The Connotative (Semantic) Load of Proper Nouns in Phraseological Units

Proper nouns play a significant role in the semantic and pragmatic organization of phraseological units. Although their primary function is to identify particular individuals, places, or cultural entities, their inclusion in idiomatic expressions often gives rise to additional meanings associated with historical events, literary characters, mythology, social stereotypes, and cultural experience. This article investigates the connotative and semantic load of proper nouns in phraseological units, focusing on the relationship between denotative reference, figurative meaning, emotional evaluation, and cultural associations. The study employs descriptive, semantic, contextual, and linguocultural methods to examine selected English phraseological expressions containing anthroponyms and mythological names.