International Journal Of Literature And Languages
74
https://theusajournals.com/index.php/ijll
VOLUME
Vol.05 Issue03 2025
PAGE NO.
74-77
10.37547/ijll/Volume05Issue03-19
The role of somatisms in polysemantic phraseological
units: a cognitive and cultural feature
Alimjanova Shohsanam Azamat qizi
3rd year PhD student at the National University of Uzbekistan named after Mirzo Ulugbek, Uzbekistan
Received:
20 January 2025;
Accepted:
21 February 2025;
Published:
23 March 3025
Abstract:
Somatisms are phraseological units containing div-related components. They play an important role
in the semantic and cognitive development of language. This article studies how somatic components contribute
to polysemy, analyzing their metaphorical, emotional, cognitive, and cultural aspects. Using theories from
cognitive linguistics, including conceptual metaphor theory (Lakoff & Johnson, 1980), this study explains how
somatisms develop polysemantic meanings in the Uzbek and English languages. The findings show the universal
and culturally specific nature of somatic components in polysematic phraseological units (PUs).
Keywords:
Somatic components, phraseological units, polysemy, cognitive linguistics, metaphorical expressions,
semantic universality, cognitive metaphor theory.
Introduction:
The term “somaticˮ was first introduced
into linguistics by Estonian scholar F. Vack, who
observed that div-part terms are one of the most
ancient linguistic foundations of phraseology [Vack,
1950]. He argued that somatic expressions are deeply
rooted in human cognition, serving as stable elements
of language.
Building on Vack’s work, E.M.
Mordkovich introduced the concept of “phraseological
somatismˮ, applying it to Russian
phraseology. In his
study
“Semantic
-thematic
groups
of
somatic
phraseologismsˮ, he categorized these expressions into
cognitive, emotional, and action-oriented groups
[Mordkovich, 1965].
In English linguistics, Logan Smith emphasized the
enormous presence of div-part-based phraseology,
arguing that it enriches figurative language [Smith,
1925]. He classified English somatic idioms into
categories such as vision-related, heart-related, and
hand-related expressions.
Somatic components of phraseological units include
references to div parts such as the heart, head, eyes,
hands, or stomach. These expressions are often
polysemantic, which express multiple meanings
depending on context, cultural influences, and
cognitive mechanisms. Many linguists, such as Piirainen
(2012), Kövecses (2002), and Wierzbicka (1999), argue
that somatic phraseology reflects universal human
cognition while also being shaped by cultural
interpretations. For example, Uzbek polysemantic
phraseological unit “ko‘ngli to‘ldiˮ (His heart is full)
illustrates how bodily metaphors create multiple
meaning, ranging from satisfaction to emotional
fulfillment. In this article, we try to study and analyze
that how somatisms create polysemy in phraseology,
the cognitive and cultural basis of phraseologisms with
somatic component and comparative analysis of
polysemy in phraseological units with somatisms in
Uzbek and English.
In the 80s of the XX century, linguists Lakoff and
Johnson introduced conceptual metaphor theory
(CMT) in cognitive linguistics which examines how
somatic expressions emerge from bodily experiences.
A key principle of CMT is that abstract concepts are
understood through bodily experience. Linguist
explains that conceptual structure is meaningful
because it is embodied, that is, it arises from, and is tied
to, our preconceptual bodily experiences. [Lakoff,
1987: 267]. Since the div is a universal reference
point, expressions related to heart, hands, and eyes are
found in many languages. His theory helps explain how
somatic phraseological units create polysemy. For
example, the metaphor “THE HEART IS A CONTAINER
FOR
EMOTIONSˮ
underlies
polysemantic
phraseological units in Uzbek and English cultures:
International Journal Of Literature And Languages
75
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International Journal Of Literature And Languages (ISSN: 2771-2834)
-
Uzbek: Ko‘ngli to‘ldi (His heart is full) → Satisfaction,
contentment.
-
English: My heart is full →
Emotional fulfillment.
According to this universal, somatic phraseological
units stem from underlying human experiences.
However, their interpretation is shaped by cultures
[Kövecses, 2005]. Cognitive linguists argue that
polysemy arises from conceptual mappings between
physical
experiences
and
abstract
meanings
[Langacker, 2008: 37-38]. Kövecses studies how
emotions, culture, and cognition shape language and
explains that there are three cognitive mechanisms
that contribute to polysemy in somatic phraseological
units [Kövecses, 2002: 183-195]:
1. Metaphorical extension is that abstract emotions are
described using bodily terms. For example:
-
“Ko‘zi ochildiˮ (Uzbek) → gained wisdom (literal: His
eyes opened). -
“Opened his eyesˮ (English) →
realized the truth.
2. In metonymic shifts, a div part represents an
associated emotion or action. For example:
-
“Yuragi yorildiˮ (Uzbek) → can mean either extreme
joy or deep sorrow.
-
“His heart burstˮ (English) →
overwhelmed with emotions.
3. Cultural conceptualization is another means because
of polysemy can be culture-specific. For example:
-
“Boshi osmonga yetdiˮ (Uzbek, literal: “His head
reached the skyˮ) → extreme happiness.
-
“On cloud nineˮ (English, metaphorical equivalent) →
extreme happiness.
