SOMATIC CONCEPTS “HEART” AND “LIVER” IN ENGLISH AND UZBEK LINGUISTIC WORLDVIEWS: A COGNITIVE AND LINGUOCULTURAL STUDY
Abstract
This paper explores the cognitive and linguocultural representation of the somatic concepts heart and liver in English and Uzbek within the framework of linguistic worldview theory. The study aims to identify universal and culture-specific patterns in the metaphorical conceptualization of internal organs. The analysis is based on more than 270 lexical units, idioms, and fixed expressions drawn from contemporary English and Uzbek lexicographic sources. The findings demonstrate that the concept heart exhibits a stable universal semantic core in both languages, primarily associated with emotions, affection, sincerity, and courage. However, the Uzbek concept yurak reveals additional layers related to moral evaluation, spiritual values, and intuitive cognition. In contrast, the concept liver displays significant cross-cultural asymmetry: while English largely restricts liver to biological reference and marginal negative metaphorization, Uzbek extensively employs jigar as a key cultural symbol of emotional intimacy, kinship, bravery, and temperament. The study confirms that somatic concepts function as culturally embedded cognitive structures reflecting nationally specific value systems and modes of conceptualization.
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