Мовна семантика в лінгвокультурному та когнітивному вимірах

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УДК 413 ББК 81.0

Uzhhorod National University

Мовна семантика в лінгвокультурному та когнітивному вимірах

FABIAN М.Р.

The paper deals with quantitative and qualitative peculiarities of the nouns denoting etiquette in three non-related language systems - English, Ukrainian and Hungarian. To carry out the comparative research in question, the author introduces new approach to the study of lexical semantics which combines linguistic methods with structural - mathematical ones.

On this basis lexical semantics of the words denoting etiquette as well as their seme stock in English, Ukrainian and Hungarian languages have been highlighted and presented in the form of matrices to reveal the place, role and the functions of the nouns under study in the semantic space of corresponding languages.

Key words: lexical semantics, linguistic and structural-mathematical methods, etiquette words, quantitative and qualitative peculiarities, seme stock, semantic space.

Стаття присвячена кількісним і якісним особливостям іменників на позначення етикету в трьох неспоріднених мовних системах - англійській, українській та угорській.

Для проведення зіставного дослідження автор пропонує новий підхід до вивчення лексичної семантики, що поєднує лінгвістичні та структурно-математичні методи. На цій основі висвітлено лексичну семантику слів на позначення етикету та їхній семний склад в англійській, українській та угорській мовах у вигляді матриць, які представляють місце, роль і функції досліджуваних іменників у семантичному просторі відповідних мов.

Ключові слова: лексична семантика, лінгвістичні та структурно-математичні методи, етикетні слова, кількісні та якісні особливості, семний склад, семантичний простір.

лексичний семантика мова слово

General methodological considerations

Lexical semantics, especially the ways of its study, belongs to less investigated problems of modern linguistics, which still remain open to thought and discussion, and need their further development and study. Attempts have been made to describe and analyze different lexical structures into which the words are organized. These inquiries are conducted on the levels of single words, conceptual spheres and vocabulary as a whole. The study of lexical semantics of etiquette words in three non-related language systems suggested in the present paper aims at combining the first two levels, on the basis of which the entire vocabularies of English, Ukrainian and Hungarian languages can be studied.

In the present research, the focus is on the way lexical semantics of etiquette words as well as their seme stock can be studied with the help of linguistic and structural - mathematical methods. Taken together, they make it possible to create a formalized basis for the semantic classification of lexis, according to which language is treated as a system possessing a certain structure within which each lexical unit occupies its definite place, and stands in certain relationships to other ones. Having introduced formal, purely linguistic criterion- belonging of the words denoting etiquette to a definite part of speech- the noun, an in-depth study of their semantics has been carried out with the help of:

* matrix analysis of the words' lexical semantics to construct the tables based on the principles of the set theory;

• correlation study of etiquette words and their seme stock in the semantic space of English, Ukrainian and Hungarian.

Matrix method of presenting the semantic relations between the words is considered to be a metalanguage for the description of etiquette words, and the matrix in the form of a table- as a model of the system of semantic relations, on the one hand, and the semantic structure of the lexis under study, on the other. This model fixes the semantic relations between etiquette words in the form of columns and lines of the same length, in which the correlation between words under study and their meanings is marked by the sign (¦).

Methodology of collecting the language material and analyzing its both lexical and seme stock of etiquette words lies in the following successive steps:

• from the biggest authoritative explanatory dictionaries (for each language separately) the words denoting etiquette are selected;

• on the basis of the obtained lists of words, the card indices are piled;

• both common and distinctive qualitative and quantitative analyses of etiquette words as well as their semantics are made;

• matrix modelling, where the list of lexical units denoting etiquette is placed vertically and the list of semes (components of their meanings) - horizontally;

• the sign (¦) indicates common semes found in the lexical meanings of the words under study. The obtained lists of both lexical units and semes in the matrices are grouped in descending order - from the most polysemantic/frequent to monosemantic/rarely occurring ones;

• the matrices in further language material study may serve as bases for lexico-semantic fields' modelling in the form of graphs, which make it possible to pass from the seme and lexical structures as autonomous microsystems' analyses to the study of words' correlations.

