Analysis of the Cognitive Potential of Idiomatic Expressions

Abstract

The research in the field of cognitive sciences shows that language is the basis of human interaction and development. Language is the main instrument of the formation of thinking and cognitive consciousness, and is a means of intercultural communication. This article attempts to study the cognition and pragmatics of idiomatic units, which in the theory of linguistics are considered as units of mental representation. Idiomatic expressions reflect the culture of people, the level of a social life and the development of the society. The methodological basis of the study is theoretical works touching upon the issues of cognitive and linguacultural assessment of idiomatic expressions. It is noted that the study of idiomatic expressions is appropriate from the point of view of their axiological and pragmatic potential, since language is reflected in the content and structure of idioms. Attention is drawn to the fact that idioms are most vividly verbalized in a literary text, which is a special means of expressing and transmitting information and is distinguished by its structure, expressiveness and the use of lexical and stylistic means. It is emphasized that the use of idioms in literature plays an important role, allowing authors to convey the emotional state of characters and reflect the cultural features of the language. It is concluded that idioms perform a communicative and expressive-emotional function in artistic texts.