NATIONAL - CULTURAL CHARACTERISTICS OF PHRASEOLOGICAL UNITS EXPRESSING HUMAN CHARACTER: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF ENGLISH AND UZBEK LANGUAGES

Abstract

Phraseological units represent one of the most culturally marked layers of language. They reflect national mentality, historical experience, traditions, and social values. Among them, phraseological units expressing human character occupy a significant position because they evaluate personal qualities and behavioral patterns. This article investigates the national-cultural characteristics of phraseological units expressing human character in English and Uzbek languages. The study aims to identify universal and culture- specific features reflected in phraseological expressions describing positive and negative character traits. A comparative linguocultural analysis of 100 phraseological units was conducted using descriptive, semantic, comparative, and linguocultural methods. The findings reveal that both languages employ figurative imagery to characterize human behavior; however, the cultural sources of these images differ considerably. English phraseology mainly relies on animal symbolism, whereas Uzbek phraseology is strongly connected with social relations, moral values, and traditional cultural norms. The research demonstrates that phraseological units function as linguistic representations of national identity and cultural worldview.