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ANTHROPOCENTRIC ANALYSIS OF SOMATIC PHRASEOLOGICAL UNITS IN
ENGLISH AND UZBEK LANGUAGES
Gulirukhsor Ruzikulova Gofur kizi
PhD Doctoral Student at Samarkand State Institute of Foreign Languages
Email: gulirukhsorruzikulova@gmail.com
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14893782
ABSTRACT:
This study explores the anthropocentric analysis of somatic phraseological
units in English and Uzbek languages. Since phraseological units reflect a nation's worldview,
somatic expressions (related to div parts) provide valuable insights into cognitive and
cultural frameworks. This research employs a comparative method to identify commonalities
and differences in conceptualization patterns between the two languages. Additionally, a
linguocultural approach is applied to examine how human-centered cognition influences
phraseological meaning. The findings indicate that while many somatic phraseological units
share universal cognitive bases, their semantic development is significantly shaped by cultural
and linguistic traditions. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the interrelation
between language, cognition, and culture in phraseology.
Keywords
: phraseological units, somatic expressions, anthropocentrism, cognitive
linguistics, linguoculture, English, Uzbek.
INTRODUCTION
Language is deeply intertwined with human cognition and culture, particularly in the
realm of phraseology. Phraseological units encapsulate a nation's worldview, mentality, and
historical experience. Among them, somatic phraseological units hold a distinctive place, as
they are directly related to human div parts, reflecting the conceptual and cultural perception
of the world.
Both English and Uzbek languages possess a rich collection of phraseological expressions,
including somatic units that exhibit both similarities and differences. For instance, the English
phrase "keep a cool head" and the Uzbek phrase "boshini yo‘qotmoq" both convey an emotional
state but differ in their semantic and pragmatic aspects.
The primary aim of this study is to analyze the anthropocentric features of somatic
phraseological units in English and Uzbek and to examine their cognitive and linguocultural
characteristics. Through this analysis, the study investigates how these phraseological units are
conceptualized in human cognition and what cultural factors influence their formation.
This research seeks to answer the following questions:
1.
What are the anthropocentric features of somatic phraseological units in English and
Uzbek?
2.
How do their semantic and linguocultural aspects vary?
3.
How are somatic phraseological units shaped by national mentality and cognitive models?
This study applies comparative analysis, cognitive linguistics, and a linguocultural
approach to provide an in-depth examination of phraseological meaning from an
anthropocentric perspective. The findings contribute to the fields of linguistics, translation
studies, and cultural studies by offering insights into the cognitive and cultural dimensions of
phraseology.
METHODS
This study employs a multidisciplinary approach, integrating comparative analysis,
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cognitive linguistics, and a linguocultural perspective to examine somatic phraseological units
in English and Uzbek. The research follows a structured methodology that includes data
collection, semantic and cognitive analysis, and a contrastive study of phraseological units in
both languages.
The data is collected from phraseological dictionaries, language corpora (such as the
British National Corpus and Uzbek National Corpus), and literary texts and media sources. The
study focuses on phraseological units containing references to div parts (e.g., head, heart,
hand, foot, eye) as they serve as conceptual markers in human cognition and cultural
representation.
The analysis is carried out using multiple linguistic methods. Componential and semantic
analysis is applied to deconstruct the internal structure of phraseological units, identifying their
key semantic features and idiomatic meanings. Cognitive analysis explores the conceptual
frameworks behind these expressions, utilizing conceptual metaphor theory and image
schemas to understand how different div parts are perceived in human cognition. Contrastive
and comparative analysis examines similarities and differences between English and Uzbek
somatic phraseological units, categorizing them into universal (shared) vs. culture-specific
expressions. Additionally, linguocultural analysis investigates the influence of national
mentality, traditions, and historical background on the formation and usage of these
phraseological units.
The study is limited to widely used phraseological units, excluding archaic or highly
specialized expressions. While the research primarily focuses on cognitive and cultural aspects,
it does not include phonetic or morphological analysis. Furthermore, as the scope is restricted
to English and Uzbek, the findings do not extend to other Turkic or Indo-European languages.
By integrating these methods, this research aims to provide a comprehensive
anthropocentric analysis of somatic phraseological units, shedding light on the deep
interrelation between language, cognition, and culture in phraseology.
RESULTS
The analysis of somatic phraseological units in English and Uzbek reveals both universal
cognitive patterns and culture-specific variations influenced by historical, social, and linguistic
factors. The findings are categorized into three key areas: semantic and structural similarities,
cognitive conceptualization, and linguocultural influences.
