ANIMAL-RELATED PROVERBS AND IDIOMS AS REFLECTIONS OF NATIONAL IDENTITY: A COGNITIVE AND CROSS-CULTURAL ANALYSIS (ENGLISH & UZBEK)

This study investigates the cognitive, cultural, and linguistic functions of animal-related proverbs and idioms in English and Uzbek languages as reflections of national identity. Drawing on Conceptual Metaphor Theory (CMT), the research examines how animal imagery serves as a source domain for conceptualizing human traits, behaviors, and social structures. A comparative qualitative analysis of selected proverbs reveals both universal metaphorical patterns and culture-specific interpretations shaped by historical, ecological, and socio-cultural contexts. The findings demonstrate that while certain metaphorical mappings (e.g., PEOPLE ARE ANIMALS) are universal, their semantic realizations differ significantly, reflecting distinct national identities. The study contributes to cross-cultural linguistics, cognitive semantics, and intercultural communication.