Stilska vrednost somatskih frazeoloških jedinica u Sijarićevom romanu Kuću kućom čine lastavice
STYLISTIC VALUE OF SOMATIC PHRASEOLOGICAL UNITS IN SIJARIC’S NOVEL KUĆU KUĆOM ČINE LASTAVICE

Summary/Abstract: Every language possesses its unique idiomatic expressions, deeply rooted in its culture and tradition. These idioms, or phraseological units, are not merely tools for conveying information, but significant carriers of a national identity and cultural heritage. It is precisely within phraseology that we uncover the specificities of a language, often intricately connected with its historical, social and cultural contexts. Phraseology can be viewed as one of the liveliest and most dynamic areas of a linguistic structure, constantly reflecting changes in the way people express their thoughts, feelings and attitudes. It provides a unique insight into the peculiarities of spoken expression and the mentality of a particular linguistic community, as each phrase is deeply linked with life experiences, customs, values and symbols characteristic of the language and its people. Phraseological units represent fixed, stable linguistic constructions used as unities. They have meanings often transcending the literal scope of the individual words that comprise them. For this reason, phraseology occupies a special place within linguistic creativity and expressiveness. It not only significantly enriches the lexicon of a language, but also vividly and metaphorically reflects the cultural spirit, everyday habits, emotional reactions and attitudes of its speakers. Understanding and proper use of phraseological units represent a higher level of linguistic competence because they require that the speaker possess a deeper knowledge not only of grammatical and lexical rules, but also of the context in which expressions are used, their metaphorical layers of meaning and the emotional nuances they carry. Moreover, phraseological competence enables speakers to interpret discourse more subtly, to recognise irony, sarcasm or humour, and to adopt appropriate stylistic registers in diverse communicative situations. It serves as a bridge between linguistic knowledge and cultural literacy, allowing individuals not just to communicate, but to belong – to fully participate in the social and cultural fabric of a language community. Hence, phraseology is not only a linguistic phenomenon, but a reflection of collective memory, worldview and identity. One particularly interesting and important group of phraseological units are somatic phraseologisms – i.e. expressions containing terms related to parts of the human body, internal organs or bodily fluids. This group belongs to the oldest and most stable layers of phraseology, as their symbolism is rooted in the universal and deeply embodied human experience. The body represents the primary tool through which individuals perceive reality, interact with the environment and understand both themselves and others. Thus, somatic phraseologisms transcend their literal reference to anatomy or physiological function; they reflect psychological states, emotional reactions, interpersonal relationships and sociocultural attitudes. These expressions often convey complex ideas in a compact and metaphorically rich form – such as “to have a big heart” or “to turn one’s back on someone” – revealing not only personal traits but also moral or cultural values embedded within a community. Furthermore, many of these phrases incorporate elements beyond the physical body, such as references to the soul, spirit or mind, and frequently intertwine with animal metaphors or natural imagery, thereby intensifying their symbolic potential. Due to their grounding in shared human experiences, many somatic phraseologisms have equivalents in various languages, facilitating crosscultural understanding. Still, subtle differences in usage, emphasis or symbolism underscore the unique worldview and traditions of each linguistic community. Their study provides valuable insight into the intersection of language, culture, cognition and identity. The classification of somatic phraseologisms can be carried out based on several relevant criteria, among which one of the most commonly applied is the division according to the specific body part the expressions refer to. In this sense, somatic idioms can be grouped into those referring to external body parts (such as the head, hands, legs, eyes, mouth) and those associated with internal organs (such as the heart, liver, stomach, lungs). Furthermore, they can also be categorised by body orientation, distinguishing between phrases linked to the front (face, chest, eyes) or the back (back, spine, heels) of the body. Another significant criterion includes the functional association of the body part involved – whether it pertains to movement, perception (such as sight or hearing), speech, digestion or emotional response. In this context, the semantic motivation of a phrase often emerges from the biological or symbolic function of the respective organ, making the idiom intuitively meaningful and grounded in shared human experience.

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