Nationally specific vocabulary in the linguistic worldview as a unit of contrastive analysis and lexicographical interpretation

Abstract

The article tackles nationally specific vocabulary and its place in the linguistic worldview. Our research is aimed at a linguistic and cultural analysis of words, whose semantics shows peculiarities of different ethnicities’ worldview. The study material is based on data from different dictionaries and our personal observations. As part of the study, we consider three word groups. The first group includes particular words designating specific concepts, the second group – non-specific concepts, the third group – abstract nouns. Contrastive linguistics is focused on cultural and linguistic peculiarities of the language, as their understanding is essential for intercultural communication. By identifying common and different linguistic features, which is the foundation of the contrastive analysis, graduate students gain insight not only into the Russian language, but also into peculiarities of their mother tongue. Besides, by pinpointing language similarities they understand the affinity of different cultures. Using this approach, we enhance students’ theoretical knowledge and practical skills of the Russian language. The experience, gained in the analysis of specific and abstract words, is also invaluable in translation practices, wherein an incorrect search for an equivalent in another language can bring in pseudo-correlates.