Thus, somatic expressions
develop multiple meanings due to metaphorical,
metonymic, and cultural shifts [Dobrovol’skij &
Piirainen, 2005: 91-93].
According to Lakoff &
Johnson [1980: 30], bodily experiences shape abstract
thought, leading to universal cognitive metaphors. The
metaphor “THE HEART AS A CONTAINER FOR
EMOTIONSˮ appears in multiple languages, supporting
the cognitive universality of somatisms.
Wierzbicka (1999) argues that somatic phraseology
reflects culturally specific worldviews. While the div
is universal, its symbolic meanings vary across
languages. For example:
-
Uzbek: “Qo‘li ochiqˮ (open
-
handed person) →
generous.
-
English: “Open
-
handedˮ → can mea
n generous but
also literal openness.
Such differences highlight how
culture influences the semantic range of somatic
phraseological units and the role of cultural symbolism
in phraseology [Piirainen, 2012: 47-48].
Somatic expressions can be classified based on their
functional roles in language. This classification supports
the idea that somatisms contribute to polysemy by
allowing multiple layers of interpretation [Kövecses,
2002: 183-195]:
Types of
somatism
Definition
Example (Uzbek)
Polysemantic meanings
Metaphoric
al
Uses div-
related terms
to represent
abstract
concepts
Koʻngli toʻlmoq
(Heart is full)
Pleased:
Ikkovi ham
o‘g‘illaridan ko‘ngillari to‘lib
suhbatlashayotganlari bilinib
turardi. P.Qodirov. Uch ildiz.
or satisfied:
Ishning bu
tomonidan ko‘ngli to‘lgan
Jo‘raboy xotirjam dala
aylanadi. S.Ahmad. Qadrdon
dalalar
1. Metaphorical Extension
2. Metonymic Shifts
3. Cultural Conceptualization
International Journal Of Literature And Languages
76
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International Journal Of Literature And Languages (ISSN: 2771-2834)
Emotional
Expresses
feelings with
bodily terms
Yuragi qinidan
chiqmoq
(Heart
leaps)
Happiness:
Qizning paranjisini
ko‘rish bilanoq yigitning
yuragi qinidan chiqayozdi.
Yerga mahkam tiralgan qo‘pol
etikli og‘ir oyoqlari bir zumda
zir titrab ketdi. Oybek. Qutlug‘
qon.
or anxiety:
Qo‘rqmayman deb
bo‘lmaydi, o‘g‘lim, shunaqa
vaqtda odamning yuragi
qinidan chiqib ketdi. A.Qahhor.
Qo‘shchinor chiroqlari.
Cognitive
Express
awareness or
knowledge
Koʻzi ochilmoq
(Eyes opened)
Realization:
Bo‘taboy aka
ko‘zimni ochganlaridan keyin
yangichasiga ham mashqimni
raso qilish maqsadida astoydil
o‘qidim. A.Qahhor.
Qo‘shchinor chiroqlari.
or being alerted:
«Vey,
yaxshilar, ko‘zni ochaylik!»
deydigan biron zabonlik mard
yo‘g‘-a!.. X.Do‘stmuhammad.
Jajman.
Symbolic
Represents
cultural
features
Bagʻri keng (Open-
hearted)
Generosity:
Gap unda emas,
yigit, sahromiz keng, bag‘rimiz
undan ham keng. H.Nazir.
Odamning qadri.
or welcoming:
Ularga
shaharning bag‘ri keng edi.
P.Tursun. O‘qituvchi.
International Journal Of Literature And Languages
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International Journal Of Literature And Languages (ISSN: 2771-2834)
Action-
oriented
Describes
behaviours or
habits with
somatisms
Tilini tiymoq (Bite
oneʼs tongue)
Refraining from expressing
oneʼs opinion:
«Tilini
tiymaganlarning tilini kes,
og‘ziga qo‘rg‘oshin eritib
quy», – deb bitilgan!»
S.Anorboyev. Oqsoy.
Stop speaking:
Har muddai
tilini tiysa bo‘lurmi, bo‘lmas.
S.Saroyi. Gulistoni bit-turkiy.
This study demonstrates that somatisms play a key role
in phraseology by creating polysemy through
metaphorical, emotional, and cultural extensions.
While the cognitive basis of somatic expressions is
universal, their linguistic realizations vary across
cultures. Future research could explore how somatic
phraseology evolves over time and how modern usage
affects its polysemy.
REFERENCES
Dobrovol’skij, D., & Piirainen, E. (2005). Figurative
Language:
Cross-Cultural
and
Cross-Linguistic
Perspectives. Elsevier.
Kövecses,
Z.
(2002).
Metaphor:
A
Practical
Introduction. Oxford University Press.
Lakoff, G., & Johnson, M. (1980). Metaphors We Live
By. University of Chicago Press.
Mordkovich, E.M. (1965). Semantic-Thematic Groups
of Somatic Phraseologisms. Moscow State University
Press.
Smith, L. (1925). The Figurative Power of Body-Part
Expressions in English Idioms. Oxford University Press.
Piirainen, E. (2012). Widespread Idioms in Europe and
Beyond. Peter Lang.
Vack, F. (1950). On the Role of Body Part Names in
Estonian Phraseology. Tartu University Press.
Wierzbicka, A. (1999). Emotions Across Languages and
Cultures: Diversity and Universals. Cambridge
University Press.
