Asymmetrical antonyms in the language of Zhanna Kuiava

Abstract

Antonyms is one of language universals: it is common to all languages, and its unit detects the overall structure of the opposite value and a large similarity in the structure and semantic classification of antonyms. However, except of symmetric pairs of antonyms which components have semantic homogeneity in language, there are also asymmetrical antonyms, the components of which contain semantic hints that reinforce or weaken the value of tokens representing different degrees of a trait. Therefore, we believe that the study of asymmetry of antonyms' relations in the modern Ukrainian language is relevant and needed. The article is devoted to investigation of the phenomenon antonyms' asymmetry based on the material of artistic and literary discourse of Zhanna Kuiava. Analysed types of antonyms' asymmetry – structural, grammatical and logical, determines their stylistic functions. Characterized manifestations of the logical asymmetry of antonyms – asymmetric members of the opposition and pragmatic antonyms. Such asymmetrical antonyms based not on the opposition of semantics, but on the pragmatics, pragmatic meaning, denotes the ratio of the message content, and estimated subjective attitude to the objective reality. In the structure of lexical meaning of these antonyms are clearly identified pragmatic meanings, as they emerged from the subjective speakers' attitude to a particular person, concepts, phenomena, events, facts, and the like. Scientific problem of asymmetric antonyms requires further study of stylistic features in the framework of the artistic and literary discourse. Keywords: antonym, asymmetry, euphemism, hidden opposite, pragmatic antonym.