Lexico-grammatical representation of the concept of FAMILY in Russian and English blog discourses

The article examines the metaphorical representation at the lexical-grammatical level of the concept of FAMILY in Russian and English blog discourses. The relevance of the study is determined by the fact that blog discourse captures the dynamics of the value worldview and allows for the identification of current ways to reinterpret basic cultural concepts. The subject of the study includes lexical representatives, grammatical constructions, and conceptual-metaphorical models through which the concept of FAMILY is actualized and reinterpreted in Russian and English user comments in blog discourse. The aim of the article is to identify the lexical, grammatical, and metaphorical means through which the concept of FAMILY is actualized in the two language segments of blog discourse. The material consists of Russian and English comments on posts in the social network Threads about family relationships, relatives, and the value of family. The study employs methods of complete sampling, lexical-semantic, lexical-grammatical, conceptual-metaphorical, and comparative analysis. The novelty of the work lies in the comparative analysis of comments from agents of blog discourse, in which family is understood not only as a blood-related bond but also as a space of choice, support, safety, boundaries, and emotional well-being. It was found that in the Russian-language material, the dominant models are FAMILY IS VALUE, FAMILY IS TEAM, FAMILY IS CHOICE, FAMILY IS LABOR/PROJECT. In the English-language material, the models FAMILY IS TRAUMA, FAMILY IS CONTROL, FAMILY IS BATTLEFIELD, FAMILY IS A CHOICE are more pronounced. Predicative constructions, negative and contrasting models, modal forms, and evaluative vocabulary play a significant role. The conclusion is drawn about the transition from the traditional understanding of family as an unconditional blood-related fact to the representation of family as a voluntary space of support and safety.