PAREMIOLOGICAL TEXTS AND THE LINGUO-COGNITIVEANALYSIS OF ZOONYMIC COMPONENTS.

Аннотация

This study explores the role of zoonymic components (animal-related terms) in paremiological texts (proverbs, sayings, and idiomatic expressions) through the lens of linguo-cognitive analysis. Proverbs serve as linguistic repositories of cultural wisdom, and zoonymic elements often encode metaphorical and cognitive meanings. By analyzing a selected corpus of proverbs across multiple languages, this research uncovers how animal references shape human perception, conceptual metaphors, and cultural attitudes toward animals. The findings contribute to cognitive linguistics, paremiology, and cross-cultural studies, highlighting the universal and culture- specific aspects of zoonymic proverbs. Keywords: Paremiology, Zoonymic Components, Cognitive Linguistics, Proverbs, Conceptual Metaphor Theory. Proverbs, as condensed expressions of folk wisdom, play a crucial role in language and cognition. The presence of zoonymic components in paremiological texts reflects deep-rooted associations between humans and animals, often serving as cognitive and metaphorical tools for understanding human behavior and societal norms. This research seeks to investigate how animal-related words function within proverbs, revealing underlying cognitive structures and cultural perceptions. Research Objectives: 1. To analyze the semantic and cognitive functions of zoonymic components in proverbs. 2. To identify common conceptual metaphors and metonymies associated with animals in different languages. 3. To examine the cross-cultural similarities and differences in zoonymic proverbs. Research Questions: 1. What cognitive mechanisms underlie the use of zoonymic components in proverbs? 2. How do different cultures conceptualize animals in proverbs? 80 ACADEMIC RESEARCH IN MODERN SCIENCE International scientific-online conference 3. What linguistic and cultural factors influence the meanings of these expressions? 2. Literature Review 2.1 Paremiology and the Study of Proverbs Paremiology, the study of proverbs, has long been a focal point in linguistic, folkloristic, and cognitive research. Scholars such as Mieder (2004) emphasize that proverbs encapsulate collective experiences, moral lessons, and social norms. 2.2 Linguo-Cognitive Analysis of Proverbs Cognitive linguistics views language as an embodiment of thought, where proverbs serve as evidence of conceptual metaphors (Lakoff & Johnson, 1980). Through metaphor, animals in proverbs represent human traits, behaviors, and societal attitudes. 2.3 The Role of Zoonymic Components in Language Animal metaphors and similes are prevalent in various languages, often reflecting cultural values (Kövecses, 2005). For example, the lion frequently symbolizes courage, while the fox represents cunning. Comparative studies suggest that while some animal metaphors are universal, others are culture- specific.