CROSS-CULTURAL ANALYSIS OF PHRASEOLOGICAL UNITS WITH THE COMPONENT «HEART»

Abstract

This study explores the conceptual integration of phraseological units with the component "heart" in English, Russian, and Uzbek, using conceptual integration theory (CIT) as the analytical framework. The research aims to analyze how the metaphor of the "heart" is conceptualized across these three languages, highlighting both universal and culture-specific aspects. By examining a selection of phraseological units, the study identifies key patterns in how the heart metaphor is used to express emotions such as love, kindness, pain, and resilience. While all three languages share common uses of the heart metaphor, they exhibit distinct conceptual integration patterns shaped by cultural values. In English, emotional openness and vulnerability are emphasized, while Russian phrases focus on emotional control and endurance, and Uzbek expressions highlight emotional transparency and directness. This comparative analysis reveals how language reflects cultural attitudes toward emotion, social interaction, and personal expression. The findings suggest that understanding metaphorical expressions in different languages can improve cross-cultural communication, translation, and language teaching. The study also highlights the potential of CIT in uncovering deeper cognitive and cultural processes in metaphor formation. Further research could expand the scope to include additional languages and explore other metaphorical expressions to deepen our understanding of cross-cultural metaphors and conceptual integration.