THE CONCEPT IN LINGUISTICS: ITS NATURE AND ROLE

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON INTERDISCIPLINARY SCIENCE Volume 02, Issue 10, 2025 229 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON INTERDISCIPLINARY SCIENCE universalconference.us THE CONCEPT IN LINGUISTICS: ITS NATURE AND ROLE Muhammadqulova Nigorabonu Samarkand State Institute of Foreign Languages [email protected] Introduction In modern linguistics, the concept of "concept" is one of the central terms that reveal the connection between language and thinking. A person expresses his worldview, feelings and experiences in language. Therefore, language is studied not only as a means of communication, but also as a phenomenon that expresses culture, values and mentality. In linguistics, the concept of concept is at the heart of this process, because it is reflected through words, but contains a meaning that is broader than the word itself. A concept is a generalized model of knowledge, feelings, life experience and values in the human mind. It lives in language, culture, folk oral literature, traditions, religious concepts, metaphors. The conceptual world of each people depends on their way of life, values and historical experience. Therefore, the concept is considered an important tool in studying the interaction between language and culture. In recent years, interest in the concept has increased in the fields of linguoculturology, cognitive linguistics, and semantics. Because linguists are now trying to study not only the grammatical structure or lexical meaning, but also the cultural content behind the word. Scientists such as A. Vezhbitskaya, Y. Stepanova have interpreted the concept in different ways, but they all see the concept as a central element of human thinking. Thus, the concept of “concept” in linguistics is not just a lexical unit, but also a mental unit that expresses how a person perceives the world 1 . The essence of the concept A concept is the most important part of human thinking. It shows how a person perceives the world and how he expresses it through words. A concept combines words, images and emotions at the same time. In every language, there are words that are not only related to meaning, but also to the culture, traditions and values of that people. That is why a concept is a very important concept in linguistics. Russian linguist Y. Stepanova defines a concept as a “bridge between language and culture”. According to her, a concept is a unity that is expressed in language, but acquires meaning through culture. For example, the word “hospitality” in Uzbek culture means not only an action, but also people’s appreciation of a guest, showing respect to him and thereby seeking the pleasure of Allah. Therefore, a concept is a phenomenon that lives in language, but finds meaning in culture 2 . The relationship between concept and culture The words in each language express the thinking and worldview of that nation. A. Wezhbitskaya calls the concept “the key word of culture”. In her opinion, the most important words in a language reveal the values, attitude to life and moral views of that nation. For example, the words freedom, privacy and success in English denote values such as personal independence, free expression of one’s own opinion and personal achievement in Western society. In Uzbek, or, taqdir, sabr and hospitability emphasize collectivism, honesty, patience and human relations. This difference shows that concepts 1 Vezhbitskaya, A. (1996). Language. Culture. Cognition. Oxford: Clarendon Press. 2 Stepanova, Y. S. (1985). Leksikologiya russkogo yazyka. Moskva: Nauka. INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON INTERDISCIPLINARY SCIENCE Volume 02, Issue 10, 2025 230 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON INTERDISCIPLINARY SCIENCE universalconference.us reflect the inner world, psyche and historical experience of each nation. The deepest layers of culture are revealed through language. In this sense, a concept is a symbol that expresses in language the general worldview formed in the minds of the people. Concepts in each language are directly related to the past, religion, values, and traditions of their people. Therefore, by studying the concept, one can deeply understand not only the language, but also the psyche of the people 3 . Types of concepts In linguistics, concepts are divided into several types. First of all, there are philosophical concepts. They include abstract concepts such as human life, death, happiness, fate, freedom. For example, the word “fate” in Uzbek thought is associated with divine will, patience, and submission to Allah, while in Western culture it is interpreted more as “coincidence” or “accident”. The next type is ethical concepts, which express moral values: concepts such as honesty, honor, dignity, conscience, and justice are among them. These words determine the correct relationship and moral standards between people in society. Cultural or national concepts are based on the unique lifestyle, values, and traditions of each people. For example, among the Uzbek people, the word “mahalla” is not only a place of residence, but also a symbol of unity, solidarity, and neighborliness. Social concepts are associated with concepts such as community life, labor, justice, and equality. All of them together help to understand the complex relationship between language and culture. The importance of the concept in linguistics The study of the concept in linguistics is very important, because it allows us to understand the relationship between human thinking, culture, and language. Each word represents a certain concept, so through the words in the language, one can form an idea of the worldview and values of the people. Concept analysis allows a linguist to understand cross-cultural differences, identify the causes of loss of meaning in translation, and take cultural factors into account in language learning. For example, in the Uzbek language, the word “or” has a very strong emotional meaning, combining human honor, pride, and conscience. In English, this word does not have a completely equivalent meaning, only honor or dignity are partially compatible. This situation shows that concepts are not always translated. Therefore, concept analysis plays an important role not only in linguistics, but also in the fields of cultural studies, psychology, and philosophy. In short, a concept is a phenomenon that lives in language but finds meaning in culture. It is a product of human thought and is closely related to the historical experience, religious views, and social life of the people 4 . Conclusion In short, a concept is the semantic core of language and culture, a cultural mirror of human thinking. It embodies the historical experience of the people, their religious beliefs, moral values, and attitude to life. The study of concepts in linguistics is not limited to semantic analysis. It is a scientific direction that helps to understand how a person perceives, feels, and values the world. Through concept analysis, we reveal the hidden cultural codes in the language, understand the mentality of a nation, and see the similarities and differences between different cultures. Therefore, the study of concepts is an urgent issue that has not only linguistic, but also philosophical, psychological, and cultural significance. References 3 Uzbek linguistics textbook: Tilshunoslik nazariyasi. (2020). Toshkent: O‘zbekiston Milliy universiteti nashriyoti. 4 Karasik, V. I. (2004). Yazykovoy krug: lichnost, kontsepty, diskurs. Moskva: Gnozis. INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON INTERDISCIPLINARY SCIENCE Volume 02, Issue 10, 2025 231 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON INTERDISCIPLINARY SCIENCE universalconference.us 1. Karasik, V. I. (2004). Yazykovoy krug: lichnost, kontsepty, diskurs. Moskva: Gnozis. 2. Stepanova, Y. S. (1985). Leksikologiya russkogo yazyka. Moskva: Nauka. 3. Uzbek linguistics textbook: Tilshunoslik nazariyasi. (2020). Toshkent: O‘zbekiston Milliy universiteti nashriyoti. 4. Vezhbitskaya, A. (1996). Language. Culture. Cognition. Oxford: Clarendon Press.