Publication Details
Abstract
The article examines English and Russian phraseological units denoting intellectual qualities from the perspective of symbolism and metaphorization. Alongside a comparative semantic analysis of phraseo-semantic subgroups representing wisdom and quick-wittedness, particular attention is paid to the symbolic foundations and metaphorical models underlying phraseological meaning. The study identifies integral and differential semes, investigates evaluative, emotional, stylistic, and expressive components of connotation, and demonstrates how culturally significant symbols and conceptual metaphors contribute to the representation of intelligence in both languages. The findings reveal that phraseological conceptualization of intellectual abilities is shaped by both universal cognitive mechanisms and culture-specific symbolic reinterpretations.