1. Semantic and Structural Similarities
Many English and Uzbek somatic phraseological units exhibit semantic parallels, often
stemming from shared human experiences and universal bodily functions. For instance, the
concept of rational thinking and emotional control is reflected in both languages:
English:
Keep a cool head
(to stay calm and rational).
Uzbek:
Boshini sovuq tutmoq
(to maintain composure).
Similarly, expressions related to emotional states and psychological conditions often rely
on bodily metaphors:
English:
Break someone’s heart
(to deeply hurt someone emotionally).
Uzbek:
Yuragini ezmoq
(to cause emotional distress).
Despite these commonalities, differences arise in the lexical structure and metaphorical
imagery used in phraseological constructions.
2. Cognitive Conceptualization
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The study identifies several dominant cognitive models underlying somatic
phraseological units in both languages:
The head as a center of reasoning (
headstrong
in English vs.
boshqotirma
in Uzbek).
The heart as a center of emotions (
to have a change of heart
vs.
ko‘ngli og‘rimoq
).
The hand as a symbol of action and power (
to have a hand in something
vs.
qo‘li yetmoq
).
While English frequently employs abstract metaphorical extensions (e.g.,
cold feet
for
fear), Uzbek phraseology is often more emotionally direct and rooted in oral traditions.
3. Linguocultural Influences
Culture plays a significant role in shaping somatic phraseological expressions. Some
English idioms have origins in historical or literary sources (e.g.,
to wash one’s hands of
something
from Biblical references), whereas many Uzbek somatic idioms are deeply tied to
folklore and proverbs (e.g.,
tizzasini yerga qo‘ymoq
– showing submission or respect).
Additionally, societal norms influence phraseology, as seen in expressions related to
authority and hierarchy:
English:
Put one’s foot down
(to assert authority).
Uzbek:
Qo‘lini tekkizmoq
(to intervene in a decisive manner).
The study concludes that while cognitive universality exists in phraseology due to shared
human experiences, cultural factors heavily influence the specific linguistic realization of
somatic idioms.
DISCUSSION
The findings highlight the interplay between cognition, culture, and language, reinforcing
the anthropocentric nature of phraseological meaning. The observed similarities between
English and Uzbek phraseological units suggest that bodily experiences serve as a universal
foundation for linguistic expressions, while cultural differences shape their semantic nuances
and pragmatic applications.
The study aligns with cognitive linguistic theories such as Conceptual Metaphor Theory
(Lakoff & Johnson, 1980), which posits that metaphorical expressions are grounded in human
experience. The results further support the notion that language is not merely a system of
communication but a cognitive tool that reflects cultural perceptions and values.
Moreover, the contrastive analysis offers valuable insights for translation studies,
emphasizing the importance of cultural adaptation rather than literal equivalence when
translating somatic phraseological units. For instance, while
"to have cold feet"
may be
understood metaphorically in English, a direct translation into Uzbek would not convey the
same meaning, necessitating an alternative phrase with a culturally relevant equivalent.
The research also has implications for linguistic education, particularly in the teaching of
phraseology and idiomatic expressions in second language acquisition. Recognizing cultural
embeddedness in phraseology can aid learners in understanding idiomatic expressions beyond
their literal meanings.
However, this study is not without limitations. The research focuses solely on widely used
phraseological units, excluding regional or dialectal variations. Additionally, while English and
Uzbek provide interesting cross-linguistic comparisons, further studies could expand the scope
to include other Turkic and Indo-European languages to deepen the analysis.
CONCLUSION
This study provides a comprehensive anthropocentric analysis of somatic phraseological
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units in English and Uzbek, exploring their cognitive, semantic, and linguocultural dimensions.
The research confirms that while many somatic phraseological expressions share universal
cognitive bases, their linguistic realization and cultural connotations vary significantly due to
historical and social influences.
The study contributes to the fields of cognitive linguistics, phraseology, and cultural
studies, offering insights into the interrelation between language, cognition, and culture. Future
research could further investigate how sociohistorical factors and globalization affect the
evolution of phraseological expressions, as well as explore their neurolinguistic processing in
bilingual or multilingual speakers.
By shedding light on the anthropocentric nature of somatic phraseology, this research
enhances our understanding of how language embodies human perception and cultural
identity, reinforcing the intricate connection between thought, language, and society.
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