Authors

Marina S. Achaeva
Branch in Yelabuga, Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University; ul. Kazanskaya 89, Yelabuga, 423604, Respublika Tatarstan, Russian Federation;
e-mail: marinachaeva@mail.ru

Abstract

Processes of word-formation are currently of academic interest for researchers. By analysing the derivational semantic space of a language we can get insights into certain aspects of human nominative cognitive activity. This article establishes facts of differentiated denotation of fragments of reality, reflected in the lexical composition of the lexical derivational families with the base words empty/full in the Russian and English languages. The research revealed derived nominative units with specific inner form. The words making up a derivational family are derived lexical units, that is, they are the result of secondary nomination. Thus, there is every reason to believe that derivational families occupy a special place in the lexicosemantic system and the nominative space of a language. The semantic structure of lexical derivational families with the base words empty/full in Russian and English is characterized by broad, diverse and even unique lexical meanings of their derivatives. Despite the fact that the derivational potential of Russian and English adjectives differs significantly, the semantic space of the correlating lexical derivational families often coincides. The differences in the composition of derivatives arise from the polysemy of the base words, different ways of derivation, and word-building meanings that form derived vocabulary in the two languages. The results of the analysis indicate that one and the same concept, one and the same fragment of reality in the Russian and English languages have different derivational determination. This paper conceptually substantiates the affinities and differences in the structural-semantic and nominative organization of lexical derivational families of Russian and English dimensional adjectives. These affinities and differences stem from the constitutive properties of the human language, as well as similar or specific perception of objective reality by representatives of different linguistic cultures.

Keywords

lexical derivational family, derived words, semantic structure, associative relation, nominative space

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