Implementation of Mythological Conceptospheres in Fairy-Tale Texts

Abstract

This article examines the implementation of mythological conceptospheres in folklore fairy-tale texts. The aim of the study is to identify mythological conceptual units represented in fairy-tale discourse and to describe their semantic and linguocultural characteristics within national worldviews. Particular attention is paid to the comparative analysis of mythological concepts in Kazakh, Karakalpak, Uzbek and English folklore. The study employs descriptive, comparative, conceptual and linguocultural methods. The analysis demonstrates that mythological units such as Mástan/Maston, Jalmao‘ız/Yalmog‘iz, Jeztırnaq/Jestirnoq, Súrel/Sórel, Kuyańqı/Kóńayaq, and Albaslı/Albasti may acquire different semantic characteristics according to gender, age, positive or negative connotation, power and religious associations. Although many mythological units have common roots among related peoples, their verbalization and cultural meanings differ across national linguistic landscapes. The findings demonstrate that mythological conceptospheres constitute important linguistic means for representing historical memory, worldview and national cultural identity.