Phraseological Units, Cognitive Models, and Communicative Grammar: A Cognitive-Linguistic Study in Cultural Context

Abstract

Objective: This article examines the relationship between cognition and grammar through the analysis of grammatical categories embedded in phraseological units. Focusing on a corpus of [specify language, e.g., Kazakh/Russian/English] phraseological expressions drawn from literary texts and lexicographic sources, the study investigates how categories such as aspect, modality, and evaluation are encoded within fixed multiword constructions. Methods and Materials: The research adopts a cognitive-linguistic, descriptive approach that combines elements of prototype theory with contextual and syntagmatic analyses. Phraseological units were selected based on their stability, frequency of use, and the presence of identifiable grammatical markers. The analysis proceeds along three interrelated dimensions: (1) conceptual structure, which captures underlying cognitive schemas; (2) grammatical realization, which identifies the formal expression of categories within phraseological patterns; and (3) communicative function, which examines how these units operate in discourse. Findings: The findings show that grammatical categories in phraseological units are not merely formal features but are shaped by conventionalized cognitive models that reflect collective patterns of conceptualization. In particular, the study demonstrates that phraseological constructions preserve prototypical meanings while allowing limited variation in syntagmatic structure, thereby functioning as stable carriers of culturally embedded knowledge. Differences in the realization of grammatical categories across examples indicate that phraseological grammar operates at the intersection of fixed form and flexible interpretation. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the analysis of phraseological units provides empirical evidence for the cognitive grounding of grammatical categories, but also reveals the importance of discourse context and conventionalization in shaping their use.