COMPARATIVE PHRASEOLOGY: ENGLISH AND NATIVE LANGUAGE

INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC AND PRACTICAL CONFERENCE “INTEGRATION OF MODERN LINGUISTICS WITH SCIENCE, EDUCATION, AND PRACTICE IN THE PROCESS OF GLOBALIZATION: NEW APPROACHES, OPPORTUNITIES, AND CHALLENGES”, DECEMBER 4, 2025 963 COMPARATIVE PHRASEOLOGY: ENGLISH AND NATIVE LANGUAGE 1Shodiyeva Nilufar, 1Turg’unova Sabrina, 1Ismatova Sevinch, 1Jumayeva Ruxsat, 1Roziqova Dilnavoz, 2Yu K.Xonto'rayeva 1Xorijiy til va adabiyoti (ingliz tili) yoʻnalishi bakalavr bosqichi 4-kurs talabalari, 2Ilmiy rahbar, Navoiy davlat universiteti, Tillar fakulteti, Ingliz tilshunosligi kafedrasi assistant oʻqituvchisi https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17862537 Annotation. This article explores comparative phraseology between English and a given native language, focusing on similarities, differences, and cultural meanings encoded in idiomatic expressions. Phraseological units reflect national mentality, worldview, traditions, and communicative norms. By comparing equivalent, partially equivalent, and culture-specific idioms, the study highlights how languages conceptualize universal human experiences differently. The article also discusses structural patterns, semantic shifts, and translation challenges arising in cross-linguistic phraseology. Understanding comparative phraseology enhances linguistic competence, intercultural communication, and more effective foreign language teaching. Key words: phraseology, idioms, cross-cultural communication, equivalence, semantics, translation, linguistic worldview, cultural connotations, comparative analysis, idiomatic expressions Annotatsiya. Ushbu maqola ingliz va ona tilidagi frazeologizmlarni qiyosiy tahlil qiladi, ularning o‘xshash va farqli jihatlari hamda madaniy mazmunini yoritadi. Frazeologik birliklar milliy mentalitet, dunyoqarash, an’ana va nutq me’yorlarini aks ettiradi. Ekvivalent, qisman ekvivalent va madaniyatga xos iboralarni taqqoslash orqali tillarning umumiy insoniy tajribani turlicha konseptuallashtirishi ko‘rsatib beriladi. Maqolada tuzilish, semantik siljish va tarjima muammolari ham muhokama qilinadi. Qiyosiy frazeologiyani bilish til kompetensiyasini va madaniyatlararo muloqotni rivojlantiradi. Kalit so’zlar: frazeologiya, idiomalar, madaniyatlararo muloqot, ekvivalentlik, semantika, tarjima, lingvistik dunyoqarash, madaniy konnotatsiyalar, qiyosiy tahlil, idiomatik iboralar. Аннотация. В статье рассматривается сопоставительная фразеология английского и родного языка, освещаются их сходства, различия и культурные смыслы, заключённые в идиоматических выражениях. Фразеологические единицы отражают национальный менталитет, мировоззрение, традиции и коммуникативные нормы. Сравнение эквивалентных, частично эквивалентных и культурно-специфичных идиом показывает, как языки по-разному концептуализируют универсальный человеческий опыт. Обсуждаются структурные особенности, семантические сдвиги и проблемы перевода. Изучение сопоставительной фразеологии повышает языковую компетенцию и эффективность межкультурного общения. Ключевые слова: фразеология, идиомы, межкультурная коммуникация, эквивалентность, семантика, перевод, языковая картина мира, культурные коннотации, сравнительный анализ, идиоматические выражения INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC AND PRACTICAL CONFERENCE “INTEGRATION OF MODERN LINGUISTICS WITH SCIENCE, EDUCATION, AND PRACTICE IN THE PROCESS OF GLOBALIZATION: NEW APPROACHES, OPPORTUNITIES, AND CHALLENGES”, DECEMBER 4, 2025 964 Phraseology is one of the richest and most culturally loaded layers of any language. Idioms, fixed expressions, and set phrases reflect national identity, historical memory, and the worldview of native speakers. Comparative phraseology examines these units across different languages and seeks to determine how various cultures express similar ideas through figurative or metaphorical structures. 1 When comparing English and a native language, researchers focus on equivalence, semantic features, structural patterns, and cultural symbolism embedded in idiomatic expressions. A key aspect of comparative phraseology is the idea of equivalence. Many idioms have full equivalents across languages because they describe universal human experiences. For instance, the English idiom “to kill two birds with one stone” often has direct analogues in other languages, expressing the idea of accomplishing two tasks through a single action. Such idioms are valuable in language teaching because they help learners quickly understand and internalize figurative meaning through direct comparison. However, not all idioms have full equivalents. Partial equivalence is extremely common in cross-linguistic phraseology. In such cases, the meaning remains the same, but the metaphor or imagery differs. For example, English speakers say “the black sheep of the family,” while some languages use metaphors involving “a white crow” or “a strange duck.” The cultural motivation for these metaphors varies, and comparative analysis reveals how each society constructs the idea of nonconformity. 