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EXPRESSION OF NATIONAL MENTALITY IN PHRASEOLOGICAL UNITS: A
COMPARATIVE STUDY OF UZBEK AND FRENCH LANGUAGES
Badalova Khamidakhon Khakimjonovna
Lecturer at the Department of Uzbek Language, Literature and Languages,
Andijan State Medical Institute
Abstract:
This article explores the expression of national mentality through phraseological units
in the Uzbek and French languages. Phraseologisms reflect cultural values, worldview, and socio-
historical experience embedded in language. By analyzing selected idiomatic expressions from
both languages, this study identifies culturally specific elements and universal conceptual
metaphors. The research highlights how phraseological units serve as linguistic markers of
national identity, shaped by traditions, lifestyles, and environmental contexts. The findings
suggest that while some idioms are cross-culturally understandable due to shared human
experiences, others are deeply rooted in national consciousness, thus playing a key role in
intercultural communication and language learning.
Keywords:
phraseological units, national mentality, idioms, Uzbek language, French language,
linguistic worldview, cultural values
Language is not only a system of communication but also a repository of the cultural and
historical experience of a nation. Among the various linguistic means that reflect national
consciousness, phraseological units occupy a prominent place. These idiomatic expressions, often
metaphorical and culturally loaded, encapsulate values, beliefs, emotions, and norms specific to
the people who use them.
In recent years, the study of phraseology has gained significant attention in the fields of linguistics,
cultural studies, and translation. Phraseological units are considered “cultural markers” that reveal
the peculiarities of a nation's worldview. For instance, the metaphorical image of “bread and salt”
in Uzbek idioms symbolizes hospitality and respect, which stems from traditional social values,
whereas in French, idioms such as
“avoir le cœur sur la main”
(to have the heart on the hand)
reflect openness and generosity, rooted in Western cultural ideals.
The national mentality — a set of socially and historically conditioned traits that characterize a
specific community — finds vivid expression in the language, especially through fixed
expressions. Studying these units enables a deeper understanding of how people conceptualize
reality, interact socially, and evaluate behaviors.
This article focuses on the comparative analysis of phraseological units in Uzbek and French to
explore how national mentality is manifested in these two culturally distinct languages. Uzbek
represents a Turkic and Islamic cultural tradition, while French belongs to the Romance language
family, influenced by Enlightenment rationalism and European secularism. Comparing idiomatic
expressions from these languages allows us to observe both culturally specific and universal
elements in human cognition and communication.
The main aim of this study is to identify:
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how phraseological units in Uzbek and French reflect national mentality;
what cultural values are embedded in them;
which expressions are unique to one culture and which are shared due to universal human
experience.
Understanding these aspects is crucial not only for linguists but also for language learners,
translators, and those involved in intercultural communication.
METHODS
This research applies a qualitative and comparative approach to analyze how phraseological units
reflect national mentality in Uzbek and French languages. The primary aim was to identify
culturally specific and universal features embedded in idiomatic expressions through linguistic
and cultural comparison.
A total of 100 phraseological units were selected for analysis, comprising 50 commonly used
idioms from each language. The selection was based on their frequency, metaphorical content,
and cultural relevance. The data were collected from various reliable sources, including:
Phraseological dictionaries such as
“O‘zbek tilining izohli frazeologik lug‘ati”
and
“Le Petit
Robert des expressions et locutions”
;
Literary texts and modern journalistic materials;
Online linguistic corpora and digital databases.
Each idiom was subjected to semantic and cultural analysis. First, idioms were grouped according
to their thematic categories, such as:
Emotions and psychological states (e.g., fear, anger, happiness),
Social behavior and values (e.g., honesty, hospitality),
Family and relationships,
Nature and environment,
Religious or historical allusions.
Secondly, metaphorical imagery and conceptual structure were examined to understand how each
expression reflects specific cultural models. Particular attention was paid to idioms involving
traditional values, div parts, animals, food, and environmental features, which often reveal the
unique cognitive worldview of the language speakers.
Finally, a comparative analysis was conducted to identify both:
Culture-bound idioms
that are unique to one language and rooted in national traditions;
Shared metaphorical concepts
that appear in both languages due to universal human
experiences, such as emotional expression or bodily perception.
This method allowed for a deep exploration of how phraseological expressions serve as a
linguistic mirror of the national mentality in Uzbek and French.
RESULTS
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The comparative analysis of Uzbek and French phraseological units revealed a number of insights
regarding the cultural and mental patterns reflected in each language. The results are presented
according to thematic categories and illustrate both culturally specific and universally shared
concepts.
1. Culturally Specific Idioms
a) Uzbek Phraseological Units
Uzbek idioms strongly reflect a collectivist worldview, agricultural traditions, Islamic values, and
respect for elders and family structures. For example:
“Eshikdan kirib, derazadan chiqdi”
(He entered through the door but exited through the
window) — This idiom conveys the idea of someone being deceitful or unwilling to face
problems directly, which reflects a cultural emphasis on honesty and accountability.
“Yuziga qaramay qozonga tupurdi”
(He spat into the pot without looking at the face) —
Expresses severe ingratitude, an unacceptable behavior in Uzbek culture, where hospitality
and reciprocity are highly valued.
“Boshini egsa, el tanidi”
(When he bows his head, the people respect him) — Highlights the
cultural importance of humility, modesty, and submission to elders or authority.
b) French Phraseological Units
French idioms, in contrast, reflect an individualist culture rooted in rationalism, secularism, and a
more urban, modern worldview. For instance:
“Mettre la charrue avant les bœufs”
(To put the cart before the oxen) — Indicates illogical or
disorganized actions, reflecting the French cultural value placed on logical sequencing and
rational thinking.
