Keywords
Abstract
This study explores the semantics of time by tracing the historical development and conceptualization of temporal units in natural languages. Time, as a universal yet abstract concept, is encoded through various linguistic structures such as tense, aspect, adverbs, and temporal expressions. The research
examines how different languages have evolved mechanisms to express time, focusing on the semantic shifts and grammaticalization processes that shape
temporal markers. By analyzing data from Indo-European, Turkic, and Altaic language families, this work highlights cross-linguistic similarities and differences in the representation of temporal categories such as past, present, and future. Special attention is given to the cultural and cognitive influences that drive the emergence and transformation of time-related lexemes. Through a diachronic and semantic lens, the paper aims to deepen our understanding of how language not only reflects but also structures our perception of time.