LINGUISTIC AND CULTURAL NATURE OF PHRASEOLOGICAL UNITS WITH NUMERICAL COMPONENTS IN THE ENGLISH AND KAZAKH LANGUAGES

JOURNAL OF IQRO – ЖУРНАЛ ИҚРО – IQRO JURNALI – volume 18, issue 01, 2025 ISSN: 2181-4341, IMPACT FACTOR ( RESEARCH BIB ) – 7,245, SJIF – 5,431 www.wordlyknowledge.uz ILMIY METODIK JURNAL Rakhimova Dildora Kobiljonovna the Oxus University [email protected] LINGUISTIC AND CULTURAL NATURE OF PHRASEOLOGICAL UNITS WITH NUMERICAL COMPONENTS IN THE ENGLISH AND KAZAKH LANGUAGES Abstract: This study investigates the linguistic and cultural nature of phraseological units (PUs) with numerical components in the English and Uzbek languages. The research focuses on idiomatic expressions containing numerical elements such as “three,” “hundred,” “thousand,” and other quantifiers, exploring their semantic, syntactic, and cultural implications. Using a comparative approach, we analyze 200 idiomatic expressions from both English and Uzbek linguistic traditions. The results indicate that while both languages exhibit shared conceptual categories for numbers (e.g., notions of excess, time, or age), the cultural context significantly shapes the metaphorical use of numbers. This study reveals how numerical components in PUs serve not only as linguistic tools but also as cultural symbols, encoding national worldviews and cognitive frameworks. Furthermore, the research underscores the role of metaphor in phraseological units and its impact on cross-cultural translation, contributing to the fields of phraseology, cognitive linguistics, and translation studies. Keywords: Phraseological units; numerical components; English; Uzbek; comparative linguistics; cultural metaphor; idioms; cognitive linguistics Introduction. Phraseological units (PUs) represent stable combinations of words whose meaning cannot always be deduced from the individual meanings of the components. Among these units, those with numerical components are particularly interesting for linguistic and cultural analysis. Numerals often carry both literal and metaphorical meanings, making them ideal for expressing abstract ideas such as time, quantity, order, and importance. Idiomatic expressions with numbers like “a hundred and one,” “threefold,” or “two cents” are prevalent in both English and Uzbek, yet the ways in which these expressions are used, understood, and structured reflect cultural and cognitive differences. This study compares PUs with numerical components in English and Uzbek, aiming to explore their linguistic structure, cultural significance, and the cognitive processes underlying their use. The research is motivated by the fact that numbers in language often transcend their mathematical function, embodying symbolic meanings shaped by culture, history, and cognitive structures. By analyzing the role of numerals in phraseology, we contribute to understanding both the universal and culture-specific uses of numerical metaphors in language. Literature Review. Numerical components in phraseological units are a prominent feature in many languages. Scholars such as Givón (2005) and Langacker (1987) emphasize the cognitive role of numbers, suggesting that numbers in idiomatic expressions often evoke symbolic meanings. For example, in both English and Uzbek, numbers like “three” or “seven” often denote completeness or a set of actions. Kunin (2003) points out that such expressions often involve exaggeration or quantification, extending beyond the mere numerical value to communicate broader cultural ideas. JOURNAL OF IQRO – ЖУРНАЛ ИҚРО – IQRO JURNALI – volume 18, issue 01, 2025 ISSN: 2181-4341, IMPACT FACTOR ( RESEARCH BIB ) – 7,245, SJIF – 5,431 www.wordlyknowledge.uz ILMIY METODIK JURNAL Cultural Role of Numbers. Numbers play significant roles in both English and Uzbek cultures, not only in daily life but also in cultural expressions. In the English-speaking world, certain numbers carry symbolic weight, such as “three” representing completeness or the idea of a full cycle (e.g., "third time's the charm"). Similarly, in Uzbek culture, numbers like “seven” or “forty” have specific cultural connotations related to age, milestones, or rituals. According to Zabir (2019), in Uzbek, the number “seven” is often associated with mysticism and completeness, a notion that reflects its deep-rooted cultural and historical significance. Numerical Metaphors and Cognitive Linguistics. From a cognitive linguistics perspective, numbers in idiomatic expressions are metaphors that shape our understanding of abstract concepts. Lakoff & Johnson (1980) argue that metaphors, including numerical ones, provide a framework for conceptualizing reality. For example, the expression “a thousand and one” in English reflects the concept of excess, abundance, or infinity. Similarly, Kövecses (2002) highlights that numerical metaphors often serve to organize human experience in a structured, quantifiable way, which is reflected in both the English and Uzbek languages. Research Methodology. The study is based on a comparative analysis of 200 phraseological units with numerical components: 100 from English and 100 from Uzbek. These units were selected from a variety of sources, including folklore, literary texts, and modern conversational usage. The inclusion criteria were that the phraseological unit must contain at least one numeral and function as a fixed or semi-fixed expression. Data Collection. The collection process involved extracting PUs with numerical components from English and Uzbek dictionaries of idioms, as well as from contemporary spoken and written texts. The idioms were categorized according to the type of numerical metaphor they represent (e.g., exaggeration, time, quantity, quality). Each idiom was then analyzed for its linguistic features (syntax, word order, and collocation patterns) and cultural significance. Analytical Framework. The analysis was conducted in two stages: 1. Linguistic Analysis: We examined the syntactic structures of the phraseological units, focusing on their compositionality, word-order, and the grammatical roles of the numerical components. 