Zoonym components in the English and Uzbek languages are distinguished by a special mental natural association that unites people with the animal world, which is based on a deep connection between the evaluation of semantics and biological signs of animals. The zoonym in the phraseological unit is its semantic center (that is, zoomorphism), and it is in it where lies the basic metaphorical meaning that gives the meaning to the whole expression.
The English and Uzbek phraseological units with the zoonym component fund are rich and diverse. The reference to the names of animals is considered natural and normal, since animals, like humans, have their own characteristic habits and peculiar features; each of them has its own way of life and has a unique type of behavior. Many animal names are currently set metaphors. In Uzbek, as well as in English, for example, the cow is stupid (‘sigir ahmoq’), the hare is wise (‘quyon dono)”, the fox is sly/traitor (‘tulki ayyor’), the bear is clumsy (‘ayiq beo’xshov’) and so on. Phraseological units with the zoonym component as the name of a wild animal are also quite common. The main “heroes” of such expressions are hare (quyon), bear (ayiq), monkey (maymun), peacock (tovus), e.g., strut like a peacock (‘to display oneself proudly’).
The phraseological image is formed on the basis of a person's idea of an animal, and the animal's name is sequentially associated with an object that has certain qualities and properties, and with its symbolic meaning. And this is natural, since the whole world around a person is perceived by him through the prism of mythological thinking.
Here are a few natural English and Uzbek expressions (idioms) using animals. Like most languages, in English and Uzbek animals are used in many idiomatic expressions. Today we take a look at some basic, widely used, expressions:
– to pig out (‘to eat too much’) — cho’chqaga o’xshab bo’kib yemoq, for ex.: 'I really pigged out at the barbeque. I've never eaten so much.'
– to chicken out (‘to be too scared to do something usually after previously agreeing to do it’) — qattiq qo’rqmoq, for ex.: 'I was going to do a parachute jump, but I chickened out on the day.'
– to be a dark horse (‘A person who keeps their interests and ideas secret, especially someone who has a surprising ability or skill’) — og’ziga tolqon solgandek jim yurmoq, for ex.: 'I didn't know that Sandra could play the drums. She's such a dark horse.'
– to be a pussy cat (‘a person who is very gentle’) — juda ham hushmuomala inson, for ex.: 'Don't worry. He looks frightening, but really he's a pussy cat.'
– to be bull-headed (‘a person who is stubborn’) — eshakdek qaysarlik qilmoq, for ex.: 'Stop being so bull-headed and come to the cinema with us. Everyone is going except you.'
– to be in the dog house (‘to be in trouble') — qattiq kulfatga tushmoq, for ex: 'I'm in the dog house with my wife after I forgot out anniversary.'
– to smell fishy (‘it is dishonest or suspicious’) — nosamimiy yoki shubhali, for ex.: 'My son's story smells fishy. He said that he'd been in the library all day, but I think it's closed today.'
– to be a rat (‘a person who deserts his friends or associates, especially in times of trouble. Someone who is not loyal’) — befavo, munofiq, for ex.: 'Michael is such a rat. He left as soon as the trouble started.'
– to be like a bull in a china shop (‘act carelessly in the way they move or behave’) — gandiraklab yurmoq, for ex.: 'The footballer ran around like a bull in a china shop until he was sent off.'
– to talk the hind legs off a donkey (‘a person who talks too much’) — ko’p vaysamoq, for ex.: 'Her speech seemed to go on for ever; she could talk the hind legs off a donkey.'
Phraseologisms with names of animals or zoonyms in Uzbek reflect:
– physical qualities, possibilities: otday tez yuguradi; itdek charchagan; ayiqdek polvon, and others;
– appearance: misoli oqqush, chumolibel; chochqadek beso’naqay.
– psychical qualities (character features): eshakdek qaysar, xira pashsha and others;
– intellect: tulkidek ayyor; it kabi aqlli and others;
– behavior, abilities, skills: to’tidek takrorlamoq.
Comparative study of zoonyms of different lingual and cultural communities can enrich the system of lexis revealing interrelation between tendencies of development of national culture and national language; solution of adjacent problems attached to them advances the theory of linguistic conceptualization, which raises explanatory force of philological knowledge.
In the Uzbek language about two completely opposite people who will not get along in one place, they usually say: In one cauldron you can not boil two mutton heads — Bir qozonda ikki qo’chqorning boshi qaynamas.
Negative characteristics of human actions are presented in proverbs with zoonim «ayiq»: In the Uzbek language, the proverb — “Ayiqdan qo’rqqan o’rmonga kirmas” (Whoever is afraid of a bear will not go to the forest) characterizes a timid person who lacks courage to desperate deed.
Uzbek proverb. — Bitta tirrancha buzoq Butun podani bulg’apdi (One lousy sheep spoils the whole herd).
References:
- Виноградов В. В. Основные понятия русской фразеологии как лингвистической дисциплины // Избранные труды. Лексикология и лексикография. М., 1977
- Гукетлова Ф. Н.. Зооморфный код культуры в языковой картине мира, дис. к. ф.н., М., 2009.
- Кунин А, В. Курс фразеологии современного английского языка. М., 1986.
- Раҳматуллаев Ш. Фразеология // Ҳозирги ўзбек адабий тили. Тошкент, 2006
