Word semantization in explanatory dictionaries

Abstract

The problem of identifying the meaning of a language unit was considered primarily in the context of the study of lexical semantics of the word, theoretical and applied aspects of lexicography and methods of language teaching. Techniques for revealing the meaning of a token in an explanatory dictionary by including in the structure of the dictionary article such components as definition, illustrations, information about stress and pronunciation, grammatical parameters, different types of information about word usage, origin, etc. became the subject of our study. The purpose of the study is to determine the parameters of word semantization. The sources of analysis were “Dictionary of the Ukrainian language”, ed. B. Hrinchenkо, “Dictionary of the Ukrainian language: in 11 volumes” and “Dictionary of the Ukrainian language”, ed. V. Zhaivoronok. The analysis of semantization techniques in the declared lexicographical works was carried out on the example of ritual vocabulary, namely the popular tokens of the Christmas cycle “засівальник”, “Коляда” (“коляда”), “кутя”, “Святвечір”. The main research methods were the descriptive method, implemented in the methods of inventory, division, interpretation, the method of lexicographic analysis, in particular the analysis of the microstructure of the dictionary, the comparative method. As a result of the research it was found that the semantization of the word in each of the analyzed dictionaries occurs according to various parameters related to the semantic, formal and functional characteristics of the word. Some of them were common to the three dictionaries, others were different. The microstructure of each of the dictionaries demonstrated a wide arsenal of semantization techniques, the main of which are illustrations, context, interpretation, information about word usage. There is a noticeable tendency to continue the lexicographic tradition from the dictionary of B. Hrichenko to new explanatory dictionaries, which are based on the work of predecessors. The widest range of semantization techniques is illustrated by “Dictionary of the Ukrainian language”, ed. V. Zhaivoronok is the newest of the studied editions, which is natural, because the lexical structure of the language is a dynamic system that is constantly updated, and therefore the means and methods of its description are improved.