COMPARATIVE STUDY OF IDIOMATIC EXPRESSIONS IN ENGLISH AND RUSSIAN

Idiomatic expressions are language-specific, culturally loaded units of meaning that pose unique challenges in translation, second language acquisition, and cross-cultural communication. This study presents a comparative analysis of idiomatic expressions in English and Russian, focusing on semantic classification, cultural specificity, translation challenges, pedagogical implications, and pragmatic functions. By examining similarities and differences between the two languages, the research highlights both universal cognitive mechanisms and culture-specific imagery underlying idioms. The findings demonstrate that while English and Russian share conceptual metaphors rooted in human experience, they differ significantly in historical references, figurative models, and pragmatic usage. These differences create challenges in translation and second-language acquisition, emphasizing the importance of cultural competence and metaphor awareness in linguistic research and education.