A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF KINSHIP-TERM-BASED PHRASEOLOGICAL UNITS IN CHINESE AND UZBEK LANGUAGES

Аннотация

This article explores the similarities and differences between Chinese and Uzbek phraseological units that involve kinship terms. Kinship terms, as essential components of any language, reflect social structure, cultural values, and historical development. By analyzing idioms and fixed expressions containing kinship references in both languages, the study identifies shared cultural connotations and distinctive linguistic features. The findings reveal how kinship-based idioms are used metaphorically to express social relationships, values, emotions, and behavioral norms. Key Words: Kinship terms, phraseological units, idioms, Chinese language, Uzbek language, linguistic comparison, cultural semantics. Introduction. Kinship terms are deeply rooted in every language and serve as mirrors of societal norms, traditions, and interpersonal dynamics. Both Chinese and Uzbek languages, representing Eastern and Central Asian civilizations respectively, have rich systems of kinship terms that go beyond biological relationships to include social hierarchies and respect structures. This research focuses on how these kinship terms function within phraseological units and idioms, examining their metaphorical and symbolic meanings. The aim is to identify cross-cultural parallels and unique linguistic patterns through comparative phraseological analysis. Literature Review. Several scholars have addressed kinship terminology from linguistic, anthropological, and sociocultural perspectives. In Chinese linguistics, studies such as those by Liu (2011) emphasize the Confucian influence on kinship hierarchies in idioms. Uzbek linguists like T. Nazarova and S. Juraev (2020) analyze kinship terms as reflections of Turkic family values and community respect. However, there is a limited number of comparative studies between Chinese and Uzbek phraseological systems. This article fills that gap by providing a focused analysis of idiomatic expressions that embed kinship terms across both languages. Methods. This study employed a qualitative comparative method, collecting over 100 phraseological units (PU) from authoritative Chinese and Uzbek dictionaries and corpora. Units were selected based on the presence of explicit kinship terms (e.g., father, mother, brother, uncle). The selected PUs 114 ACADEMIC RESEARCH IN MODERN SCIENCE International scientific-online conference were categorized semantically (e.g., authority/respect, foolishness, affection, conflict), then analyzed to uncover metaphorical meanings, cultural associations, and structural similarities or differences. Results and Discussion. Phraseological units involving kinship terms evoke strong emotional meaning in both languages. For example, in Chinese, the expression "骨肉亲" (gǔ ròu qīn) – "flesh and blood relatives" – emphasizes the close connection and emotional bond between family members. In Uzbek, the expression “like one’s own sister” conveys the necessity of treating someone with great care, trust, and respect. In the analysis of phraseological units involving maternal kinship terms, the expressions containing the terms 公 [gōng] – maternal grandfather, 婆 [pó] – maternal grandmother, and 姨姨 [yíyí] – aunt (mother's sister) were observed. Maternal kinship terms appeared in a total of five phraseological units. Phraseological units involving kinship terms in both Chinese and Uzbek languages share certain universal features, including: In both languages, kinship terms are used metaphorically in phraseological units to express various concepts and emotions. For example, in Chinese, the term “兄弟” [xiōngdì] (brothers) can be metaphorically used to refer to close friends or companions. Similarly, in Uzbek, the term “mother” can be used metaphorically to express affection or compassion toward someone. 1. Respect and Authority Chinese: “父母之命，媒妁之言” (Parents' order and matchmaker's words) reflects the parental control over marriage choices, rooted in Confucian ethics. Uzbek: “Otangni ko‘r, ota bo‘l” (Look at your father, become a father) reflects the role of the father as a moral role model. Both expressions elevate the authority of elder family members, but Chinese idioms often emphasize obedience, while Uzbek idioms highlight emulation and respect. 2. Stupidity or Folly Chinese: “二百五” (250 – a foolish person) is metaphorically linked to incomplete numbers used to indicate lack of sense. Uzbek: “Ona suti og‘zidan ketmagan” (His mother’s milk hasn't dried in his mouth) implies immaturity or inexperience. Uzbek idioms tend to use maternal references to denote childishness or lack of maturity, while Chinese idioms may use numeric symbolism or indirect metaphors. 115 ACADEMIC RESEARCH IN MODERN SCIENCE International scientific-online conference 3. Family Conflict and Irony Chinese: “兄弟阋于墙，外御其侮” (Brothers fight within, but defend each other from outsiders) implies internal discord but external solidarity. Uzbek: “O‘z ukang ham bo‘lsa, ehtiyot bo‘l” (Even your own brother—be cautious) emph