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Key Issues of Contemporary Linguistics

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No 4 (2014)

SCIENTIFIC LIFE

I. THEORETICAL QUESTIONS OF A GENERAL LINGUISTICS

8-15 134
Abstract
The article analyzes reticence as a system of implicit phenomena aimed at intentional concealment of information. The author examines the basic functions, characteristics and ways of realization of reticence or omission in fiction. The described forms of reticence include semantic indeterminacy, semantic incompleteness and semantic ambiguity of the utterance. Various means of expression of reticence include grammatical and lexical ones. Language markers of reticence are considered as one of the most important classification criteria.
16-22 142
Abstract
The present paper deals with the interpretation of the notion ‘separate/independent language’ and different criteria of its definition given in special literature. These criteria are used to distinguish ‘language’ as such from the idioms not having the ‘independent’ status (e. g. dialects, national-territorial/ethno-territorial variants, etc.). The problem is important not only from purely linguistic point of view - it also has social and political aspects. It is emphasized, that the question under discussion has no universally accepted principles of decision and leads sometimes to fierce debate.
23-30 116
Abstract
The article analyses the description of auditory hallucinations in contemporary English literature. The author studies the main lexis used to represent the phenomenon. The research material includes texts of contemporary American autobiography, memoirs and novels, in which the main character suffers from auditory hallucinations, i.e., hears voices that do not exist in real life. Special attention is paid to the semantic field of the English verbs of speech production and its structure. The analysis proves the negative nature of auditory hallucinations and their destructive effect.
31-37 96
Abstract
The article considers two kinds of literary critical essays: texts dealing with contents of a literary work are compared to essays focusing on style. The peculiarities of thematic structure in the texts of essays by modern English and American writers are compared. The author comes to the conclusion that, although the two kinds of essays have much in common, their thematic structure differs: in essays discussing the content of a literary work the subtheme and microtheme are more fully developed.
38-43 54
Abstract
The article is devoted to the analysis of verbal methods used in mass media to produce impact on recipient’s consciousness and particular country image formation. The paper offers analysis of mass media printed texts characteristics, analysis of manipulative technologies and mass media verbal methods to influence public consciousness on grammatical, lexical and semantic levels. Some examples received with the help of traditional method of textual analysis confirm the thesis that nowadays mass media play the key role in forming public opinion.
44-54 52
Abstract
The article focuses on authoritative dictionaries of quotations and allusions as a source of the minimal philological background knowledge needed for an increasingly full and adequate understanding of authentic texts. The comparative analysis is based on the material of two dictionaries: The Wordsworth Dictionary of Classical and Literary Allusion and Brewers Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. The step-by-step examination of the material is carried out with the help of several parameters - dictionary types, their mega-, macro- and microstructure. The material analyzed reveals both differences and similarities, and helps determine the optimal source of the philological background knowledge.
55-62 62
Abstract
This article considers the definitions of the information law terms as types of cognitive structures which reflect the results of linguistic personality’s professional activity in verbal form. The typology of the definitions based on methods of special information structuring is suggested here. The definitions of the information law terms are viewed as juridical texts possessing significant interpretative potential which is revealed depending upon language personality background and particular qualities of professional communication.
63-69 558
Abstract
The article gives a critical review of the structuralist studies of binary oppositions in mythology and folklore. Such features of mythology as the descriptiveness and narrativity, characteristic of the archetypal thinking, are pointed out. Myth which embodies the archaic vision of the world is seen as the folklore cognitive base. The author studies the notions of archetype and mythologeme as the underlying concepts in mythology and folklore. The article represents fundamental and specific folklore oppositions.
70-75 50
Abstract
The author studies Chinese proverbs involving the concept "time" which reflect the Chinese people's mentality displayed on the level of content and expression. The mental factor is displayed in figurative nature of lexical elements. The national coloring of the internal form of Chinese time-reflecting proverbs emphasizes the mentality of the Chinese ethnicity. Analysis of various examples showed that the ethnic identity is marked by images of time as a great leader, as a judge, as fate and as predestined age.
76-80 127
Abstract
The present paper deals with the characteristics of two-part allegorical saying in the Chinese language. It is noted, that although Chinese phraseology is actively studied and discussed in special literature, however, the two-part allegorical saying as a special type of phraseology is still little known, especially among foreign sinologists. In this regard, we examine the specifics of this type of Chinese phraseology, because the two-part allegorical saying is actively used in the Chinese language and plays a very important role in communication, including inter-cultural communication. Analysis shows the wide range of structural and semantic peculiarities of this kind of units and the strong influence of etymology on the interpretation of these sayings.

