COMPARATIVE AND CULTURAL ANALYSIS OF ZOOMORPHIC PHRASEOLOGICAL UNITS IN ENGLISH AND UZBEK

This study presents a comparative and cultural analysis of zoomorphic phraseological units (zoomorphic idioms and proverbs) in English and Uzbek. Zoomorphic phraseological units, which incorporate names of animals to convey figurative meanings, serve as a rich source of cultural, historical, and linguistic information. The research examines the semantic, structural, and pragmatic features of selected English and Uzbek zoomorphic expressions, identifying both universal and culture-specific patterns. Particular attention is paid to the symbolic meanings attached to animals (such as the dog, cat, wolf, fox, horse, and bird) and how these meanings reflect national worldviews, traditional lifestyles, and value systems of English-speaking and Uzbek peoples. The analysis reveals similarities rooted in shared human experience and cognitive mechanisms, as well as significant differences arising from distinct cultural, religious, and environmental backgrounds. The findings contribute to contrastive phraseology, intercultural communication, and the teaching of English and Uzbek as foreign languages by highlighting the cultural load of animal-based idioms.