LINGUISTIC REPRESENTATION OF SPACE THROUGH PHRASEOLOGY: A FUNCTIONAL-SEMANTIC APPROACH

Abstract

The article explores the linguistic representation of space through phraseological units that denote the spatial categories of “far” and “near.” It identifies the functional and semantic features of these phraseological units, the mechanisms of spatial image formation, their formal and grammatical structure, and their role in the linguistic picture of the world. The study analyzes the peculiarities of the spatial semantics of phraseological units and their ability to express both physical distance and temporal meanings. It has been determined that phraseological units denoting “far” generally carry a negative expressive connotation associated with inaccessibility, isolation, or obscurity, whereas phraseological units conveying the meaning of “near” are more often characterized by a positive connotation reflecting convenience and accessibility. Additionally, neutral phraseological constructions that lack strong emotional connotations are identified. The study examines the structural features of phraseological constructions, distinguishing between syntactic models (phrases and sentences) and morphological characteristics (prepositional and non-prepositional constructions). The findings can be applied in theoretical linguistics, cognitive linguistics, translation studies, and intercultural communication. The identified patterns reflect the peculiarities of space conceptualization in the Ukrainian language and contribute to the further study of the relationship between spatial and temporal categories in phraseology.