II. LANGUAGE UNITS OF LANGUAGE SYSTEM

81-86 46
Abstract
The problems of correlation of semantics and grammar are considered in the article. The semantics as a science is closely interlinked with philosophy, anthropology and psycholinguistics. Complex syntactic structures are interpreted from the point of view of grammar and semantics. The cases of semantic and grammatical overlapping are investigated. The problem of ambiguity of sentences is analysed. Two arguments for excluding meaning from grammar are given. The author comes to the conclusion that the most important semantic categories are represented in many grammatical systems.
87-95 226
Abstract
The article deals with the problems of vocabulary enrichment in contemporary English. Language innovations reflect the person’s world perception and convey new realia. Most new words are formed according to models existent in the language. The main models are affixation, word-composition, abbreviation, as well as changing word meaning. Shifts in word meaning and “birth” of new words are particularly noticeable in contemporary English and they are of vital importance to language innovation processes.
96-101 47
Abstract
The article is devoted to one of the aspects of tag-question grammar and lexis - the investigation of its variant with interjections. Some peculiarities of tag-questions with interjections are discussed. The tag-questions are analysed synchronically and diachronically. The source of the material under analysis are works of British writers of the period from 1500 till 1880. Some changes in frequency and variety of joined interjections and also the punctuation of the constructions are illustrated.

III. COMPARATIVE LINGUISTICS

102-111 129
Abstract
The article compares ditransitive constructions in the Russian and Chinese languages on the basis of linguistic typology. The compositions, markers and types of expressions in these languages are discussed in the paper and the correlation of the word order in ditransitive constructions with principles of iconics and hierarchy of animacy are revealed. The study focuses on similarities and differences in the directions of ditransitive constructions theme in these languages. There are three directions of movement of the theme in Chinese (the movement to the right, to the left and the bidirectional movement), while in Russian only one type of movement exists (the movement to the right).
112-120 120
Abstract
The article claims that the language of fashion discourse in modern Russian is based on translated and adapted material taken from international magazines, belles-lettres and popular scientific publications on the history and theory of fashion. It compares the English popular scientific book «How to Read Fashion» by Fiona Fulks and its Russian version. They are compared on the basis of the philological topology methods. The analysis showed the tendency to use emotional-evaluative means to produce a certain impact on the reader in Russian fashion discourse.
121-126 96
Abstract
This article is devoted to the problem of the translation of juridical terms from French into Russian and from Russian into French. The author divides legal terminology into three groups: terms that have a direct correspondence in the target language, terms that have variants in translation and non-equivalent vocabulary. So called "false friends” form a separate group. The author gives various ways to transfer nonequivalent juridical vocabulary. The author concludes that for an adequate translation, besides knowledge of both languages and familiarity with the subject (jurisprudential competence), it is imperative to know the theory of translation and to have practical translation skills.
127-134 60
Abstract
The article is devoted to the issue of translating the titular vocabulary found in the marketing materials of an international company. On the basis of the comparative analysis of examples from a corporate magazine (in English and in Russian) of the Renault Trucks company a group classification of the relevant lexical-semantic units has been made. A detailed explanation of the ways of interlingual translation in each group is given in the article. Certain conclusions about the peculiarity of the titular vocabulary as a special lexical layer, combining the elements of different speech styles, are represented as well.
135-141 114
Abstract
Two well-known names of insects - midge and fly - in Russian, English, French and Spanish are examined in the article from the point of view of their etymology and motivation. The data of various etymological sources are analyzed and conclusions about the main similarities and differences of motivations for each particular nomination in these four languages are made. The results of the research demonstrate that these languages with their different ways of development of phonetic system, lexis and grammar still have certain evidence of common origin, which can be seen during the analysis of words etymology and comparing their motivation in synchronic and diachronic aspects.
142-149 68
Abstract
This article presents the results of the linguistic and stylistic research of Russian translations of Luigi Pirandello short story The Bat. It presents the comparative analysis of the translations, done by different translators in various years. The research permits to reveal and to characterize different tendencies, from which two strategies of translation evolve: the «decorative», disposed to the decompression of the text, and the «neutralizing» one, with the prevalence of the denotative aspect of conveying information. The final part presents the conclusions about the insufficient adequacy of both strategies.
150-159 135
Abstract
The article examines the creative activity of the outstanding Russian poet and writer Bulat Okudzhava as a translator of poetry. It displays the languages from which Okudzhava translated using interlinear translations and lists the languages from which the poet could presumably translate from the original. The principles of poetic translation, to which Okudzhava adhered, are regarded and the translation of a poem by the Ukrainian poet P. Tychina, made by B. Okudzhava, is analyzed.

IV. ROMANO<SUB>-</SUB>GERMAN LINGUISTICS

160-166 50
Abstract
In nomination of French dishes various types of word formation are used. This article covers the suffixal derivatives - nouns, particularly those with diminutive suffix. The analysis of complex word formation of French dishes reveals the difference between the true and false derivatives with the diminutive suffix and reflects the evolution of their structural and semantic characteristics; it displays the formation of connections between the morphemes and investigates derivational and semantic relations.


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ISSN 2949-5059 (Print)
ISSN 2949-5075 (Online)