From Lexeme to Worldview: Constructing Cultural Meaning Through the Semantic Field of Hope/Umid

Abstract

This article explores the semantic and cultural dimensions of the abstract emotional concept hope, focusing on its linguistic realizations in English (hope) and Uzbek (umid). Anchored in the theory of lexical-semantic fields, the study examines how individual lexemes serve as cognitive and cultural signposts, contributing to broader worldview construction within a given language. By employing componential analysis, contrastive lexicography, and cultural linguistics, the article maps the core and peripheral meanings associated with hope/umid, identifying both universal emotional structures and culture-specific semantic patterns. The article demonstrates that lexical items like hope and umid are not merely linguistic units but carriers of cultural memory and emotional worldview, highlighting the dynamic relationship between language, thought, and cultural identity.