Abstract
This research presents a comparative study of phraseological units in selected African languages and English, focusing on their semantic, structural, and cultural peculiarities. Phraseological units, consisting of idioms, proverbs, collocations, and fixed expressions, constitute an essential component of linguistic competence and cultural identity. They embody collective experience, worldviews, and social values, making them significant for both linguistic analysis and intercultural communication. The research aims to analyse the similarities and differences in the formation, usage, and interpretation of phraseological units across diverse linguistic and cultural contexts. Drawing on theories from cognitive linguistics, cultural linguistics, and phraseology, this study employs qualitative and comparative methods to analyse data collected from literary texts, dictionaries, and spoken discourse in English and selected African languages. The findings demonstrate that, while many phraseological units in both language groups share universal conceptual metaphors related to nature, the body, and social relations, they differ considerably in imagery, symbolism, and pragmatic functions. African languages tend to reflect communal values, traditional beliefs, and environmental influences, whereas English phraseology often emphasises individualism, industrial experience, and historical influences. By identifying common patterns and culturally specific features, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of linguistic relativity and cross-cultural semantics. The results are expected to benefit linguists, translators, language educators, and intercultural communication specialists by providing insights into the cultural embeddedness of phraseology and its role in facilitating human interaction.