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A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF PHRASEOLOGICAL UNITS RELATED TO
PROFESSIONS IN ENGLISH AND UZBEK LANGUAGES
Akhmedova Zulfiya Guseynovna -
SamSIFL
Abstract.
Phraseological units play an important role in reflecting the cultural,
social and professional realities of the linguistic community. This article examines
phraseological units related to the profession in English and Uzbek, analyzes their
structure, semantics, cultural connotations and usage. This study highlights both
common features and differences due to linguistic and socio-cultural factors.
Key words:
Phraseological units, idioms, set expressions, comparative
linguistics, cultural semantics, figurative language, sociolinguistics, pragmatic
function, fixed expressions.
Introduction.
Phraseological units, or idiomatic expressions, are stable
combinations of words, the meaning of which is often figurative and is not derived
from the literal meaning of their individual components. Many of these units are based
on professional terminology reflecting society's attitudes towards certain professions.
Both English and Uzbek are rich in phraseology, but cultural and historical
differences lead to different ways of conceptualizing professions. This comparative
study explores how professions are encoded idiomatically in these two languages and
what such expressions say about cultural values and worldviews.
Phraseological units, also called idioms or stable expressions, have been the focus
of linguistic and cultural research for decades. Scientists such as A. V. Kunin (1996)
define phraseological units as stable phrases with a figurative meaning, often connected
culturally and historically. In English linguistics, the study of idioms has shifted from
structural classification (Fernando, 1996) to cognitive and pragmatic approaches that
explore how idioms reflect social realities, including attitudes towards professions.
In literary studies, idioms are not just decorative language but serve to build
character identity, reveal social roles, and enhance cultural realism. For instance, the
phrase “a cog in the machine” in George Orwell’s works symbolizes depersonalization
in bureaucratic professions. Similarly, “a light touch” in medical contexts reflects
ethical expectations of doctors in narrative fiction.
The integration of professional phraseology into literature reveals ideological
stances toward work, class, and morality. As scholars like Gläser (1984) suggest,
idiomatic expressions in fiction are highly contextual, tied to the author’s worldview
and the reader’s cultural competence.
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Phraseological units can be classified into: Idioms (e.g., “bite the dust”), Phrasal
verbs (e.g., “carry out”), Collocations (e.g., “hard-working teacher”), Proverbs and
sayings (e.g., “A good doctor saves more lives than a soldier”).
In this study, we focus primarily on idioms and figurative expressions related to
professions.
A backseat driver – A person (not the driver) who gives unwanted advice,
especially someone interfering in someone else's job.
Professionally rooted in driving, but figuratively used in management,
relationships, etc.
Too many chiefs and not enough Indians – Too many leaders and not enough
workers.
From Native American professions, reflecting on organizational imbalance.
Hammer and tongs – To fight or work with great energy or force.
From blacksmithing, implies intensity in any professional or emotional
interaction.
Pull rank – To use one's superior position to gain advantage.
Military origin, now common in corporate contexts.
Paper pusher – A person whose job is mostly bureaucratic and not action-based.
Reflects criticism of office jobs as meaningless.
Jack of all trades, master of none – A person who knows a bit of everything but
isn’t an expert in anything.
Refers to multiskilled workers, often with a negative tone.
Examples in Uzbek and Their Interpretation
Temirchi bo‘lsa ham, qo‘li gul – Even if he’s a blacksmith, his hands are like
flowers (skilled, gentle).
Reflects respect for manual labor and craftsmanship.
Qo‘li yengil shifokor – A doctor with a “light hand” (skilled, causes no pain).
High regard for medical professionals.
O‘qituvchi – mehnat fidoyisi – The teacher is a devotee of labor.
Highlights the respect and moral status of teachers in Uzbek society.
Hokim – xalq xizmatkori – A governor is a servant of the people.
Emphasizes responsibility and humility in governance.
Yozuvchining qalamiga suv kelgan – The writer’s pen has found water (he is in
spired or productive).
A poetic way to talk about a writer’s success.
Etikdo‘zning etikisi yirtilgan – The shoemaker’s shoes are torn.
Similar to English “The shoemaker's children go barefoot” – a professional
neglects their own needs.
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Here is a table providing comparative insides of phraseological units related to
professions in English and Uzbek languages:
Aspect
English
Uzbek
Cultural reflection
Individualistic, ironic,
and hierarchical
Respectful, collectivist,
moralistic
Most common
professions
Soldier, manager, driver,
office worker
Teacher, doctor, writer,
craftsman
Tone of expressions
Often sarcastic or critical Often respectful or poetic
Function
Humor, criticism, social
commentary
Praise, advice, cultural
identity
English phraseological units tend to use professions for ironic or metaphorical
purposes, often to criticize behavior or inefficiency. Uzbek phraseological units often
elevate professions with poetic imagery, reflecting deep respect especially toward
teachers, doctors, and artisans.
In English, many idioms reflect corporate, military, and bureaucratic hierarchies,
mirroring the structure of Western economies and institutions. In Uzbek, idioms often
reflect communal values, craftsmanship, and reverence for education, shaped by both
traditional rural life and Soviet-influenced respect for intellectual labor.
Phraseological units related to professions in English and Uzbek offer rich insight
into each culture’s values and historical experiences. While both languages draw from
professional domains to create vivid expressions, English leans toward sarcasm and
metaphor, while Uzbek emphasizes respect and poetic expression.
Understanding these differences is crucial not only for linguists but also for
translators, cross-cultural communicators, and language learners. The way we speak
about professions idiomatically reflects much more than just language—it reveals how
we view work, people, and society itself.
References:
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3.
Fernando, C. (1996). Idioms and Idiomaticity. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Focuses on structural, pragmatic, and functional properties of idioms in English.
4.
Fernando, C. Idioms and Idiomaticity. 1996.
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5.
Gläser, R. (1984). "The Stylistic Potential of Phraseological Units in the Light of
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