Symbolic Signs of the Eye Concept in English Language View of the World

Abstract

The article deals with the symbolic meanings and cultural meanings associated with the concept “eye” in the English linguistic picture of the world. On the basis of a comprehensive analysis of lexicographic sources, phraseology, paremi, artistic discourse and corpus data a wide range of symbolic features of this concept is revealed. To achieve the purpose of the article a number of methods were used: linguocultural, paremiological, linguistic and linguistic-stylistic analysis, as well as the analysis of artistic discourse. It is established that the concept "eye" in English linguoculture symbolizes a “window” for comprehending the inner world of a person and reflects ideas about soul, emotions, personal qualities. At the same time, eyes are metaphorically associated with perception, aesthetic pleasure, inspiration, insight, but also greed, sinfulness, threat and cruel retribution. The revealed richness and ambivalence of symbolic meanings are explained by the cultural significance of the concept “eye” in the English tradition, its deep roots in Christianity, paganism, folklore, literature and art. The symbolism of eyes represents the national values of the English — the search for truth, love of beauty, thirst for knowledge, but also negative features that require attention. It is concluded that the concept “eye” is one of the main codes of English linguoculture, embodying the originality of the national worldview through metaphorical conceptualization of the most important “window” for cognition of reality.