CONNOTATIONS OF THE AGE CONCEPT IN UZBEK AND ENGLISH LANGUAGES

This article examines the connotative representation of the age concept in Uzbek and English through comparative analysis. It explores how the notions of youth and old age carry positive or negative evaluative meanings in both languages from linguistic and cultural perspectives. Drawing on the theories of connotation and metaphor by linguists such as Y.D. Apresyan, V.N. Telia, G. Lakoff, and M. Johnson, the study analyzes age-related stereotypes, emotional and evaluative meanings, and linguistic expressions formed through cognitive models. The findings reveal that in the Uzbek language, old age is more frequently associated with positive connotations (wisdom, respect), whereas in English, youth is more often linked to positive meanings (freedom, innovation). These differences are shown to reflect the respective cultural values and attitudes toward age in each linguistic community.