Animal-Based Metaphors as Being a Lingua-Cultural Way in the Field of Football Club Titles

Metaphor is a linguistic phenomenon related to people s cultures. It is an integral part of cultural heritage. This paper tackles the use of animal-based metaphors in the field of football club titles so as to draw comparisons between those in Russian with their counterparts in Arabic. Names of animals are used to refer to some clubs and teams, where these names or titles reflect animal features such as strength, preying on victims; or animal figures are employed in the club symbols, or due to the similarity of the club shirt to the animal outer shapes in colours. For instance, an-Nawaris, which means gulls in English, is used to refer to az-Zawraa club due to the identity in colours of both the outer colours of the birds and the club shirt, and to the way players celebrate their scoring goals. Suqoor also, which means hawks in English, refers to the Air Force club; it agrees with the symbol of club, since a hawk is sharp-sighted and is able prey on victims instantly. As for thiaabul-sahree, which means in English desert wolves, is related to ar-Ramadi Club, and symbolizes the players to having the ability to prey on the other teams at home-playground, and to over well-established teams. As for UsoodulhAasimah, which means lions of the capital-city, it is associated with Baghdad Club. The team thereof has the characteristics of lions in respect to strength and bravery, along with well-done goal defense. Titles employing animal names are often used in Arab, African and European Countries, as well as in the media. They add to the beauty and understanding of the texts .