A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF ANIMAL-BASED PHRASEOLOGICAL UNITS IN ENGLISH AND UZBEK

Abstrak

This article presents a comparative analysis of animal-based phraseological units in English and Uzbek. The study examines the semantic, cognitive, and cultural characteristics of idiomatic expressions containing animal names and investigates their role in reflecting national worldviews and cultural values. Using a qualitative comparative approach, phraseological units were collected from dictionaries and scholarly sources and analyzed according to their figurative meanings and symbolic associations. The findings reveal both universal and culture-specific patterns in the conceptualization of animals. While certain animals such as the fox, lion, and wolf symbolize similar traits in both languages, significant differences arise from the distinct historical, social, and cultural experiences of English- and Uzbek-speaking communities. The study highlights the importance of phraseological units as carriers of cultural knowledge and emphasizes their relevance for intercultural communication, translation studies, and foreign language teaching.