SEMANTIC AND STRUCTURAL FEATURES OF APHORISMS

ABSTRACT

This article reveals the problems of translating aphorisms and the structural-semantic features of them. We know that the semantic features of aphorisms are difficult to describe scientifically. They include the depth of the statement, the presence of words-concepts, generalization, timelessness, claim to truth. The generalization of aphorisms, as their semantic feature, is reflected in the fact that they form patterns of reality that exist both in reality and in the human imagination. Timelessness is characterized by the lack of connection with any time period, its signs. The claim to truth stands out due to the fact that many authors see aphorism as a form of knowledge of reality and a source of truth. These information may be useful for the aphoristics as well as the scientists in the sphere of philology.

Keywords: aphorism, semantics, sema-sememe, structural feature, word-concepts, typification, parts and allusions, generalization, aphoristics.

The semantic features of aphorisms are difficult to describe scientifically. They include the depth of the statement, the presence of words-concepts, generalization, timelessness, claim to truth. Semantic depth is manifested in the fact that any aphorism has several interpretations. Concept words are words that denote important concepts for the whole of humanity or a separate nation. It is on the basis of certain concept words that aphorisms are divided into groups in various collections. The generalization of aphorisms, as their semantic feature, is reflected in the fact that they form patterns of reality that exist both in reality and in the human imagination. Timelessness is characterized by the lack of connection with any time period, its signs. The claim to truth stands out due to the fact that many authors see aphorism as a form of knowledge of reality and a source of truth.

Carrying out the semantic characterization of aphorisms, A. V. Korolkova defines the semantic field (based on the study of O. S. Akhmanova). The semantic field is such a component of reality that can be distinguished in human experience and has a linguistic analogue in the form of a set of word meanings. Such fields are formed taking into account the key words of aphorisms, which help in extracting sayings from the text, understanding their meaning, etc. Key words, in turn, are understood as words that convey the idea of ​​the whole text and are a significant element of the internal unity of the lexical system of the text. An aphorism may contain several keywords. They are the basis of the semantic capacity of aphorisms, help the reader to understand the deep meaning of statements, and also allow them to be included in various thematic groups and even in semantic fields. Aphorisms can also be divided into "generalized semantic categories", based on their inherent semantic-linguistic models, i.e. their typification semantic and speech structure:

1) in terms of instructive content:

a) prescriptive

b) evaluative;

2) from the point of view of types of logical-semantic relations:

a) characterizing

b) existential

c) aphorisms-assumptions;

Based on the semantic features of aphorisms, we can also distinguish original and derivative ones. Under derivative aphorisms, A.V. Korolkova proposes to understand aphorisms that use other people's sayings or their parts and allusions, or those in which the borrowing of a certain idea can be found as a result of textual research. Aphorisms that have unique ideas and forms are considered original.

Description of the structure of an aphorism is one of the unresolved issues in linguistics. The aphorism should be no less than a sentence, but not much more, because it implies brevity. The analysis of aphoristic units, carried out by A.V. Korolkova, allows us to conclude that most often aphorisms consist of two or three sentences, closely related to each other both semantically and syntactically. If at least one of these sentences is excluded, the meaning of the entire statement is lost.

The structure of aphorisms is characterized by stability and completeness. All these features reflect the structure of the aphorism. Stability is manifested in the constant reproduction of the aphorism in speech in its original form. Completeness means that the aphorism has structural and semantic integrity. In addition, brevity, expressiveness and a memorable form can be structural features of aphorisms, but, according to A. S. Avdeeva and T. E. Vodovatova, they are not concept-forming. Also, aphorisms have communicative clarity, i.e., the greatest unambiguity of their communicative task. This property is substantiated by the unidirectionality of the components of the structure of the aphorism. Some researchers single out such a compositional feature of aphorisms as the presence of two parts in them: verification and information. The verification part conveys background knowledge, subtext and reflects the idea itself. The informative part is the conclusion and expresses the author's perception of reality and his opinion on the idea expressed.

From the point of view of syntax, aphorisms can have a rather diverse structure. Considering aphorisms consisting of one sentence, one can distinguish those expressed with the help of simple uncomplicated and complicated sentences, as well as compound, complex and complex non-union sentences. Complicating elements in this case can be homogeneous and isolated secondary members of the sentence, appeals, introductory constructions, etc., and unions and allied words in them, in addition to the main connecting function, "carry a semantic and stylistic load." Aphorisms can also contain one-part sentences, as well as various types of incomplete sentences. The tense forms of the verbs used in aphorisms fully correspond to their semantic meaning. Due to the fact that aphorisms are characterized by generality, most of them use the present tense of verbs, which is the most “unmarked” tense form. For a clearer transmission of the author's thoughts, the expressive means of the language are used. When considering the structure of aphorisms, it is important to pay attention to the nature of the source text from which the saying is isolated. On this basis, we can distinguish poetic and prosaic aphorisms.

Thus, the structural and semantic features of aphorisms reflect the main characteristics of aphoristic units that distinguish them from other statements. Based on the considered features, we can judge the complex structural and semantic organization of aphorisms, which needs in-depth study.

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