Specific features of functioning and semantic evolution of old french adjective “debonnaire”.
https://doi.org/10.18384/2949-5075-2023-6-123-132
Abstract
Aim. To elicit specific features and explain the reasons for the semantic development of the abstract adjective “debonnaire” in Old French.
Methodology. The corpus of Old French texts is analyzed in the paper and the range of meanings of Old French adjective“debonnaire” is stated and described. The methods of contextual and etymological analyses were used.
Results. The analysis revealed that it was the evaluative constituent of the meaning of “debonnaire” that stipulated its further evolution. Additionally, diverse cases of the adjective use in various contexts were also described, thus showing the dependence of the realized meaning on the context.
Research implications. The results obtained add to the development of the problem of syncretism / eurysemy / polysemy and enlarge the scientific knowledge of semantic characteristics of abstract vocabulary of Old French. Moreover, the meanings of Old French adjective «debonnaire» were specified which substantiates the practical significance of the research.
About the Author
M. V. Solovieva
Saint-Petersburg State University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Maria V. Solovieva – Сand. Sci. (Philology), Assoc. Prof., Department of Romance Philology
Universitetskaya naberezhnaya 7-9, St. Petersburg 199034
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