Findings and discussion

Etiquette is defined as the formal rules of proper (social) behaviour. It can be expressed verbally and non-verbally. In order to provide an objective picture of the outcomes, the present study is carried out from two perspectives. The focus is initially put on lexico-semantic characteristics of etiquette words in English, Ukrainian and Hungarian; secondly, their both common and distinctive features are examined and contrasted.

The Oxford English Dictionary in 12 volumes contains 135 nouns, 707 lexical meanings of which either explicitly or implicitly denote etiquette. After having collected, analyzed and classified the language material, we obtained the following nouns expressing etiquette in modern English: respect, concern, respection, reputation, regard, consideration, intuition, respectiveness, kindness, observance, partiality, deference, ceremony, adoration, acknowledgement, interest, estimation, elegance, reward, recognition, esteem, distinction, grace, price, credit, reverence, worship, courtesy, pride, duty, charity and many others. Their lexical meanings, besides disclosing different forms and means of expressing etiquette, describe feelings and relationships between the communicants, their personal and social characteristics, attitudes to other familiar/unfamiliar people, behaviour peculiarities, manners, ways of thinking, treating other members of society, evaluating their everyday activities, etc. For example, the noun consideration means the action of looking at or surveying with the bodily or mental eyes, beholding, contemplation; regard for the circumstances, feelings, comfort, etc., thoughtfulness for another, thoughtful kindness; manner of viewing, aspect, an observation; the keeping of a subject before the mind, attentive thought, reflection, meditation; taking into account of anything as a motive or reason. Due to the ability of words to be used in phrases, they acquire new shades of meanings. For instance, the word regard in combinations with other parts of speech possesses different semantic characteristics: to have regard to, of regard, in regard of, at regard to, in regard, for the regard of; credit-to give credit to, on the credit of, to do credit to, to give credit on, upon credit, long credit, letter of credit, etc. Such connections and also relationships between etiquette words within the vocabulary system of English help them to join other semantically related/non-related word groups on the basis of their common meanings. Besides, our language material contains words denoting disrespect, unworship, rudeness, indifference, shame, disfavour, disgrace, degradation, discredit, inattention, disesteem, disrepute, dishonour, irreverence, unconcern, defame and others. These words establish antonymic relations with etiquette ones, which means that not only synonyms but also antonyms form etiquette lexis in modern English.

The correlation between etiquette words and their lexical meanings is vividly presented in matrix, in which on the basis of dictionary definitions' analyses each word (from polysemantic to monosemantic) occupies its definite position in the language system under study. Our matrix also reveals all possible specific characteristics of lexical units: their common and distinctive features, semantic relations between them, types of correlations within the vocabulary of the language, etc.

A general conclusion that might be drawn from matrix language material presentation is that etiquette lexis occupies a significant place in the vocabulary of modern English. It makes up a system, the elements of which are hierarchically arranged: polysemantic words take densely filled places in the matrix, whereas monosemantic - rarely filled ones. Furthermore, the etiquette words are surrounded by other ones, and correspondingly, have different relations with them, simultaneously revealing both peculiarities and semantics of the words they are connected with. Moreover, around etiquette words in rarely filled places empty squares prevail, and this indicates, on the one hand, the absence of relations between the words under study and on the other hand, their potential abilities to establish various ties with other lexical units. To sum up, in the matrix which presents the semantic space of etiquette words, the latter are explained through their surroundings, being a part of the surrounding correspondences. To simplify a great deal, the places of etiquette words in the matrix are fixed, and consequently, both densely and rarely filled places in the matrix carry functional loading. Of great significance is both the distances between the words and their directions. Etiquette words in English together with all their characteristic features are vividly presented in matrix given below:

