A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE STRUCTURAL-SEMANTIC FEATURES OF ENGLISH AND UZBEK WORD COMBINATIONS

Abstract

This research offers a comparative analysis of the structural and semantic characteristics of word combinations in English and Uzbek, focusing on their formation, idiomatic expressions, and the impact of cultural and linguistic factors. English, an analytic language with a rigid word order and widespread use of phrasal verbs, contrasts with Uzbek, an agglutinative language that depends on suffixes, postpositions, and auxiliary verb constructions. The study explores the key differences in syntax, morphology, and semantic clarity, emphasizing the challenges involved in translation and second-language learning. While English tends to use idiomatic phrases with less transparent meanings (e.g., "kick the bucket"), Uzbek word combinations are generally more literal, though idiomatic expressions influenced by Persian and Russian are present (e.g., "dil kushodasi" [heart's joy]). The research also examines the role of cultural and historical influences on collocational patterns in both languages. By systematically comparing these features, the paper aims to improve cross-linguistic understanding, helping translators, linguists, and learners navigate the complexities of both languages. The findings highlight the importance of context-sensitive learning strategies for mastering these different structural and semantic systems.