Mental spaces of LIGHT/DARK archetypical binary opposition

Abstract

The article represents the description of ideal cognitive model of LIGHT/DARK archetypical binary opposition, metaphorically represented in the modern American political media discourse. Classific cognitive features and frames, constituting the mental spaces of the dichotomy under consideration are identified and described. The modelling of LIGHT/DARK binary pposition cognitive structure is represented by 3 stages. They are as follows: 1. the cognitive features identifed in the process of archetypical concepts' macrostructures description are referred to archetypical senses forming their mental spaces;2. the categorical structures of arcgetypical concepts are identified as frames or specific cognitive features, makong concepts' cognitive structure more detaoled;3.the character of archetypicak concepts' field organisation is determined by means of identyfying the core, the nearest and the farthest periphery of archetypical binary opposition cognitive structure.The methodology of the research is based on the cognitive-discursive paradigm, cognitive analysis of image making ways of archetypical senses ontologization in the political discourse.The novelty of research consists in representation of the ideal cognitive model of archetypical binary opposition LOGHT/DARK in the political discourse, the main characterisitic of which is conceptual assymetry, predetermining the charachter of interconnections between the components of binary opposition on the cognitive, verbal and discourse levels.