“Avoir un poil dans la main”
(To have a hair in the hand) — Describes a lazy person,
highlighting the societal criticism of inactivity and unproductiveness.
“Se faire tirer l’oreille”
(To have one’s ear pulled) — Suggests reluctance to obey or act,
often used humorously to describe stubborn or independent behavior.
2. Shared Universal Metaphors
Despite their cultural differences, both languages share certain metaphorical structures rooted in
human experience. These universal idioms show how emotions, div parts, and natural
phenomena are used similarly to express meaning.
Emotion & Restraint
Uzbek:
“Tilini tishladi”
(He bit his tongue)
French:
“Se mordre la langue”
(To bite one’s tongue)
→ Both idioms symbolize the act of refraining from speaking out of self-control or
politeness.
Coldness as Emotional Detachment
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Uzbek:
“Yuragi muzdek bo‘ldi”
(His heart became like ice)
French:
“Avoir le cœur froid”
(To have a cold heart)
→ These idioms describe someone who is emotionally distant or unfeeling.
Surprise
Uzbek:
“Ko‘zlari qulog‘iga chiqdi”
(His eyes went to his ears)
French:
“Les yeux sortent de la tête”
(Eyes pop out of the head)
→ Expressing extreme surprise or shock.
3. Dominant Themes by Culture
These findings illustrate that while idioms in both languages reflect human emotions and behavior,
they do so through culturally shaped lenses. Uzbek idioms tend to emphasize social harmony,
modesty, and respect for tradition, while French idioms reflect critical thinking, individuality, and
emotional expressiveness.
DISCUSSION
The comparative analysis of Uzbek and French phraseological units demonstrates that idioms are
powerful linguistic tools for expressing the national mentality of a people. The results indicate
that while some idioms share universal metaphorical structures, others are deeply rooted in
specific cultural, historical, and religious contexts, making them unique to each language.
1. Cultural Reflection through Idioms
In Uzbek, many idioms are derived from a traditional lifestyle, reflecting values such as
collectivism, respect for elders, and hospitality. This is consistent with Uzbekistan's agrarian
history and strong influence of Islamic teachings. Idioms like
“Yuziga qaramay qozonga tupurdi”
and
“Boshini egsa, el tanidi”
illustrate how morality and modesty are linguistically encoded.
By contrast, French idioms often reflect a rational, secular, and individualistic worldview.
Expressions such as
“Mettre la charrue avant les bœufs”
or
“Se faire tirer l’oreille”
emphasize
Theme
Uzbek Idioms
French Idioms
Hospitality
Bread, salt, guest imagery
Rare
Religion & Morality Reward, fate, halal concepts
Secular metaphors, logic, reason
Nature & Agriculture Cotton, sheep, harvest metaphors Urban and mechanical metaphors
Emotion
Expressed
indirectly
through
metaphors
Expressed
directly,
sometimes
humorously
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logic, independence, and a more analytical approach to behavior. This aligns with France’s
Enlightenment heritage and urbanized society.
These findings support the idea that phraseological units serve as a cultural lens through which
speakers perceive and interpret reality.
2. Universality vs. Cultural Specificity
While many idioms are culture-bound, others reflect universal experiences. Shared idioms such as
“biting the tongue”
for self-restraint or
“cold heart”
for emotional distance appear in both
languages. These expressions suggest that certain human emotions and physical sensations are
conceptualized similarly across cultures.
However, the imagery used to construct idioms still varies. For instance, Uzbek idioms often
reference food (
non, tuz
), animals (
quyon, echki
), or religious concepts (
taqdir, qismat
), while
French idioms may use mechanical or urban metaphors (e.g.,
tourner en rond
– “to go around in
circles”).
3. Implications for Linguistics and Intercultural Communication
These insights have important implications:
For
linguists
, they provide evidence of how language and culture are interwoven at a deep
cognitive level.
For
language learners and translators
, awareness of culturally specific idioms is essential
to avoid misinterpretation.
For
intercultural communicators
, understanding these differences can improve empathy,
dialogue, and mutual respect.
This study reaffirms that phraseological units are not only linguistic artifacts but also cultural
codes that emdiv the collective memory and identity of a people.
CONCLUSION
This study demonstrates that phraseological units are significant carriers of national mentality,
reflecting the unique cultural, social, and historical experiences of language communities.
Through a comparative analysis of Uzbek and French idioms, the research identified both
culturally specific expressions and universally shared metaphorical patterns.
Uzbek phraseological units emphasize social harmony, respect for tradition, and communal values,
often rooted in Islamic and agrarian contexts. French idioms, on the other hand, reflect
individualism, rational thought, and secular values, consistent with the Western European
worldview.
Despite these differences, both languages employ similar conceptual metaphors to express
emotions and social behavior, indicating that certain aspects of human cognition transcend
cultural boundaries.
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The findings of this study underline the importance of idioms as not merely linguistic ornaments
but as profound indicators of how different societies understand the world. Greater awareness of
phraseological units and their cultural meanings can significantly enhance language learning,
translation accuracy, and intercultural communication.
Future research may expand on this study by including more languages or by analyzing the
reception and interpretation of idioms in bilingual or multilingual speakers, offering deeper
insights into the relationship between language, culture, and identity.
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