Ethnocultural specificity of somatism “golova /head” in Russian and English
- Keywords:
- somatic concept “golova/head”, comparative linguoculturology, linguistic worldview, Russian language, English language, phraseology, paremiology, metaphorical transference, cognitive linguistics, ethnocultural specificity
- Abstract
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The subject of this study is the somatic concept of «head» as an element of the linguistic picture of the world. The purpose of the work is to identify and systematize the ethnocultural specifics of its conceptualization in Russian and English through the analysis of metaphorical transfers, phraseological units and paroemias.
The work uses a set of methods of linguoculturology and cognitive linguistics: comparative analysis to identify parallels and contrasts, component and semantic analysis to decompose meanings, as well as conceptual analysis to reconstruct underlying metaphorical models (for example, HEAD IS A CONTAINER FOR THOUGHTS). The linguistic and cultural interpretation made it possible to connect linguistic facts with the historical context.
As a result of the research, the hypothesis about the unity of the cognitive basis and the cultural specifics of the concept development has been confirmed. It has been established that both languages share universal metaphorical transferences that conceptualize the head as the center of intelligence, control and leadership. However, systemic differences in value accents have been identified. In the Russian language, the somatism head is consistently associated with an existential-ethical complex of meanings: fate, supreme responsibility, sacrifice, and moral choice (for example, lay down your head, answer with your head). The English language is dominated by the pragmatic-functional vector, where head is metaphorized as a tool for success, business acumen and social efficiency (for example, a head for business, get a head). The analysis of the paroemias also showed a difference in intentions: fatalistic and ironic reflection in Russian proverbs is contrasted with pragmatic advice and cooperative attitude in English proverbs.
The main conclusion is that cultural attitudes determine the direction of the metaphorical development of a universal bodily concept, forming unique semantic configurations. The results of the work can be used in the theory and practice of intercultural communication, linguodidactics and translation studies. The prospect of the study is to expand the analysis to other somatic concepts and conduct a diachronic study of their evolution.
- Author Biography
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- Published
- 2026-06-22
- Issue
- No. 1 (2026)
- Section
- Philology
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
