THE CONCEPT OF "LONELINESS" IN ENGLISH AND UZBEK LINGUOCULTURES

Annotasiya

This article explores the concept of “loneliness” as it is perceived and expressed within English and Uzbek linguocultures, highlighting both the universal and culturally specific dimensions of the term. Loneliness, while a universally human experience, is shaped and framed by linguistic and cultural contexts that influence how individuals understand, express, and cope with it. The study employs a comparative linguocultural analysis of linguistic units such as idioms, metaphors, proverbs, and common lexical expressions associated with loneliness in both languages. Special attention is given to the emotional, psychological, and social connotations of loneliness, as well as its representation in folk wisdom, literature, and everyday discourse. The findings indicate that while English often frames loneliness in terms of individualism, emotional detachment, or self-reflection, Uzbek linguoculture tends to associate it with communal values, familial separation, and emotional yearning. This research contributes to the broader field of intercultural communication and cognitive linguistics by shedding light on how abstract emotional experiences are linguistically constructed and culturally interpreted. Understanding these differences enhances cross-cultural awareness and offers deeper insights into the values, beliefs, and social structures underlying each culture’s view of solitude and isolation.