THE EXPRESSION OF THE NEAR–FAR OPPOSITION IN THE SOCIOPSYCHOLOGICAL AND RELATIONAL SEMANTICS OF ENGLISH AND UZBEK LANGUAGES

Abstract

This study explores how the spatial opposition near–far (Uzbek: yaqin–uzoq) is conceptualized in socio-psychological and relational terms in English and Uzbek. Focusing on corpus-based usage examples rather than abstract theory, we analyze how “near” and “far” convey interpersonal closeness, distance, emotional detachment, social hierarchy, and connection. Using examples from Uzbek literary texts, news, proverbs, and idiomatic expressions (with English translations), we demonstrate that both languages employ spatial vocabulary to structure social relationships and feelings