Abstract
Proverbs serve as a form of guidance transmitted from generation to generation through social memory. Trauma occurs as a result of life events with high impact value and has the potential to negatively affect the individuals in the long term. In the treatment of trauma, verbalizing experiences and establishing a connection between past experiences and current life are of critical importance. For this reason, folkloric elements such as stories, metaphors, proverbs, and sayings are used in therapeutic context. This study examines how the theme of trauma is addressed in Turkish proverbs. Additionally, by understanding the culturally embedded approaches to trauma reflected in these proverbs, the study aims to highlight the characteristics of proverbs and their meanings that may be applicable in therapeutic settings.. The research was conducted throug document analysis and content analysis. As a result of the analysis, 32.667 proverbs were examined and the theme of trauma in proverbs was examined under seven distinct (Responses to trauma, post-traumatic growth and resilience, narration and processing of the traumatic event, social support and societal perception, fate, belief and acceptance, psychological and social effects of trauma, hope and perspectives on treatment.) categories include 59 proverbs. The findings revealed that Turkish proverbs demonstrate a constructive approach toward negative life events, emphasizing acceptance and moving on.. Furthermore, the themes of social support and narration of the events, along with emphasize the protection of confidentiality regarding lived experiences,which may be interpreted as the reflecting the importance attributed to privacy in Turkish culture and a cautious approach to trust towards the social environment, although this also carries inherent risks. In conclusion, the simultaneous use of fatalistic/accepting and growth/hope-oriented language in proverbs can be used as a helpful element in therapeutic applications for understanding and coping with trauma.
Keywords
Trauma, proverbs, turkish culture, folk memory, cultural transmission