Wie Hund und Katze: Ein Vergleich phraseologischer Tierverbindungen im Deutschen, Japanischen und Tschechischen
Like Dog and Cat: A Comparison of Phraseological Pairs of Animals in German, Japanese, and Czech)

Summary/Abstract: This study examines phraseological expressions that convey specific relationships or characteristics through the combination of two animal components. The focus is on German, Japanese, and Czech, aiming to analyze similarities and differences in the conceptual representation of such expressions. A striking example is the German phrase wie Hund und Katze (‘like dog and cat’), which symbolizes a hostile relationship. In Japanese, a similar expression exists, but with the animals dog and monkey instead. This illustrates how different cultures express similar concepts using varying metaphorical images. By comparing phraseological units containing animal elements, patterns emerge that point to either universal or culture-specific concepts. While some idioms are found across multiple languages, others exist only within a specific linguistic community. The study is based on specific examples from the three languages, taking into account both semantic and cultural aspects. A key objective of this research is to determine the extent to which overarching cognitive concepts can be identified in phraseological expressions across different linguistic areas. The study also examines the linguistic mechanisms that contribute to the formation of these expressions and how cultural influences shape their usage. The findings of this analysis provide valuable insights into the interaction between language, culture, and cognition in the field of phraseology.

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