THE CONCEPT OF "BIRD" IN THE PHRASEOLOGICAL PICTURE OF THE WORLD (BASED ON ENGLISH MATERIALS)

Аннотация

This article explores the conceptual and cultural significance of the image of the bird in English phraseology. Phraseological units involving "bird" often reflect metaphorical thinking and cultural values embedded in the English-speaking world. Drawing on phraseological data, this study classifies "bird" idioms, analyzes their semantic and symbolic meanings, and demonstrates their role in shaping the phraseological picture of the world. The research reveals that the bird image often conveys ideas of freedom, foolishness, alertness, and desirability. Additionally, it highlights cross-cultural parallels and distinctions in idiomatic meaning. Keywords: bird idioms, phraseology, English language, cultural concept, metaphor, linguistic worldview Introduction. Phraseology is a vital component of language that not only reflects the structure of communication but also encodes national culture and cognitive patterns. Among various conceptual domains represented in idioms, the animal world—and particularly birds—occupies a prominent place. Birds are closely associated with nature, mythology, emotions, and abstract qualities, which are reflected in idiomatic expressions. In English, bird-related idioms are widespread and multifunctional. They capture human traits, express emotions, deliver judgments, and provide vivid imagery. Hence, investigating the concept of “bird” in English idioms is crucial for understanding the phraseological picture of the world and the broader cultural and linguistic consciousness. To begin with, the phraseological picture of the world is understood as a fragment of the general linguistic worldview formed through idiomatic expressions. These expressions often employ metaphors and symbols derived from human experiences and cultural narratives. Birds, being ubiquitous and diverse in nature, have served as cultural symbols since antiquity. For example, eagles are linked to power and majesty, owls to wisdom, and crows to death or bad omens. Such symbolic associations contribute to the phraseological meanings in English. Moreover, as emphasized by cognitive linguistics, idioms involving birds are shaped through conceptual metaphors. For example, the metaphor "a person is a bird" allows for expressions like "a free bird" (free 130 ACADEMIC RESEARCH IN MODERN SCIENCE International scientific-online conference spirit) or "a sitting duck" (helpless person). This metaphorical mapping plays a key role in the formation of phraseological units. To better understand the role of birds in English phraseology, it is essential to classify bird-related idioms according to their underlying semantic domains. These idioms serve as metaphorical representations of human experiences, emotions, and values. The following categories illustrate how the image of the bird is conceptualized in various contexts. Birds, with their ability to fly, often symbolize freedom, independence, and social interaction. Idioms in this group convey notions of unrestricted movement and affinity among like-minded individuals: “Free as a bird” – describes a person who feels completely free and unburdened. “Birds of a feather flock together” – implies that people with similar interests or characteristics naturally associate with one another. These expressions metaphorically extend the behavior of birds in nature to human relationships and emotional states [5, 333-337]. Interestingly, bird idioms are also employed to characterize both wisdom and foolishness, reflecting a dual perception of birds in human thought: “Wise old owl” – refers to someone who is calm, observant, and intelligent, often highlighting wisdom associated with age and experience. “Birdbrain” – a derogatory term used to describe someone as unintelligent or scatterbrained. This contrast reveals an ambivalence in how different bird species are perceived, ranging from reverence to ridicule. Another significant group of idioms centers on themes of exposure to danger or efficient action, often portraying humans as vulnerable or strategic actors: “Sitting duck” – describes a person or object that is easy to attack or exploit. “Kill two birds with one stone” – refers to accomplishing two objectives with a single effort or action. While the former emphasizes helplessness and threat, the latter conveys strategic efficiency—though it metaphorically entails harm to birds. Due to birds' natural vocalization, particularly chirping, many idioms associate them with speech, secrets, or triviality: “A little bird told me” – used to convey secret information while keeping the source anonymous. 131 ACADEMIC RESEARCH IN MODERN SCIENCE International scientific-online conference “For the birds” – an informal phrase indicating that something is worthless, nonsensical, or unimportant. These expressions use the bird motif to reflect the human experience of gossip, indirect information sharing, and the dismissal of insignificant matters. Birds also feature prominently in idioms related to affection,