Keywords
Abstract
This paper examines the cognitive-semantic categorization and prototypical representation of emotions in English and Uzbek from the perspective of prototype theory and conceptual metaphor theory. Based on the work of Rosch, Shaver, Kövecses, and Wierzbicka, the study illustrates how basic emotions like anger (anger/rage), sadness (sorrow), and joy (joy) are conceptualized in the two languages. The analysis shows that although conceptual elements of emotional expressions bear common embodied foundations (for example, ANGER IS HEAT; SADNESS IS DOWNWARD ORIENTATION), their prototypical cores and radial structures are distinctly different. English emotional prototypes are more individual oriented, whereas Uzbek prototypes are relational, deeply embedded, and connected with social constructs like heart, honor, and respect. The findings highlight the importance of culture-specific cognitive models in emotional conceptualization and contribute to cross-linguistic emotion research and translation.
References
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