CONCEPTUALIZATION OF THE LEXEMES HEART AND SOUL IN THE NOVEL «THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD» BY COLSON WHITEHEAD

Abstract

Background. The article deals with the analysis of the conceptualization of the lexemes heart and soul in the English language based on a historical fiction novel «The Underground Railroad» written by American author Colson Whitehead. Even though there is a number of research dedicated to investigation of the nature of concept and conceptualization this topic is still of paramount importance. 
 The purpose. The purpose of the investigation is to study the peculiarities of conceptualization of the lexemes heart and soul and count their conceptual meanings based on the novel «The Underground Railroad» written by Colson Whitehead. 
 Methods. To reach the aim of the research the following methods have been chosen: the descriptive method, the comparative analysis, the constructive method, the cognitive analysis.
 Results. Due to the results of the investigation, the lexeme heart which has been used 26 times in the novel as a separate lexical unit, as a component of a phrase, as a derivative and as a compound noun represents 10 conceptual meanings: 1) center; 2) complete involvement; 3) feeling of fear; 4) sincerity; 5) enthusiasm and energy; 6) unconcern; 7) kindness; 8) indifference; 9) body organ; 10) hopefulness. According to the conducted analysis, the lexeme soul used 21 times in the text of the novel conveys two main conceptual meanings: 1) a person; 2. nonphysical part of a person. 
 Discussion. Having researched all 26 examples of use of the lexeme heart and 21 instances of use of the lexeme soul in the novel «The Underground Railroad» written by Colson Whitehead, the following conclusion is formed: the number of the lexeme heart and the lexeme soul used in the novel is not significantly different, the lexeme heart is used 26 times and the lexeme soul is implemented 21 times but the number of conceptual meanings verbalized by the lexemes heart and soul is dramatically different as the lexeme heart expresses 10 conceptual ideas, whereas the lexeme soul counts 2 main conceptual meanings. This result can be explained by the use of the lexeme heart as a stem of compound nouns und as a root of derivatives which also influences the number of conceptual meanings the lexeme heart reveals, and the results can be also explained by the specificity of the genre of the novel.