Etiquette lexis in modern Ukrainian is expressed by means of 147 words possessing 402 meanings. The list of language units has been compiled on the basis of continuous analysis of The Dictionary of Ukrainian Language in 11 volumes. The criterion for choosing the words is the same: dictionary definitions are to contain either explicit or implicit forms of expressing etiquette. Methodology is also the same as well as classification and matrix presentation of our language material. Among the most polysemantic words denoting etiquette in Ukrainian are: увага, любов, честь, зглядь, пошанування, признання, благоговіння, ушанування, преклоніння, схиляння, розкіш, слава, прийом, пієтет, шана, гордість, пишнота, святиня, велич, пристрасть, повага, поважання, шаноба, достоїнство and many others. Their semantics reveals deep respect, honour, kindness, friendly attitude towards smb., care, esteem, seriousness, resolution, good name, fame, positive feature, authority, favour, love, concern, passion for smb., attraction to smb./smth., distinction, thankfulness, etc. There are also nouns expressing violation of norms and rules of behaviour in society, disrespect, misesteem, conceit, dishonesty, hostility, disgrace, unfriendliness: пиха, пихатість, нечисть, зневага, наруга, неприязнь, неласка, профанація, нелюбов, неповага, неповажання, зазнайство, нечесність, блюзнірство, зневажливість, нелояльність, etc. To acquire additional meanings Ukrainian etiquette words enter phrases and combinations: почесна варта (guard of honour), уклонитися праху (to show the last respects to smb.), кланятися в пояс (to bow), падати в очах (to lose authority), не мати і за боже пошиття (to disrespect smb., be incapable of doing smth.), etc.

Ukrainian matrix describes the semantic space of etiquette words differently in comparison with the English one. There are more empty squares in it which beg to be filled. It means that etiquette nouns in Ukrainian have more potential possibilities to enlarge relationships with the ones within the group under study as well as establish contacts with other related/non-related vocabulary words.

At the same time monosemantic lexical units tend to form separate groups being united by common semantics. For example, the meaning of that who... unites the nouns святотатець, зневажник, неприятелька, неприхильник(ця); action, property is common for the nouns гордовитість, поважність, шанування, величання, величавість, звеличування, чесність, серйозність, солідність, рішучість, чемність, ґречність, святобливість, зарозумілість, зневажання, зневаження, нешанобливість. Furthermore, if the first set contains the lexical units possessing negative connotations (a person who disrespects, who is unfriendly), then in the second one the words are characterized by both synonymic and antonymic relations (self-importance, arrogance, contempt, indignity, irreverence, exaltation, honesty, respect, resolution, politeness, reliability). Etiquette words in Ukrainian together with all their characteristic features are vividly presented in matrix given below:

268 nouns with corresponding 639 lexical meanings form etiquette lexis in modem Hungarian. The list of words under study together with their meanings has been selected from The Explanatory Dictionary of Hungarian Language in 7 volumes. To the nouns denoting etiquette belong emberseg, mspektus, reverencia, tisztesseg, mores, becsulet, buzgalom, buzgosag, disz, hit, hitel, tekintet, tekintely, megbecsules, becs, meltanylas, udvozlet, bizalom, bizodalom, sziv, nev, szo, hos and many others. Their semantics reveals the feelings of respect, honour, kindness, loyalty, will power, courage, readiness to help, respectful attitude towards people, ability to help, support, sympathize, polite behaviour, appreciation of certain deeds, religious rituals, traditional celebrations, etc. Nouns the meanings of which have negative connotations occupy places in the middle of the matrix and on its periphery: semmi, piszok, becsuletsertes, mocsok, gyalazat, gyalazkodas, piszkossag, szegyen, becstelenseg, ragalom, szentsegtores, becsuletvesztes, becsuletrontas, sertes, szeksertes, semmibeveves and express negative human traits of character.

Significantly, Hungarian etiquette lexis abounds in words connected with religion (hit, hitel, Isten, istenseg vallas, szentseg, templom, oltar, nimbus, felisten, kapolna), ceremonial rituals and their components (disz, udvozlet, szo, sziv, koszoru, kincs, fetis, fetisizmus, kultusz, erdem, ajandek, aranyerem, unnep, baber, orgia, kalap, ceremonia), names of people as to their deeds, rank and behaviour (hos, szolga, piszok, four, gentleman, titan, barosag, nagyhercegseg, nagyasszony, tablabiro, zsebmetszo, diszdoktor, diszszonok, disztag, diszpolgar, diszelnok, fo-fo, tudo, hazafi, egyhazfi, hodolo, huncut, rabszolgatarto, zugugyved, becslo, becsar), celebrations held in honour of outstanding people, commemorative events (ajandekmusor, fogadas, bucsupohar, diszorseg, diszhangverseny, bucsuvacsora, diszebed, diszeloadas, diszfelvonulas, diszloves, diszules, diszvacsora, diszpaholy), national traditions and customs (naszdal, naszenek, kituntetes, bok, bokolas, szerencsekivanat, koszonet, hala, csok, kalap, jutalom, esku, istentisztelet, gyaszistentisztelet, halaadas, szellemidezes, hara-kiri, totem, totemizmus, csapatzaszlo, udvarlas, megszolitas, lakoma, kezcsok, meghajlas, piedesztal, adomany, bosszu, honorarium, fohajtas).

