are a hundred rubles, so the truth is yours

c).      Own attitude. Cm.That's the law that the judge is familiar with. From whom the judge took, he became right. If you give the judge, you will win the truth

Let's consider the functioning of the opposition "justice – injustice" in artistic and journalistic texts.

l  Justice

In the "National Corpus of the Russian language" and electronic versions of the newspaper "Arguments and Facts" we found 87 texts in which there are parodies with the expression "justice". Let's look at some of them.

1.        ExactingHail

In literary texts, it is used to characterize people who are looking for better forms of life, social justice ^{[8, c160]}. For example,

Revolution is a stage on the way to eternity. When it has already begun, literature has done its job, and its goal moves to a new ideal distance. WallsJericho has fallen, but there is still more to comeJerusalem. Forward, seeking hail!   [Answers to the questionnaire "Art and Revolution" distributed by K. Chukovsky in Freedom and Life (1906)]

But it is not a rare case when this parody is used in an ironic sense, it is more common in the works of M. Gorky. For example,

From very concrete facts it draws not direct conclusions, but utopian ones, such as, for example, the hypothesis of a social, that is, in essence, a socialist revolution inRussia, a country of semi-savage people, what, for example, are these "seeking hail".  [Maxim Gorky. The life of Klim Samgin. Part 3 (1928)]

2.        To render/ to render due 

This unit is used in the meaning of fairly, to appreciate someone, something^[8].

In the "National Corpus of the Russian language" we found the following options for its functioning:

a). Use in the form of to give/ pay tribute

Isn't it time for the state to pay tribute to the pioneers of the over?the-horizon location - FranzKuzminsky and other scientists, designers who have worked and are working in order toRussia will be able to look beyond the horizon in the near future. (Alexander Babakin. Over-the-horizon epic (2001) // "Aerospace defense", 2001.07.15)

b). Replacement of the verb to give / to repay with the verb to give / to give

We must pay tribute to the staff of the Prosecutor's office, who did not solve the crime at any cost and did not take advantage of the opportunity to improve statistical reporting.  [Sergey Lyubimov. The ghost of the murdered woman got the wrong address (2003) // "Get rich" (Saratov), 2003.06.05]

3.        Who is worth what, who deserves what, everyone has their own

This unit contains "causality". For example,

But neither victory nor defeat prevented the players and the audience from paying tribute to the most honest, most impartial and most firm judge of all time, which, without exaggeration and discounts, was Named Lev. [Yuri Buida. By the name of the Lion (1998)]

The functioning of this unit in the texts reflects the special position of justice in Russian linguoculture ---- justice is the equalization of an exact measure, sometimes even adjoins the field of cruelty.

Life is generally bitter, but fair. To everyone ? on merit. [I. Grekova. Fracture (1987)]

Lord, I understand, I understand you! What you wish for your enemy, you will get yourself! [Andrey Belozerov. The Seagull (2001)]

4.        On merit , Vanka Cain was granted

The following options for the functioning of this paremia are possible

a).      Truncating components to "on merit/on merit"

b). Replacement of components

Cm.On merit, a thief is favored. On merit and a payment (payment – payment for something-L., payment for something-L.).

In journalistic texts, the functioning of this unit in the form of a phonetic language game (replacing the word salary with salary) performs, as it seems to us, a masking function:

Differentiated, or, in the words of the Minister of LaborAlexandraRepair, "salary on merit".

After all, if there is no extra money in education, healthcare and culture, then it is completely incomprehensiblewhere they may come from in the future. By introducing commercial services one-time? Perhaps, but only partially, and even then not in all regions.  [Oksana Karpova. State employees at the broken trough (2003) // "Time MN", 2003.07.28]

5.        On merit and honor

This paremia also contains the feature "causality", i.e. everyone is given what he deserves. Note that the consequence is possible both positive and negative.

Sister… ? Don't defend! It's her own fault. On merit and honor ... [Fedor Abramov. Pelageya (1967)]

The following options for the functioning of this paremia are possible:

1)        Truncating components to "on merit/on merit"

2) Replacement of components:

Cm.On merit and honor. According to merit and rank is given. On merit, the young man is favored (and honored by his patronage)

For example:

And if I am like that, howYou think that I will be able to do a lot ? and, consequently, my abilities and opportunities will be noticed, my career will grow, rise ? because good workers are needed everywhere: there will be merit and honor. [Michael Weller. Career to Nowhere (1988)]

6.        Who does not work, he does not eat

Reflecting the social consciousness of the Russian people, this paremia was widely used in journalistic texts in Soviet times. In accordance with the aspiration of communist ideology, this paremia was used as one of the moral resources, for example:

     "He who does not work does not eat." This simple and short line reflects a strict and strong system of socialist social discipline, without which there can be no society and there can be no individual freedom. (A. S. Makarenko. About Personality and Society (1936))

With the change in the way of life, the functioning of this language unit has also changed:

Werner promotes "grund" not just as an option for unemployment benefits, but precisely as a project of a new social structure in which people will not have to think about earning money. According toAccording to Werner, the idea that "who does not work, does not eat" should remain in the past. ? To think revolutionarily is to act evolutionarily," he saysGetzWerner in the interview channel WRD. [Yulia Vishnevetskaya. The ghost of communism. How to solve the question of human happiness once and for all // "Russian Reporter", No. 25 (104), 02-09 July 2009, 2009]

l Injustice

In the "National Corpus of the Russian language" we found 67 texts in which there are paroemias expressing "injustice".      Let's look at some of them.