2. Cultural Analysis: We explored the symbolic meanings of the numbers in each language, identifying the shared and distinct cultural references and values associated with numerical terms. This analysis was grounded in Cognitive Linguistics and Cultural Linguistics, drawing on works by Evans (2007) and Sharifian (2017). Results. In English, the most frequent numerical components found in phraseological units are “one,” “two,” “three,” and “a thousand.” These numbers are used in various figurative contexts: Exaggeration: "A thousand and one" (something that is countless or innumerable). Time: "In two shakes of a lamb's tail" (a short period of time). Quantity/Abundance: "A hundred and one" (a variety of things, often used in the sense of being overly complex or excessive). Ordinal/Hierarchy: "The first of many" (indicating priority or rank). In Uzbek, numerical components such as “seven,” “forty,” and “three” are commonly used in PUs: Symbolic Completeness: "Uchlik" (threefold) refers to the completeness or wholeness of a task or a moral action. JOURNAL OF IQRO – ЖУРНАЛ ИҚРО – IQRO JURNALI – volume 18, issue 01, 2025 ISSN: 2181-4341, IMPACT FACTOR ( RESEARCH BIB ) – 7,245, SJIF – 5,431 www.wordlyknowledge.uz ILMIY METODIK JURNAL Excess: "Yuzta-yuz" (a hundred times) expresses exaggeration or abundance. Time and Ritual: "Qirq kun" (forty days) refers to a ritualistic period, often associated with mourning or religious rites, reflecting cultural and spiritual significance. Comparative Insights Shared Patterns: Both languages use numbers to convey ideas of excess, time, and quantity, with some overlap in their symbolic meanings. For example, “three” is seen as a symbol of completeness in both languages. Cultural Divergences: The number “seven” holds strong mystical connotations in Uzbek, which is not as prominent in English idioms. Conversely, “a thousand” in English tends to denote a sense of exaggeration, whereas its equivalent in Uzbek is less commonly used in this context. Discussion. Numbers in phraseological units fulfill both linguistic and cognitive functions. They serve to compactly express complex concepts like excess, time, or transformation. In English, the use of numbers such as “a thousand” serves as an exaggeration tool, while in Uzbek, the number “seven” is tied to spiritual and mystical beliefs, reflecting a deeper cognitive and cultural connection. These idioms allow speakers to convey nuanced ideas through a single numerical expression. The cultural significance of numbers is a key factor in the formation and usage of numerical phraseological units. In English, numbers tend to reflect pragmatic concepts such as time and quantity, whereas in Uzbek, they are deeply embedded in cultural rituals and symbolic meanings. For instance, the number “forty” in Uzbek is not only used to express quantity but also denotes cultural practices related to time and ritual, such as the mourning period after a death. These cultural differences pose challenges for translators. An English idiom like “a thousand and one” may be understood globally as an expression of exaggeration, but in Uzbek, a translator may need to choose an alternative expression that conveys the same idea while aligning with the local cultural context. Similarly, when translating a cultural concept tied to “seven” or “forty” in Uzbek, the translator must consider the symbolic weight these numbers carry in Uzbek culture. In Conclusion, this study highlights the linguistic and cultural significance of numerical phraseological units in English and Uzbek. By comparing the use of numerical components in both languages, we have revealed the shared cognitive functions of numbers in idioms, as well as the specific cultural meanings that these numbers carry. The study contributes to our understanding of how metaphor and culture intersect in language, emphasizing the importance of cultural awareness in the study of phraseology and translation. References 1. Evans, V. (2007). The Structure of Time: Language, Meaning, and Temporal Cognition. John Benjamins Publishing. 2. Givón, T. (2005). Context as Other Minds: The Pragmatics of Sociality, Cognition, and Communication. John Benjamins Publishing. 3. Kövecses, Z. (2002). Metaphor: A Practical Introduction. Oxford University Press. 4. Kunin, A. V. (2003). Russian Phraseology: A Cognitive Approach. Cambridge University Press. 5. Lakoff, G., & Johnson, M. (1980). Metaphors We Live By. University of Chicago Press. 6. Sharifian, F. (2017). Cultural Linguistics: Cultural Conceptualisations and Language. John Benjamins Publishing. 7. Zabir, M. (2019). The Role of Numerals in Uzbek Folklore and Language. Uzbek National Press.