Cultural features of the concept of “Anger” in French and Uzbek

The Mt Kenya Times

Culture
10 November 2026

The Mt Kenya Times

By: Xurramova Farangiz

Abstract: This article presents a comparative linguocultural analysis of the concept of “anger” in French and Uzbek. The study examines phraseological units, metaphorical models, and lexical means used to express anger in both language systems. It also reveals the influence of national mentality, customs, and social values on the expression of this emotion. The findings show that the concept of anger is shaped in a distinctive way in each culture and reflects the national worldview through language.

Keywords: anger, linguoculturology, phraseology, metaphor, cognitive linguistics, French language, Uzbek language, emotion.

INTRODUCTION

The close relationship between language and culture is considered one of the main areas of modern linguistics [Teliya, 1996, pp. 12–15]. Human emotions, particularly complex emotional states such as anger, are expressed differently in different languages, and these differences are closely connected with national mentality [Lakoff and Johnson, 1980, pp. 30–32].

The main aim of this article is to identify the linguocultural features of the concept of anger in French and Uzbek, to conduct a comparative analysis of the means used to express it, and to reveal its cultural foundations.

MAIN BODY

Language and Culture

Methodology (Methods)

The following methods were used in the study:

comparative-analytical method

linguocultural approach

cognitive-semantic analysis

analysis of phraseological units

Phraseological dictionaries of Uzbek and French, as well as scholarly sources, were used as research materials.

Results

The analysis revealed the following results:

In Uzbek, anger is more often expressed as an internal and controlled emotion.

In French, anger is expressed more openly and emphatically.

In Uzbek, anger is more often expressed as an internal and controlled emotion [Wierzbicka, 1999, pp. 60–63].

In French, anger is expressed more openly and emphatically [Kovecses, 2000, pp. 145–150].

The metaphor ANGER = HEAT exists in both languages [Lakoff and Johnson, 1980, pp. 13–15].

The ANGER = EXPLOSION model is dominant in French [Kovecses, 2000, pp. 150–152].

The ANGER = PRESSURE (internal pressure) model is prominent in Uzbek [Wierzbicka, 1999, pp. 70–72].

The following Uzbek expressions demonstrate the implicit expression of anger:

* to swallow one’s anger

* to grit one’s teeth

* it did not show on one’s face

These expressions indicate the importance of patience and social balance in society.

In French, however, the following expressions are used:

* exploser de colère > to explode with anger / to become very angry

This expression describes the sudden, intense, and open manifestation of anger.

For example: Il a explosé de colère quand il a appris la nouvelle > He exploded with anger when he heard the news.

* voir rouge > to see red

This expression describes an increase in anger and a decrease in a person’s emotional self-control.

For example: Quand il a menti, il a vu rouge > When he lied, he saw red.

* s’emporter > to lose one’s temper / to act uncontrollably out of anger

This expression denotes sudden and uncontrolled anger.

For example: Il s’est emporté lors de la réunion. > He lost his temper during the meeting.

These expressions demonstrate the open manifestation of emotion.

These differences can be explained by the following:

collectivism is predominant in Uzbek culture;

individualism is predominant in French culture.

Expression	Uzbek equivalent	Explanation
Être furieux	To be very angry	A high degree of anger
Perdre son sang-froid	To lose one’s patience	To lose control and react with anger
Se mettre en colère	To start getting angry	Ordinary anger that develops gradually
Avoir la rage	To be extremely angry	Strong inner anger
Se fâcher	To get angry	Ordinary, everyday anger

CONCLUSION

The findings of the study show that although the concept of anger is universal, its expression through language depends on cultural characteristics. In Uzbek, it is manifested more often as an internal and controlled emotion, whereas in French it is expressed openly and freely. This confirms the close relationship between language and culture.

Xurramova Farangiz is a Second-year student at Samarkand State Institute of Foreign Languages, Faculty of Romance-German Studies, Department of French Philology