Phraseological Expressions of Positive Human Qualities
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70036/cltls.v2i1.48Keywords:
Phraseology, Cultural Metaphors, Zoonymic Expressions, Linguistic Cognition, Cross-Cultural LinguisticsAbstract
Background: Within the bodies of knowledge of the Kyrgyz and English languages, phraseology has been studied along with its peculiarities, and special attention has been paid to their idioms and set phrases as bearers of a certain culture or thought. However, previous research has largely overlooked a comparative analysis of different cultures, particularly in the use of kennings and animal-based expressions to denote positive human qualities. Knowledge Gaps: Unlike existing studies, this research uniquely examines how sociocultural and historical factors influence the semantic evolution and contextual applications of animal-based idioms in both languages. Aims: The study seeks to analyze the cognitive and cultural dimensions of phraseological expressions and explore cross-cultural interpretations of these idioms. Results: A qualitative analysis within a cultural and cognitive paradigm revealed both lexical invariance (e.g., the fox as a symbol of cunning) and culture-specific variations. English phraseological units often draw from agrarian and literary traditions, while Kyrgyz expressions are deeply rooted in nomadic and pastoral heritage. Novelty: This research is the first to conduct an in-depth comparative study on the portrayal of positive human attributes in Kyrgyz and English through animal-based phraseological expressions, illustrating the impact of sociocultural factors on language use. Implications: The findings contribute to translation studies, intercultural communication, and anthropological linguistics by demonstrating how phraseology reflects cultural logic, historical evolution, and linguistic cognition.
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