Iwczenko, Jarosława: A Gentleman in a Green Costume. The Devil in Sorbian Paroemiology and Phraseology
Lětopis Abstract 2008 2: Iwczenko, Jarosława: A Gentleman in a Green Costume. The Devil in Sorbian Paroemiology and Phraseology
This article represents an attempt to restore the image of the Devil in Sorbian phraseology and paroemiology. Based on cognitive linguistics and an
ethnolinguistic approach as one of its branches in particular, the author creates a complex portrait of the mythological creature by comparing
language information with noted beliefs, stories and other texts, as well as with common Slav mythology. The portrait is formed by three groups of
typical motifs, which are “the Anthropomorphic Devil,” “the Devil representing the Other World” and “the Devil in the Christian context.” As a result
of the contamination of two traditions – Christian and pagan, which is typical for folk mythology in Slav cultures, some of the motifs presented are
hard to define clearly. The background of the “double-group” motifs is also explained. A cognitive definition of the Devil is suggested to summarize
the description and his place in the Slav system of beliefs.
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