Lexical semantics of the nouns denoting “honour” in English and Ukrainian

Abstract

The article aims at analysing the lexical semantics of English and Ukrainian lexemes denoting “honour”. The analysed samples are divided into the groups of polysemantic lexemes, lexical units with the middle degree of polysemy and monosemantic units. The common features of the polysemantic lexical units denoting “honour” in English and Ukrainian are the indication to respect, esteem, reverence, attention, heed or consideration given to a thing or a person, adoration, praise, thoughtfulness for other people, kindness, care or concern for something, etc. The lexical semantics of Ukrainian polysemantic words is characterized by distinctive features that define “honour” as consent, permission, baptizing someone by saying a prayer; glory, glorification, gift, etc. English polysemantic words manifest the individual traits that define the actualized phenomenon as a pleasure to recognize positive qualities of a person, the feeling of being grateful for something, etc. The lexemes with the middle degree of polysemy reveal the following common semantic features: polite behaviour that shows respect for other people, public praise and reward for somebody’s work or actions, etc. The individual semantic features of English lexemes describe “honour” as a nonverbal means of an indication of approval or recognition; a positive opinion of somebody. The Ukrainian lexemes reveal the following differentiating semantic feature defining “honour” as exaggerated praise, flattery, etc. The monosemantic lexemes manifest the following common semantic features: great respect and admiration; a good opinion of somebody, the act of showing a lot of respect for a person, honour and praise given to somebody because of their achievements, insincere praise. The individual semantic features of English lexemes include the words interpreting “honour” as a speech or piece of writing praising somebody, an extravagantly approving appraisal or review, while Ukrainian language units reveal the following differentiating semantic feature defining “honour” as a prize or other mark of recognition given in honour of achievement and a person who likes paying compliments.