CONCEPTUALIZATION OF EMOTIONS THROUGH THE METAPHOR OF LIQUID IN ARABIC PHRASEOLOGY: A COGNITIVE-LINGUISTIC APPROACH

This article explores the “Emotions are a Liquid” metaphorical model within Arabic phraseology, aiming to identify its specific representation in Arabic linguoculture. By analyzing a significant corpus of phraseological units (FEs), key characteristics reflecting the unique perception and conceptualization of emotions in the Arabic linguistic consciousness are determined. The study’s primary purpose is to analyze and systematically classify Arabic FEs that embody the “Emotions are a Liquid” metaphor. This involves identifying and meticulously describing the structural components that constitute the metaphor, and establishing their role in the process of conceptualizing emotions and creating a distinctive Arabic linguistic and cultural worldview, reflecting the emotional experiences of native speakers. The scientific novelty lies in the author’s original classification of Arabic FEs, grounded in the identified structural components. This classification facilitates a more detailed examination of the cognitive mechanisms underlying metaphorical thought, which directly impacts the formation of the Arabic phraseological worldview. The study’s findings confirm the pervasive and highly productive nature of the “Emotions are a Liquid” metaphorical model within Arabic phraseology. This underscores the significance of this cognitive mechanism in conceptualizing emotions and representing emotional experience within Arab culture. Furthermore, the main types of Arabic FEs representing the studied metaphor are identified and systematically organized, taking into account their structural and semantic characteristics, thereby expanding the understanding of the intricate relationship between language, culture, and thought, and suggesting potential avenues for future phraseological research.