Lexical-Semantic Truncation Of Dmytro Dontsov’s Linguistic World Image

Abstract

Introduction. Lexical system of a language has always been an object of study. However, no characteristic of works by Dmytro Dontsov in terms of language has yet been provided, semantic load of the vocabulary in his works as a mental and linguistic image of the world has not been shown. As of today, scientific-journalistic style, in which lexical-semantic relations between words are the factor of actualization of attention, has remained beyond the attention.

Due to historical and political realias elimination of Diaspora’s works in the Ukrainian language corpus occurred.  Therefore, the research of antonymy, synonymy, paronymy of the text "The spirit of our antiquity" has become relevant.

Purpose. To consider lexical-semantic truncation of the work by Dmytro Dontsov as a system of creating linguistic world image.

Methods. In the article the method of informational and semantic analysis, method of structural semantics, method of textocentric analysis, method of complex analysis and others have been applied.

Results. Lexical-semantic relations between words help to characterize certain social phenomena, reproduce historical background, comprehend contemporary political realias, reflect the colouring of the text. 

The extreme right views of Dmytro Dontsov are always based on opposites, which in terms of language are reflected by antonyms. The majority of antonymic pairs describe the layering of the society, since we have: hot and cold, higher (class, caste) and lower, and others.

In order to intensify the expressiveness the author uses semantic contrast extremely often and, therefore, conceptually compares opposing views, phenomena that are reflected stylistically by antithesis. This stylistic figure accentuates cultural background of a certain epoch, renders colouring of the writer’s language. For example, antitheses of Dmytro Dontsov concern: social castes(on the one part – shameless and outlaw, and on the other part – noble).

Ideological background of the work is rendered by the stylistic figure oxymoron.  For example, a church is bezzakonyi zakon (lawless law), stala nestalist (stable instability) dominates.

The phenomenon of paronymy is connected with the phenomenon of paronomasia: comic or figurative use of words similar in sound. For example, when characterizing active populaton segment, the author feels that they will appear not from vyboru (election), but from doboru (selection). Another expression of human essence is not slava (fame), but strava (dish).

Numerous amplifications in Dmytro Dontsov’s piece of work draw the reader’s attention by means of stringing a series of words with different semantic shades. For example, sum (sorrow), tuha (grief), zhal (regret) has almost become the virtue of modern times.

In the publicist’s text numerous ranges of synonyms, antonyms, paronyms, reproducing the position of the author are used which serve as bright lingual-expressive means of creating linguistic world image.

Originality. The lexical-semantic truncation of the work "The spirit of our antiquity" by Dmytro Dontsov, which is a reproduction of linguistic world image, has been researched for the first time. State-, nation-building, actualizing and representative functions of language as a main factor of influence on public consciousness have been shown. Vocabulary of the work has been described as a significant factor in the national-ethnic way of thinking. The role of an author in the creation of lexical-semantic system of work has been shown. The original style of the author has been discovered.

Conclusion. Due to numerous oppositions (antithesis), using synonyms (amplification), expressive paronyms the scientific and journalistic text of a theorist and an ideologue of the Ukrainian nationalism is an effective tool of influence on the creation of the national elite. Lexical-semantic analysis allows showing a framework of Dmytro Dontsov’s views, convinces the reader in the position of the author, and influences understanding of the current situation.

The potential of researching this material is to show tendencies of using antithesis, amplification, paronomasia and other stylistic phenomena in various works of the author; discover lingual-stylistic peculiarities of philosophical, cultural, political works of a publicist; distinguish lexical-semantic phenomena not only at the level of synchrony but also at the level of diachrony.