Idiomatic space of the concept MOTHERLAND in the English and Ukrainian languages

Abstract

The article presents the study of the verbalization of the concept motherland in the Ukrainian and English languages. In today’s world, the question of importance of the concept motherland is more pressing than ever. In view of the tragic events in Ukraine and the sociopolitical situation in Britain, the
concept motherland acquires a special resonance, which determined the relevance of this study. The research establishes the theoretical basis for examining the concept motherland, unveiling its essence in philosophical and theoretical contexts. The concept is analyzed in the studied languages, considering both diachronic and synchronic perspectives. The study reveals that in Ukrainian ethnic consciousness, the concept motherland is associated with home, family and evokes warm feelings, although the illusions of the ideal are no longer present. The English concept motherland is slightly different, as the country’s rich history inspires a sense of pride, but often grappling with issues such as a lack of unity. Common basic cognitive-invariant archetypal constants of both peoples as descendants of Indo-Europeans include benevolence, patriotism, hospitality and success. However, in the process of historical and cultural development, each ethnic group acquired distinct variant profiles. Rational kindness is characteristic of the British, while openness and sincerity are typical of Ukrainians. The British exhibit abstractness in expressing feelings towards their native country, whereas Ukrainians demonstrate a close-intimate attitude towards their homeland. Stereotypically, the British may possess a sense of national superiority over other peoples, while Ukrainians harbor an interested attitude towards foreigners. Although researchers refer to the linguistic and cultural concept motherland as abstract and universal, as its deeper reconstruction shows, it has a clearly expressed ethno-cultural marking.