1.        Guilty without guilt

This unit is more often used in literary texts when a character complains about injustice. For example,

Guilty without guilt.It turned out to be a huge surprise for me that there is a continuation of the amazing drama about school violence "Class". I didn't even read the reviews, because I knew that "Class: Life after" can't be a failed series. Do you remember the end of the picture? [collective. Forum: Reviews of the film "Class. Life After" (2011)]

Soviet writer Arkady Inin in his work touched on the topic of gender equality, using this parody.

Klyukin could not see when women cry at all. After all, if you look at it, then in ninety-nine cases out of a hundred they cry because of men. So, it's also his fault ? Klyukin. And now, guilty without guilt, he understood that he had no right to leave her in this difficult moment of life, when the girl's shoulders were shaking, black streams of mascara were streaming down her cheeks, and a curly curl near a tender ear was fluttering in the wind touchingly and defenselessly.  [Arkady Inin. Slap in the Face (1979))

In addition, the concept of "injustice" can be considered during the discussion of the topic of "virtues-vices", which is confirmed by the use of this parody in the journalistic text:

All the artists who did not understand the situation, out of youth and stupidity, "boycotted" me, then asked for forgiveness. Many have become wiser over the years, life has also left them, abandoned them, knocked on the head from all sides. Many of them have understood what it is like when a person without guilt is guilty. I am very glad that the artists of my generation (born and formed in the USSR) have become better, brighter, have learned to fight their demons, multiply virtue and eradicate vices.  [Aziza: "I have never met a better person than Igor Malakhov" //"Arguments and Facts", 10:02 10/04/2019]

2.        The law is a drawbar: wherever you want, you will return there

This unit is found in the historiosophical novel to describe the lack of justice under the tsarist government, see

However, according to the law… ? What is the law? ? drawbar. Wherever you want, you will return there.. The king listened attentively. This is his custom: when everyone is already drunk, a double guard is placed at the door with an order not to let anyone out. (D. S. Merezhkovsky. Peter and Alexey (1905))

The following options for the functioning of this paremia are possible:

1.        Truncation of components to "law – drawbar". For example,

 He just made it clear with a barely noticeable movement of his hand that ifVerevkin will refuse, his case is bad. ? Alley-go ahead, the law is a drawbar," he said with a grin and went to the headman, who was waiting for him, calmly smoking, sitting like a Buddha, with his legs crossed. [V. A. Kaverin. Seven Pairs of Unclean (1961)]

2. Replacement of components

See option: The law is that the drawbar, where you turn, it came out there

We live in a society where it is very convenient to tell lies. And it turns out that very often politicians act like chameleons, this is world practice, and then the law is like a drawbar: where it turned, it turned out. [Yana Poplavskaya: "I'm sick of naked asses and effeminate men" // Weekly magazine "Arguments and Facts" No. 30 26.]

3.        Go/ go toGolgotha

This paremia reflects following the path of torment, suffering (usually for a just, just cause) ^[8].  and belongs to the bookish, high style of speech.

The following options for the functioning of this paremia are possible:

1.        Truncating components to "onGolgotha." For example,

Twenty-six days. It's like climbing Calvary. But there would not have been this Golgotha, there would not have been the "Brothers Karamazov", because there would not have been a Grand Inquisitor (in the image of loving friends), whom Christ kissed when leaving.  [Elena and Valery Gordeev. Not all of us will die (2002)]

2. Component replacement: verb replacement to go/ go on the rise, see

Christians from all over the world are flying toJerusalem to pray on the spotThe Last Supper, climb onGolgotha, where, according to legend,Christ was crucified, to see his empty tomb with my own eyes. [D. V. Bavilsky. Alien Sun (2012)]

4.        Not on Senka and the hat

This paremia is widely used when describing a "violation of causality": someone is not worthy of what he has. Using it in literary texts can enhance the emotions of a character. For example,

 Lately I have often been afraid that what I have taken on myself is beyond my strength, the hat is not for Senka. If you were there, I would be able to, but you are not there, on the contrary, every day, with each of my transitions, you get further, and this makes me weak right before my eyes.   [Vladimir Sharov. The Resurrection of Lazarus (1997-2002))

In journalistic texts, the use of this paremia performs an aesthetic function. See

From my point of view, this is monstrous. After the World Cup, the main thing is to pay attention to our children, sports schools, equipment, coaches' salaries. If the club does not pull for the Premier League, it means that the cap is not for Senka. [Dmitry Guberniev: the number of curses flying at athletes is amazing// Weekly "Arguments and Facts" No. 52 26/12/2018]

(The study was carried out with the financial support of the Shenzhen Government and the MSU-PPI University in Shenzhen.)