Semantics of the lexemes «freedom» and «will» in the Old Russian language as a reflection of the value dominants of the historical era (based on the material of dictionaries)

Abstract

The article is devoted to identifying the connection of meanings within the semantic structure of the words «freedom» and «will» in the Old Russian language, indirectly reflecting the system of values and beliefs of the corresponding historical era. The relevance of the research is due to the insufficient study of the patterns of interpreting abstract concepts in the Russian language of the older generation. Uses a complex of linguistic methods, such as analysis of dictionary definitions, semantic field method, contextual analysis, etc. The semantics of the lexemes «freedom» and «will» in the Old Russian language is characterized by syncretism, which determines the complex connection of the meanings of these units. Thus, the word «freedom» reflects a number of correlated ideas about this phenomenon: 1) the internal (psychological) state of freedom; 2) social state of freedom; 3) causation of social freedom; 4) causation of internal freedom; 5) a person is a carrier of a state. The corresponding semantic field, the core of which is the word «freedom», in the Old Russian language has an isostructural organization. The semantic structure of the word «will» is less extensive, but it also represents the connection of this concept with the internal (mental), social and religious spheres. It is shown that freedom and will are interpreted in the Old Russian language as significant axiological phenomena that determine the self-awareness of an individual and the norms of his behavior in various spheres of life. The semantics of the words «freedom» and «will» reflect ideas about the close interaction of two principles: sacred (religious) and profane (psychological and social). At the same time, these lexemes emphasize one or another specified aspect: «freedom» primarily correlates with the social and religious spheres, while the «will» turns out to be associated with the internal (psychological) sphere of desire.