FREEDOM AS A NATIONAL-CULTURAL VALUE IN FOLKLORE TEXTS

Abstract

This article examines the conceptual metaphor "freedom" as a national cultural value in British folklore through comparative and cognitive-discursive analyses. By exploring the etymology and meanings of "freedom" the study contextualizes its cultural significance. Texts from British folklore, primarily drawn from Joseph Jacobs' collections, are analyzed to identify linguistic patterns, narrative functions, and symbolic representations of freedom. The findings highlight how British folklore embeds the value of freedom, emphasizing individual agency, resistance against oppression, and the moral pursuit of justice, thus reflecting core aspects of British cultural identity.