THEORETICAL FOUNDATIONS OF STUDYING PERCEPTUAL CATEGORIES IN COGNITIVE LINGUISTICS AND LINGUOCULTUROLOGY

This article explores the theoretical foundations for studying perceptual categories within the frameworks of cognitive linguistics and linguoculturology. Perceptual categories are understood as fundamental mental constructs formed through human sensory experience and subsequently reflected in language and culture. The study examines how cognitive mechanisms such as conceptualization, categorization, and embodiment contribute to the formation and representation of perceptual knowledge in linguistic systems. Additionally, it highlights the role of cultural context in shaping perception and influencing the semantic structure of language. Drawing on contemporary research in cognitive science and linguistic anthropology, the paper analyzes the interrelation between language, cognition, and cultural worldview. Particular attention is given to cross-linguistic differences in the encoding of perceptual experience, demonstrating how language-specific patterns reveal culturally embedded models of reality. The findings suggest that perceptual categories serve as a crucial interface between human cognition and linguistic expression, providing insights into both universal and culture-specific aspects of meaning construction.