Dangʻara District, Fergana Region

First-year student, Faculty of Humanities and Languages, Uzbek Language and Literature Department

Linguocultural and Semantic Features of the Concept of “Ko‘ngil” in the Uzbek Language

Abstract

This article examines the place of the concept of “ko‘ngil” in the linguistic worldview of the Uzbek language and its linguocultural characteristics. It analyzes the connection of this notion with the mentality of the Uzbek people, the manifestations of the word in phraseological units, and its semantic scope in literary texts based on the principles of cognitive linguistics.

Keywords

Linguoculture, concept, ko‘ngil, linguistic worldview, cognitive linguistics, mentality, phraseological unit, semantics.

Introduction

In modern linguistics, studying linguistic units in close connection with the human factor, human thinking, and culture has become a priority direction. In particular, as a result of the formation of the anthropocentric paradigm, language is interpreted not only as a means of communication but also as the cultural code of a nation and a tool for understanding the world. At the center of this direction stands the notion of the “concept.”

One of the most important concepts reflecting the worldview and the spiritual and moral world of the Uzbek people is “ko‘ngil.” While in Western languages (for example, in English – heart, in Russian – serdtse) the “heart” is more commonly used as the center of emotions, in the Uzbek linguistic worldview the concept of “ko‘ngil” possesses a much broader and deeper semantic scope. For the Uzbek people, the concept of “ko‘ngil” is not merely a feeling, but a linguistic phenomenon expressing a person’s faith, morality, intention, and entire spiritual being.

Main Part

In the lexical layer of the Uzbek language, the unit “ko‘ngil” is interpreted as the place of a person’s spiritual world, emotions, and inner experiences. According to the Explanatory Dictionary of the Uzbek Language, this word expresses not only a spiritual source but also a person’s character. The Uzbek people express their joy or sorrow through the dynamics of “ko‘ngil.” The examples provided in the dictionary clearly prove this:

Ko‘ngli buzilmoq — a state of being upset, becoming deeply saddened, or immersed in grief.

Ko‘ngli ko‘tarilmoq — a feeling of relief, joy, or happiness.

Ko‘ngli g‘ash — a feeling of worry, anxiety, or inner disturbance about something.

“Ko‘ngil” is also regarded as a moral measure and the center of social relations. In the Uzbek mentality, people are often evaluated through this concept:

Ko‘ngli ochiq — used in a positive sense to describe a sincere, open, and courageous person who does not conceal their feelings.

Ko‘ngli pok — refers to a pure and innocent heart that wishes no harm to anyone.

Ko‘ngli qattiq — used in reference to merciless, cruel, unkind, and heartless individuals.

It can be stated that in the works of Uzbek writers, the concept of “ko‘ngil” is depicted as the foundation of human existence. For example, in Oybek’s works, the expression “ko‘ngli oq” emphasizes the inner innocence of a character. In the works of the great representative of classical Uzbek literature, Alisher Navoi, the concept of “ko‘ngil” also occupies a central place. The poet interprets the “ko‘ngil” as the spiritual world of beauty and a treasury of divine secrets. This can be seen in his famous couplet:

“The ko‘ngil is a treasury of rubies and pearls,

Its key is a pearl within the mouth of the world.”

Here, Navoi likens the “ko‘ngil” to a treasury where precious jewels are kept. The concepts previously mentioned, such as “ko‘ngli pok” and “ko‘ngli ochiq,” are directly connected with this treasury — the inner beauty of a person.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the study of the concept of “ko‘ngil” in the Uzbek linguistic worldview demonstrates that it is not merely a lexical unit, but a phenomenon that defines the spiritual identity of the nation. Overall, the semantic scope of the concept of “ko‘ngil” is so broad that it proves the richness of the Uzbek language and the remarkable subtlety of our national way of thinking.