Symbolism of the blue/light blue color in the English and German publicistic texts

Abstract

This article aims to determine similarities and differences in manifestation of symbolism of the blue/light blue color in the English and German publicistic texts. The subject of this research is the semantics of English and German lexemes representing the blue/light blue color in both languages. The symbolism of this color designation is selected due to its insufficient coverage in comparative linguistics. Based on the material of lexicographic sources, the author describes the dictionary meanings of the aforementioned lexemes, which resemble symbolism of the blue color in the English and German publicistic texts. The scientific novelty lies in the establishment of similarities and differences of symbolism of the blue/light blue color on the example of the English and German publicistic texts, highlighting that in the English texts, the lexemes that denote these colors are used more often than in the German texts (English word ‘blue’; German word ‘blau’). The conducted analysis reveals that in the English publicistic texts, symbolism of the blue/light blue color is applied in creation of precedent names, as well as nominations of affiliation to a particular party, nobility, symbol of nobleness, purity, or despondency, suppression of wrongdoing. In the German publicistic texts, this color designated affiliation to the political party, or authorization document for foreign employees. Comparison of the content of lexemes ‘blue’ and ‘blau’ in the English and German texts reveals more similarities. However, in the English publicistic texts, this lexeme denotes the symbolism of sadness, despondency, or noble descent.