SEMANTIC TRANSFORMATIONS OF PHRASEOLOGICAL UNITS AS A MEANS OF INTERTEXTUALITY

This article explores the concept of semantic transformations in phraseological units (PUs) as a crucial means of intertextuality in linguistic and literary analysis. Intertextuality, as a theoretical framework, highlights how texts influence and reference each other, often using specific linguistic devices such as phraseological units. These units, which include idiomatic expressions, proverbs, and fixed phrases, are subject to various semantic shifts when employed in different contexts, leading to new layers of meaning and intertextual connections. The article examines how semantic transformations of phraseological units function in literature, media, and everyday discourse to create intertextual links that enrich text interpretation and meaning-making. The study investigates different types of semantic transformations, including metaphorical extension, semantic narrowing, polysemy, irony, and recomposition, demonstrating how these changes contribute to intertextual dialogue. By analyzing literary texts, media discourse, and spoken language, the research illustrates the role of phraseological units in shaping textual relationships and enhancing cultural meaning-making. A cross-linguistic perspective is also provided through a comparative analysis of English phraseological units and their adaptations in Russian and Uzbek. This approach reveals the extent to which semantic transformations are culture-dependent and how they function in translation to maintain intertextual references. The findings of the study have significant implications for linguistic research, translation studies, and literary analysis. Understanding the intertextual potential of phraseological units can enhance cross-cultural communication, improve translation accuracy, and contribute to a deeper interpretation of texts. The research also highlights the role of phraseology in media and popular culture, where modified expressions create humor, irony, and socio-political commentary.