The article examines the use of zoonyms as derivational means for describing human appearance and behavior in English and Uzbek

Аннотация

The article examines the use of zoonyms as derivational means for describing human appearance and behavior in English and Uzbek. It highlights the semantic role of metaphors, particularly zoonym-based ones, as productive tools in expressing complex personal traits vividly and figuratively. Drawing on examples from both languages, the study categorizes zoonym metaphors into two groups: those describing physical appearance and those describing character traits. According to comparative analysis, many metaphors coincide cross-linguistically. Metaphorical zoonyms not only enrich descriptive language but also reflect cultural values and symbolic associations unique to each language community. Introduction. There are semantically derived means of describing human qualities, and they are one of the productive tools of descriptive language. Figures of speech can be examples for semantical derivational means of describing human trait, as they have fully or partially derived meaning. Especially metaphors play a crucial role in the English and Uzbek language, particularly in describing human appearance and character. They allow speakers to express complex ideas vividly and concisely while adding nuance and emotional color to communication. Their function in English will be explored and compared to Uzbek metaphors. Additionally, metaphor, as a fundamental cognitive and linguistic tool, enables speakers to conceptualize abstract traits by linking them to concrete experiences. In describing human appearance and character, metaphors often rely on associations with animals, nature, objects, and mythology. Discussion and results. Zoonyms are one of the most common ways of describing both human appearance and character in both languages. Table 1. Zoonym metaphors for describing human appearance What quality does it English language Uzbek language describe someone who appears lion strong and courageous, sher , arslon often with a 34 ACADEMIC RESEARCH IN MODERN SCIENCE International scientific-online conference commanding presence. someone with a slender snake Suv ilon or agile physique. someone with snake poisonous, unfriendly ilon look someone with large, owl ukki expressive eyes someone with sharp fox features or a cunning tulki look someone with a thick, muscular neck, bull buqa implying strength and robustness. someone who moves elegantly and smoothly, Cat kiyik suggesting agility and poise. This table shows that English and Uzbek languages are not completely different from each other in use of zoonyms to describe human appearance. In most cases, metaphors are fully matched with each other (i.e. fox-tulki). There is one distinction is found in describing someone who moves elegantly and smoothly. In Uzbek culture this kind of people are not seen as cat, because cat is not considered as graceful. “Kiyik” and its movements are thought to be appropriate for elegant women. Table 2. Zoonym metaphors for describing human character: What quality does it English language Uzbek language describe someone who is deceitful or snake ilon treacherous, hiding their true intentions. someone who speaks wasp poisonous, hurting ilon words fox someone who is clever tulki 35 ACADEMIC RESEARCH IN MODERN SCIENCE International scientific-online conference and shrewd, often using their intelligence to outsmart others. someone with gentle, dove soft features, conveying musicha peace and serenity. bee busy person asalari, chumoli someone who is chicken cowardly or easily quyon frightened. someone who sleeps bear ayiq deeply someone who betrays rat, judas goat echki easily someone who is ox tovuq, qo’y considered dull someone who speaks to others without respect bull it and tries to fight with them In metaphors that are used for describing human personality have more differences than human appearance when they are compared between two languages, and there is an essential role of cultural concepts. For example, dove is considered as a symbol of peace in Uzbek language too as in English, but the word “musicha” is frequently related with adjectives “gentle, harmless and soft.” The Uzbek expression “musichayi beozor” (harmless small bird”) can be a good example. Another variety is seen in connecting coward features of people with animals. In English the expression “chicken-hearted” is used, while Uzbeks use “ quyonyurak” for people who are frightened easily. But still most zoonym metaphors of describing human character are similar in both languages (deceitful people are snakes, people who sleeps deeply are bears). Conclusion. Zoonyms are used to express human traits and outer look in a more expressive and imaginative way. These linguistic devices offer insight into cultural values and cognitive patterns, reinforcing shared understandings within a speech community. Understanding and mastering these expressions is 36 ACADEMIC RESEARCH IN MODERN SCIENCE International scientific-online conference essential for achieving fluency and appreciating the deeper la