Turkmen proverbs, an important part of the rich spiritual heritage of the Turkmen people that has been preserved for centuries, have been widely published in English and presented to international readers. The book titled “Makul English & Turkmen Proverbs,” prepared under the editorship of Doctor of Law Dovran Orazgylyjov, is currently available on the Amazon platform. The new publication has been registered in the Library of Congress with the number 2026909840.
The new work is a comprehensive collection of English and Turkmen proverbs, presenting English proverbs together with their Turkmen meanings, as well as Turkmen proverbs with their English equivalents. Proverbs are short but deeply meaningful expressions reflecting the historical roots, values, and life experiences of peoples, and this book demonstrates that they are not limited to a single nation but are part of the shared cultural heritage of humanity. During the preparation of the work, comparisons revealed that many proverbs are remarkably similar in meaning, and in some cases express the same ideas. This indicates the existence of deep cultural connections between peoples.
The book “Makul English & Turkmen Proverbs” is the third publication of the “Makul Language Project.” The first book of the project, “Makul English–Turkmen Dictionary,” has been included in the catalogs of prestigious institutions such as Harvard University, Stanford University, and New York Public Library. The second book, “Makul English–Turkmen Language Handbook,” has also been cataloged by the Library of Congress.
The main feature of the new publication is not the word-for-word translation of proverbs, but the clear presentation of their meaning and essence in another language. Therefore, this work is not only a translation book but also serves as an interpretive resource that builds meaningful bridges between different cultures. The author emphasizes that the book is not the result of an individual effort alone, but of the coordinated and patient work of the editorial board, expressing gratitude to all contributors. Belgian journalist Derya Soysal and the Director of the Makul Hyzmat Translation Center Shamil Roznazarov wrote the foreword and highlighted the importance of the new publication.
Among the Turkmen people, the widely known saying “If you have wisdom, follow reason; if you do not, follow proverbs” clearly reflects the role of proverbs in society. Indeed, proverbs are concise and powerful expressions of life experience and wisdom accumulated over centuries.
The publication of Turkmen proverbs in English makes an important contribution to the recognition of Turkmen culture in the international arena. Through this book, Turkmen readers can better understand other cultures, while foreign readers can become acquainted with the deep wisdom of the Turkmen people.
EDITORIAL TEAM AND DESIGN
Under the leadership of Dovran Orazgylyjov, several scholars and specialists participated in the preparation of this project. The editorial team includes:
Amangeldi Baygeldiyev — Candidate of Philosophical Sciences
Azat Nazarov — Linguist
Christopher Wizda — Educator and international development professional
Shamil Roznazarov — Director of “Makul Hyzmat” Translation Center
Dovran Orazgylyjov — Doctor of Law, author and chief editor
The computer design of the guide was carried out by Ysmayyl Orazgylyjov.
Makul Hyzmat – support
The “Makul Dictionary” project is supported and developed by the Makul Hyzmat Translation Center. This center plays an important role in the development of the project, expansion of its content, and its promotion at the international level.
Mobile applications and digital platform
“Makul Dictionary” is also available as a mobile application:
iOS (App Store)
Android (Google Play)
Application features:
voice dictionary
fast search system
database of more than 25,000 words
multilingual capabilities