The numerical component “two” in phraseology: a linguacultural research based on English and Chinese languages

Abstract

This study is devoted to the linguistic and cultural analysis of phraseological units with the numerical component “two” in English and Chinese. The aim of the article is to identify key semantic and cultural categories formed by this component in English and Chinese phraseological units and to explain the identified differences by the peculiarities of national world perception. Based on a comparative analysis of corpora of phraseological units with the components “two” / “second” (English) and “二” (Chinese), as well as the use of methods of linguistic and cultural analysis and component analysis, fundamental differences in their conceptualization have been established. It has been proven that phraseological units with the numeral “two” in English serve primarily as a tool of pragmatic and social intelligence, structuring the categories of choice, efficiency, reciprocity, and logical inference. In Chinese phraseology (chengyu), this concept functions as a philosophical constant, expressing the dialectic of the unity of opposites (“yin” and “yang”), negative duality, or acting as a structural-reinforcing element. It has been established that the identified differences are determined by the deep characteristics of cultural codes and philosophical traditions: pragmatism, rationalism and individualism, characteristic of the English-speaking worldview, as opposed to the holistic and har monizing worldview rooted in Taoism and Confucianism, which is reflected in the Chinese language. The results contribute to the understanding of the connection between language, thinking and culture.