Prefix disz- in the above mentioned words denotes somebody or something of great importance, major significance, fame, value. Hungarian matrix is disproportionally filled with words - its separate fragments show rather tight relations between the nouns, whereas some places remain empty.

Moreover, the etiquette nouns possessing two lexical meanings as well monosemantic ones occupy the lowest part of matrix, revealing their potential abilities to make all possible combinations with other sets of words. Etiquette words in Hungarian together with all their characteristic features are vividly presented in matrix given below:

Conclusions

Language material presentation described in the present paper makes it possible to clearly define and determine the relationships between the etiquette words and other lexical units as well as their places and roles in the vocabulary systems of English, Ukrainian and Hungarian. After having analyzed etiquette words in each of the languages separately and constructed matrices, the contrastive analysis can be made to highlight both common and distinctive features of etiquette words' semantics.

Quantitative characteristics of etiquette words in English, Ukrainian and Hungarian are pre-sented in the following table

Qualitative characteristics of etiquette words in English, Ukrainian and Hungarian language systems make it possible to focus on both common and distinctive features of their lexical semantics.

Etiquette words in English, Ukrainian and Hungarian have much in common:

1. Together with their lexical meanings they form complex systems of definite structures.

2. They occupy definite places in the semantic space of the lexis as a part of the vocabulary corresponding languages.

3. Within the semantic space etiquette words possess the following characteristics: a) depending on the number of meanings, they can be classified into polysemantic, the ones with average degree of polysemy and monosemantic; b) on the basis of the number of lexical meanings' components, the latter can be grouped into multifunctional, having average degree of functionality and monofunctional ones.

4. Polysemantic etiquette words form the backbone of the lexis, others - its periphery.

5. Within the vocabulary of each language etiquette words establish many-sided relations with each other and also related/non-related lexical units. This ability helps unite and form groups or make various combinations with other words.

6. Etiquette words are characterized by direct and indirect connections with other lexical units.

7. Under the influence of both linguistic and extra-linguistic factors, they may change their places, connections, semantics, and have potential abilities to create quantitatively and qualitatively new surroundings by establishing quite distinct ties with other language units.

At the same time etiquette words in English, Ukrainian and Hungarian language systems are different. They differ both quantitatively and qualitatively:

1. The number of etiquette words in the languages under study is different (135/147/268).

2. The number of their lexical meanings is also different (707/402/639).

3. Each matrix has its unique form and structure.

4. The semantic space of etiquette words in the languages under study is unequally filled.

5. Though etiquette words in three non-related languages denote forms and means of expressing societal norms as well as rules of polite behaviour, their semantics differs in the ways etiquette is revealed: it is of sociolinguistic character in English, common to mankind in Ukrainian and psycho- physiological in Hungarian.

6. Our language material analysis made it possible to find out qualitatively new types of etiquette relations between people -charitable in English; social and historical in Hungarian.

7. Indirect ties between etiquette words prevail over direct ones in Hungarian as compared to English and Ukrainian.

8. High combinability of etiquette nouns with other parts of speech in English in contrast to Ukrainian and Hungarian.

9. The presence of nationally specific and culturally marked forms of expressing etiquette in Ukrainian (хліб-сіль, салют) and Hungarian (kalap, kezcsok) as compared with English.

To sum up, qualitative and quantitative peculiarities of etiquette words and their meanings in English, Ukrainian and Hungarian languages made it possible to reveal etiquette lexis as an orderly system possessing a definite structure, the elements of which occupy their fixed places in the semantic space and maintain many-sided relations with other lexical units of both related/non-related language groups. Etiquette words' semantics helps penetrate into the culture of language bearers, and find out similarities as well as differences in their mentality, habits, traditions and everyday activities.

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