The semantic field of the concept HEALTH/SOG‘LIK in English and Uzbek languages: linguocultural and cognitive analysis

Abstract

This article is devoted to the study of the semantic field and conceptual models of the “health/sog‘lik” concept in English and Uzbek, based on a sociocultural and cognitive analysis. The main idea of the study is that, the concept “health” is translated into Uzbek as “sog‘lik”, however, their lexical core–periphery, metaphorical conceptualization and cultural characteristics differ. Therefore, the semantic field approach is adopted as the methodological basis, and cognitive metaphors are analyzed on the basis of definitions from explanatory dictionaries. This concept encompasses not only linguistic aspects but also medical and cultural features. It also covers the fundamentals of a healthy lifestyle, prevention and health promotion. Health is considered the primary condition for the fulfilment of a person’s biological and social functions. From a linguocultural perspective, in English health is more often understood as physical, practical well-being, prevention and personal responsibility, In Uzbek, the national-cultural content of the health concept is closely linked to human life, well-being and value systems, prayers and moral perspectives. The results indicate the necessity of taking into account subtle differences in concepts in linguocultural, cognitive analysis and translation processes.