Wealth/Poverty Opposition in English and Kazakh: A Comparative Study

Abstract

This research employs linguistic concept modeling to scrutinize the semantic variations between notions of wealth and poverty in English and Kazakh, aiming to discern their contrasting characteristics. The corpora in English and Kazakh encompassing varied genres, styles, and thematic content were examined through word frequency and co-occurrence to elucidate divergent contextual frames for the terms in both languages, unveiling cultural nuances and cognitive associations. The results indicate that in English, wealth is majorly associated with financial prosperity, real estate ownership, and the availability of resources for a comfortable lifestyle. Conversely, in Kazakh-language writings, the concept of wealth extends to encompass elements like family connections and devotion to the homeland, reflecting cultural priorities and lifestyles. A comparable distinction is evident when examining the contextual usage of the term poverty. The findings underscore the significance of exploring linguistic concepts within distinct cultural and cognitive frameworks, opening avenues for further comparative linguistic research.