“Nebo” and “Aspan” (sky) concepts in Russian and Kazakh linguistic cultures

Abstract

The paper discusses “Nebo” and “Aspan” (sky) concepts in Russian and Kazakh linguistic cultures. The article gives the analysis of the characteristic features of “Nebo” and “Aspan” concepts, identifies the main features of the concepts, their similar and different characteristics. The results of the comparative analysis of lexicographic sources (etymological, explanatory dictionaries), proverbs and phraseological expressions in the Russian and Kazakh languages show that these concepts have similar features (“inaccessibility”, “unexpectedness”, “theological”, “happiness”, “arrogance”, “contrast”) characteristic of both linguistic cultures.
Along with similar features, there are features like “prudence, common sense”, “bravery, courage”, “inappropriate hasty judgment”, “fear”, “quarrel, abuse”, “equality”, which are found only in one of the cultures. We proved that each of the concepts displays a national characteristic peculiar only to it.