CROSS-CULTURAL COMPARISON OF IDIOMS
Keywords:
idioms, cross-cultural communication, figurative language, language comparison, cultural linguistics.Abstract
Idioms represent an essential part of any language and reflect the cultural
values, traditions, and historical experiences of the people who speak it. The
purpose of this study is to explore the similarities and differences between idioms
across cultures and languages. The research focuses on comparing idiomatic
expressions in English and other languages to identify cultural influences on
figurative language. Using qualitative comparative analysis, several idioms related
to emotions, behavior, and everyday situations were examined. The findings reveal
that while many idioms share universal meanings across cultures, their imagery
and metaphorical foundations often differ significantly due to cultural and
historical contexts. The results highlight the importance of cultural awareness in
language learning and translation. Understanding idioms from a cross-cultural
perspective helps learners interpret figurative language more accurately and
improves intercultural communication.
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