COGNITIVE AND LINGUOCULTURAL STUDY OF PHRASEOLOGICAL UNITS IN ENGLISH AND UZBEK

Abstract

This article investigates phraseological units in English and Uzbek from a cognitive and linguocultural perspective. Currently, Cognitive Linguistics is increasingly focused on the issue of language units that serve as key linguistic tools for the verbal expression of various conceptual frameworks. Therefore, it requires a thorough and comprehensive analysis. By examining idiomatic expressions as culturally embedded conceptual units, the study identifies how phraseological meaning is shaped by shared mental models, cultural values, and metaphorical frameworks within each linguistic community. Through comparative analysis, the paper highlights both universal cognitive mechanisms and culturally specific metaphorical patterns in phraseology. For instance, idioms related to emotions, death, wisdom, and social behavior often share underlying cognitive structures but differ in imagery, symbolism, and linguistic form due to distinct historical, religious, and social influences in English and Uzbek cultures. The study highlights the role of cultural scripts and folk models in idiomatic usage and shows how phraseological units serve as carriers of collective cultural memory. The results contribute to a deeper understanding of cross-cultural cognition and offer practical insights for translation, language teaching, and intercultural communication.