FUNCTIONAL-PRAGMATIC POTENTIAL OF METAPHOR AND CULTURAL MARKING (CORPUS-BASED ENGLISH–UZBEK COMPARISON).

Metaphor occupies a central position in modern linguistics, no longer viewed merely as a decorative stylistic device but as a fundamental mechanism of human cognition and communication. Following the ideas of George Lakoff and Mark Johnson, metaphor is understood as a conceptual tool that structures thought and shapes how individuals perceive abstract phenomena such as time, emotion, politics, and social relations. Thus, metaphor plays a crucial role in organizing experience and constructing meaning.

From a functional-pragmatic perspective, metaphor is not only cognitive but also communicative. It influences interpretation, conveys evaluation, and reflects speakers’ intentions within specific contexts. Cultural factors further shape metaphorical expressions, as linguistic choices are embedded in national traditions, values, and worldviews. Therefore, meaning construction emerges from the interaction between language, context, and culture.