THE ROLE OF THE CONCEPT OF "POVERTY" IN THE ENGLISH AND UZBEK CONCEPTOSPHERE

Abstract

This article analyzes how the concept of “poverty” is represented in the conceptospheres of the English and Uzbek languages, highlighting both the semantic differences and similarities between them. “Poverty” is viewed not only as a socio-economic condition but also as a multilayered conceptual unit directly connected to the cultural, historical, and moral perceptions of each nation. The study explores lexical units, metaphors, proverbs, idioms, and artistic expressions related to the concept of “poverty” in both English and Uzbek. It examines the semantic fields in which this concept appears in each language and its place within the system of societal values. Furthermore, the article investigates the position of the concept in national consciousness through conceptual analysis, semantic mapping, core sememes, and their cultural interpretations. In English, the notion of poverty is more often associated with individual responsibility, opportunities, and freedom, whereas in Uzbek, it is interpreted in relation to social inequality, patience, and communal solidarity. The aim of the article is to identify both the national and universal features of the “poverty” concept through intercultural linguistic analysis and to reveal the deep interconnection between language and thought.