А. Baytursynuly’s teachings – the linguo-cultural foundation

Abstract

This article examines Akhmet Baitursynuly’s views on the nature of language, the art of speech, and the cognitive structure of human consciousness from the perspective of contemporary cognitive linguistics. The study analyzes the concepts of “reason,” “imagination,” and “emotion” proposed by the scholar as the fundamental components of human cognition and reveals their significance in explaining the psychological and cognitive foundations of linguistic knowledge. Particular attention is paid to the interrelation between language and culture, as well as to the role of language in preserving and shaping national identity, worldview, and cultural values. The article demonstrates that Baitursynuly provided a profound interpretation of the relationship between language, thought, and consciousness. Furthermore, such notions as perception, figurative representation, and mental retention are examined in relation to modern cognitive-linguistic processes, including conceptualization, metaphorization, information processing, and evaluation. The paper also discusses the scholar’s ideas concerning verbal art, authorial style, linguistic norms, and the principle of “speech law” (lebiz zany), emphasizing their theoretical relevance for contemporary linguistic research. The findings suggest that Baitursynuly’s scholarly heritage constitutes one of the intellectual foundations of cognitive linguistics in Kazakh linguistics, while his language-based conception of cognition remains highly relevant to modern linguistic studies.