On linguistic and cultural identity representation in English dictionaries

Aim. The investigation refers to the area of English lexicography in terms of linguistic and cultural meanings representational specifics in dictionaries of different types. The objective of the research in question concerns ways of manifestation of cultural identity characteristics in dictionary materials.

Methodology. The research is based on complex methodology, which comprises descriptive, contextual, conceptual and comparative approaches to language and speech phenomena in reference to linguistic meanings semantic and linguoculturological analysis, with special attention to the process of linguistic units’ representation in dictionaries of different types.

Results. Dictionaries as the source of linguistic and cultural information possess the ability to express linguocultural identity characteristics as referred to the English‑speaking community. In accordance with their functional purposes and strategic principles of linguistic material arrangement different types of dictionaries present the information concerned, either explicitly or implicitly, with the phenomenon of linguocultural identity, in different ways, including the ‘user’s perspective’ application as of the recent approaches in lexicographic activity.

Research implications. The paper opens new perspectives in lexicographic sources investigation with respect to the problem of national identity significant characteristics manifestation and their registering in dictionaries, including the users’ perspective approach, which lies in the field of comparative analyses of languages and cultures, and their conceptual bases.

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