2 Through these differences, learners gain insight not only into linguistic structures but also into culturally specific ways of seeing the world. There are also phraseological units that lack any direct equivalent. These culture-specific idioms usually arise from folklore, geography, religion, traditional occupations, or historical events. For English, many idioms originate from maritime culture (“to be all at sea”), from Shakespeare (“green-eyed monster”), or from biblical texts (“a thorn in the flesh”). In contrast, idioms in many native languages might come from pastoral life, agriculture, or nomadic traditions. These expressions cannot be translated literally; instead, they must be interpreted culturally. Such cases demonstrate the importance of understanding cultural context when teaching or translating idiomatic language. From a structural perspective, English idioms often follow predictable syntactic patterns such as verb + object (“break the ice”), adjective + noun (“cold shoulder”), or prepositional phrases (“in the long run”). Some languages, particularly those with agglutinative structures, form idioms differently, relying heavily on metaphorical combinations of nouns or descriptive verbs. Comparative phraseology highlights these structural contrasts, which are essential for learners who must internalize not only the meaning but also the grammatical form of idiomatic units. Semantically, idioms in all languages possess a degree of opacity. Their meanings cannot be derived from individual words, which creates challenges for learners. Comparative phraseology helps reduce this opacity by demonstrating metaphoric patterns that appear across languages. Many idioms are based on shared human experience—body parts, nature, animals, emotions, or social interaction. For example, idioms about the heart often express emotional states in virtually all languages. English uses expressions such as “to have a change of heart” or 1 A.V. Kunin – English Phraseology (1996) 103 p 2 Jennifer Seidl & W. McMordie – English Idioms (1997) 30 p INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC AND PRACTICAL CONFERENCE “INTEGRATION OF MODERN LINGUISTICS WITH SCIENCE, EDUCATION, AND PRACTICE IN THE PROCESS OF GLOBALIZATION: NEW APPROACHES, OPPORTUNITIES, AND CHALLENGES”, DECEMBER 4, 2025 965 “heart of stone,” while native languages commonly use similarly metaphorical expressions. 3 These parallels show how metaphor functions as a universal cognitive mechanism, even when its linguistic realization differs. Another important dimension is cultural connotation. Idioms can reflect cultural values such as individualism, collectivism, politeness norms, attitudes toward hierarchy, and social behavior. English idioms often convey pragmatic meanings such as indirect criticism, emotional restraint, or humor. Comparatively, idioms in the native language might emphasize respect, modesty, or social harmony. These cultural layers must be understood to avoid misinterpretation. For instance, a literal translation of a harmless idiom from one culture may sound rude or inappropriate in another. In foreign language teaching, comparative phraseology plays a vital pedagogical role. By comparing idioms across languages, teachers help students develop deeper semantic awareness and improve translation skills. Learners become more sensitive to figurative language, which is crucial for advanced proficiency. Moreover, phraseological competence enhances communicative fluency, making speech sound more natural. In translation studies, comparative phraseology emphasizes the need for adaptive strategies rather than literal translation. Translators must consider semantic accuracy, cultural appropriateness, and stylistic nuance. Sometimes an idiom must be replaced with an equivalent idiom; at other times, it must be paraphrased to preserve meaning. Understanding the cultural origins of idioms ensures that translations remain both accurate and expressive. 4 Comparative phraseology is not merely a linguistic discipline—it is a window into cultural cognition. By examining idioms across English and native languages, we uncover deeper insights into how different societies conceptualize the world, express emotions, and communicate shared values. CONCLUSION Comparative phraseology reveals meaningful connections between language, culture, and cognition. By studying idioms across English and the native language, learners and researchers gain a deeper understanding of metaphorical thinking, structural patterns, and cultural symbolism. This knowledge promotes effective translation, enriches linguistic competence, and strengthens intercultural communication. Phraseological comparison also highlights the uniqueness of each language while demonstrating the universality of human experience expressed through figurative speech. BIBLIOGRAPHY 1. A.V. Kunin – English Phraseology (1996) 103 p 2. Alan Partington – Patterns and Meanings: Using Corpora for English Language Research and Teaching (1998) 40 p 3. Fernando Chitra – Idioms and Idiomaticity (1996) 294 p 4. Jennifer Seidl & W. McMordie – English Idioms (1997) 30 p 5. Makkai Adam – Idiomaticity: A Structural and Functional View (1972) 149 p 6. Moon Rosamund – Fixed Expressions and Idioms in English (1998) 75 p 3 Alan Partington – Patterns and Meanings: Using Corpora for English Language Research and Teaching (1998) 40 p 4 Fernando Chitra – Idioms and Idiomaticity (1996) 294 p