Metaphors in the Poetry of Mashkhur Zhusip Kopeuly

Authors

  • Zaure Sovetova

    Department of Languages, Almaty University of Power Engineering and Telecommunications named after Gumarbek Daukeyev, Almaty 050013, Kazakhstan
  • Aray Zhundibayeva

    The Department of Kazakh Literature, Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University, Almaty 050010, Kazakhstan
  • Aigul Aratayeva

    Languages Development Center, Karaganda Medical University, Karaganda 100000, Kazakhstan
  • Gulnara Yeleukulova

    Foreign Languages Department, Kazakh National Research Technical University, Almaty 050013, Kazakhstan
  • Zhanakul Sametova

    Insitute of Philology, Kazakh National Pedagogical University named after Abay, Almaty 050010, Kazakhstan
  • Gulnaz Tokshylykova

    Department of Kazakh Literature and Teaching Methodology Named after Academician S. Kirabayev, Kazakh National Pedagogical University named after Abay, Almaty 050010, Kazakhstan
  • Kalamkas Kalybekova

    Department of Kazakh Language and Culture, Karaganda Technical University named after Abylkas Saginov, Karaganda 100000, Kazakhstan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v7i9.10907
Received: 5 July 2025 | Revised: 10 July 2025 | Accepted: 30 July 2025 | Published Online: 28 August 2025

Abstract

This article presents a comprehensive cognitive-linguistic, cultural-linguistic, and conceptual analysis of metaphorical structures in the poetry of Mashkhur Zhusip Kopeuly. The main objective is to characterize metaphors not merely as poetic devices but as symbolic codes that reflect national consciousness and a spiritual worldview. Through metaphor, the poet conveys complex relationships between man and God, spirit and ego, people and rulers, knowledge and ignorance–using deep symbolic imagery rooted in Kazakh cultural and religious tradition. The article examines conceptual metaphors such as "spring's source," "boat," "river," "stallion," and "the boat of trust" from both poetic and epistemological perspectives. Mystical and religious metaphors are analyzed to reveal the presence of Sufi poetics and an Islamic worldview in Mashkhur Zhusip Kopeuly's writings. Folklore-based metaphors like "ram and herd" are interpreted in the context of social hierarchy and leadership within Kazakh society. The study concludes that metaphors in Mashkhur Zhusip Kopeuly's poetry function not only as aesthetic elements but also as representations of national spirituality, historical memory, moral values, and philosophical thought. This research contributes to contemporary discourse in Kazakh linguistic anthropology and cultural linguistics. By offering an innovative methodological lens for interpreting metaphor, the article demonstrates how national worldview is encoded in poetic language.

Keywords:

Mashkhur Zhusip Kopeuly; Metaphor; Conceptual Metaphor; Cognitive Linguistics; Cultural Linguistics

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How to Cite

Sovetova, Z., Zhundibayeva, A., Aratayeva, A., Yeleukulova, G., Sametova, Z., Tokshylykova, G., & Kalybekova, K. (2025). Metaphors in the Poetry of Mashkhur Zhusip Kopeuly. Forum for Linguistic Studies, 7(9), 29–44. https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v7i9.10907

Issue

Vol. 7 , Iss. 9 (September 2025): In progress

Article Type

Article

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Copyright © 2025 Zaure Sovetova, Aray Zhundibayeva, Aigul Aratayeva, Gulnara Yeleukulova, Zhanakul Sametova, Gulnaz Tokshylykova, Kalamkas Kalybekova

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This is an open access article under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) License.