National and Cultural Specificity of the Family Concept in English and Uzbek

This study explores the national and cultural specificity of the family concept in English and Uzbek linguistics within the framework of cognitive and cultural linguistics. While previous research has addressed conceptual analysis in general, limited attention has been paid to comparative studies of culturally embedded concepts in different linguistic traditions. To address this gap, the present research applies a qualitative methodology combining cognitive-semantic analysis, comparative analysis, and interpretative approaches.
The study examines lexical units, phraseological expressions, proverbs, and cultural practices related to the concept of family in both English and Uzbek contexts. The findings reveal that although the family is a universal social institution, its conceptualization differs significantly across cultures. In English culture, the family concept is closely associated with individualism, independence, and the nuclear family model, whereas in Uzbek culture it reflects collectivism, extended kinship relations, and strong intergenerational ties.
The study demonstrates that the family concept functions as a multi-layered cognitive structure incorporating linguistic, cultural, and social dimensions. It plays a crucial role in shaping worldview and social behavior. The research contributes to cognitive linguistics by emphasizing the importance of cultural specificity in conceptual analysis and provides practical implications for intercultural communication, translation studies, and language education.