The basic concept of fear in modern Greek language: aspect of metaphorization of physical states

The article focuses on one of the aspects of the metaphorical representation of the emotional concept of fear in modern Greek Language, aiming to identifying the features of fear conceptualization process that originate from its basic nature inherent to human beings and other living creatures. The research methodology includes analyzing dictionary definitions, using the etymological method, and conducting frame analysis. In modern Greek, fear is expressed as a deviation from one’s natural state in one direction or another: lexical and phraseological units under study are semantically can be classified into a person’s internal reaction to fear (the slots “breathing”, “speech” and others) and to external influences (the slot “blow”, metaphorization of fear as a living thing, an enemy). While there are certain ethnospecific manifestations of fear, there are also universal features that are manifested cross-culturally and influenced by the fundamental nature of fear. This nature serves as a basis for the formation of more complex, uniquely human levels of the concept realization, including mythological, psychological, behavioral, expressive, and existential ones. These levels emerge from people’s experiences with the surrounding world and are often represented through somatisms. Ultimately, these levels find their fullest representation in discourse as components of a comprehensive concept.