PROTOTYPICAL DENOTATUM AS A BASIS OF COGNITIVE SYSTEM ACTUALIZED IN THE SEMANTIC STRUCTURE OF A POLYSEMANTIC WORD (ILLUSTRATED WITH THE LEXICAL UNIT «MOUNTAIN»)

PROTOTYPICAL DENOTATUM AS A BASIS OF COGNITIVE SYSTEM ACTUALIZED IN THE SEMANTIC STRUCTURE OF A POLYSEMANTIC WORD (ILLUSTRATED WITH THE LEXICAL UNIT «MOUNTAIN»)

Author:  Oxana A. Bashkirtseva

Affiliation:  Irkutsk state university

Abstract: 
In this article we consider prototypical denotatum as a basis for the formation of semantic struc-ture of a polysemantic word. Identification of prototypical denotatum's features is made due to the analysis of a denotative situation (case); among the revealed features there are relevant and irrelevant ones that form background knowledge. Derivative meanings of a word serve the material for recon-struction of general laws of their formation. Mechanism of meanings' formation is viewed as a realiza-tion of prototypical denotatum's features.

Keywords:  prototypical denotatum, semantic structure of a polysemantic word, denotative situation, background knowledge

Pages:  55-63