Emotional Discourse in Cross-Cultural Context: A Study of Joy and Sadness in English and Uzbek

This article examines the linguistic and cultural representation of joy and sadness in English and Uzbek discourse from a cross-cultural and pragmatic perspective. Although emotions are universal in human experience, their linguistic expression is strongly influenced by cultural and social norms. By analyzing idioms, metaphors, phraseological units, and pragmatic strategies, the study reveals significant differences in how English and Uzbek speakers conceptualize and communicate feelings. The findings demonstrate that Uzbek discourse tends to emphasize collectivism, ritualized forms, and direct imagery, whereas English discourse highlights individuality, metaphorical abstraction, and indirect expression.