CONCEPT OF FAMILY IN THE IRISH AND KAZAKH LINGUISTIC PICTURES OF THE WORLD

Abstract

The article examines the linguocultural features of the concept of family in Kazakh and Irish cultures through comparative analysis. The relevance of this study is in the need to comprehend the linguistic picture of the world by studying the role and linguistic representation of the concept of family in the cultures of the two nations, as well as in revealing their national worldviews and value systems.

The purpose of this research is to identify the content structure, semantic field, and cultural-linguistic characteristics of the concept of family in Kazakh and Irish cultures, as well as to highlight their similarities and differences.

The study employs methods of linguocultural and comparative analysis, which made it possible to determine the structural and semantic features of the concept of family in both cultures. The research material includes explanatory and terminological dictionaries, Kazakh and Irish proverbs, sayings, and phraseological units. Based on these sources, a broad semantic field of the concept of family was identified, including biological, social, legal, and cultural aspects.

The article also provides an overview of the scientific foundations and theoretical aspects of the notion of concept which is defined as a mental structure that accumulates the historical, cultural, and linguistic experience of a particular people.

The concept of family in Kazakh and Irish cultures is analyzed through three semantic domains: family relationships, elements of everyday life, and abstract notions. In both cultures, the family appears as a symbol of love, unity, care, and spiritual connection. However, Kazakh culture emphasizes family unity, respect for elders, adherence to traditions, and generational continuity, whereas in Irish culture values such as independence, freedom, personal responsibility, family comfort, unity, and security are highlighted.

The results of the analysis demonstrate that the concept of family is an essential component of the national cultural worldview.

The findings of the article have theoretical significance for research in the fields of cognitive linguistics, ethnolinguistics, and linguoculturology. This study has practical value through the use of its findings in teaching and researching concepts in comparative linguistics, semantics, and cultural studies, and in creating instructional resources for humanities subjects.