The concept of “happiness” in Turkic languages: A linguocultural approach (based on Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Uzbek, Turkish)

Abstract

This article examines the national and cultural specificity of the concept of 'happiness' in Turkic languages, taking a linguistic, cultural, and cognitive approach. Adopting a qualitative research approach, it aims to reveal the interconnection between language, culture and worldview by analyzing how the concept of 'happiness' emerges in Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Uzbek and Turkish. The study is based on the theory of conceptual metaphor (Lakoff and Johnson, 1980) and a comparative-interpretative linguocultural approach. The analysis is based on proverbs and idioms in the Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Uzbek, and Turkish languages, which belong to different branches of the Turkic language family. This allows us to identify common and differing linguistic and cultural representations of the concept of 'happiness' in various Turkic traditions. The study's primary objective is to reveal the conceptual structure, semantic field, metaphorical models, and cultural representations inherent in lexemes denoting 'happiness' in Turkic languages. It covers three main areas: an etymological review of key terms (e.g. baqyt, mutluluk, bakıt); a linguistic and cultural interpretation, based on paremiological materials and idiomatic expressions; and a comparative analysis of metaphorical models. The paremiological analysis revealed that, in most Turkic cultures, happiness is generally viewed as a blessing or an external gift, originating from the will of God or fate. The most frequent metaphors include images of 'light', 'birds', 'luck', and 'gift' reflecting the common cultural perception of the impermanence of happiness. For instance, Kazakh and Turkish proverbs often depict happiness as transient, 'fleeting' or 'coming and going', depending on a person's spiritual or social harmony. Studying the concept of 'happiness' from linguistic and cultural perspectives reveals that the historical and philosophical worldview and traditional way of life of Turkic peoples play an important role in its formation. In a nomadic lifestyle, ideas about happiness are based on harmony with nature, respect for elders, and humility before fate. Islam has also had a significant influence; in the Muslim worldview, true happiness is understood as spiritual peace and the attainment of Allah's favor. For example, the following expressions are widespread among Kazakhs: ‘Sabyr tubi – sary altyn’ and ‘Qanagat – qaryn toygizar’, in which happiness is associated with patience, contentment and spiritual maturity. For many Turkic peoples, happiness is not a personal achievement or an atmosphere of external comfort, but rather a harmonious existence with nature, family and God. In conclusion, the study emphasizes that the concept of 'happiness' is firmly rooted in the cultural consciousness of the Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Uzbek and Turkish peoples, acting as both a linguistic phenomenon and a sign of national identity, collective values, historical experience and cultural worldview. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the cultural semantics of these languages, demonstrating how language constructs and preserves cultural representations of the world.