Metaphor of death in old Turkic

Death is a universal phenomenon that has held profound significance in every culture throughout human history. To express and make sense of this inevitable reality, people have often relied on metaphors. Metaphors serve the function of making the unknown more comprehensible by explaining abstract concepts through concrete terms. Death, as a concept that is often avoided in direct conversation, is made more acceptable through metaphors, which vary according to different cultural contexts. In Turkish culture, death holds deep spiritual and symbolic meaning on both individual and societal levels. Among Turks, death is not merely a physical end but is also considered a spiritual journey, and this journey has been articulated through various metaphors. This thesis first examines the concept of metaphor, followed by a discussion on the cultural, societal, and philosophical dimensions of death, thereby establishing a theoretical foundation. Subsequently, the metaphors used to describe death in Old Turkic are identified, and the linguistic and cultural aspects of the concept of death are analyzed. The analyses of Old Turkic inscriptions and Uyghur texts reveal how death has been expressed through different metaphors and how these metaphors align with the society's perception of death. The study also focuses on how death is reflected in the language. Expressions such as "uç-," "adrıl", "öl-", "yok bol-" and "kergek bol-" are examined to uncover their cultural and historical contexts. This thesis aims to provide a new perspective on the understanding of the concept of death in Old Turkic.