Theory of nomination and reference.

The word, the phrase and the sentence are the basic nom.units of the lang., it means that they are united by nominative function, the ability to.

The process of nomination is going names to things, objects, phenomena, qualities, actions.

The process of semiosis- something serves as a sign.

It takes places when we address smb., exchange information, present something to somebody showing our love and respect, when a painter paints his picture, when we nod or shake our head.

All these processes are different, but they have the same structure from the point of view of semiosis.

It consists of 3 components:

1. sign

2. interpreter or user

3. designatum ( what the sign means)

1. The term “semiosis” in the broadest sense means the semantic activity, human activity including the use of signs.

2. The process of endowing (наделять) linguistic signs with meaning.

3. The process of sign formation.

For lexicology-2 is important.

Nomination and semiosis are performed simultaneously.

When we give name to an object we ascribe some meaning to it.

Our language reflects the structure of the world, but not directly, it reflects the world through our conceptual sphere => language reflects our conceptualization of the world. Words are symbols, they represent objects.

There are 2 steps of conceptualization:

1. The formation of a concept or an image.

2. Establishing a link between the conception and the linguistic sign.

Nomination always presupposes idealization.

Idealization- the formation of abstractions.

Mental representation of objects, properties and relations- abstractions.

The results of this are reflected with the help of linguistic signs. Words mirror concepts through our perception of the world.

Reference- the linkage of a linguistic unit with a non-linguistic entity to which it serves a name.

The reference is that non-direct link which connects a name and the entity in the outer world.

The word is a symbolic substitute for a certain referent.

Referent shall function as a m function of the word.

Different words perform this function differently:

1. Pronounce

He, his this, that

She, her

They indicate, point out, but there is no constant referent for them (different objects each time)

Such words- deictic elements of the language, because they can be applied to any referent.

Linguistics consider then to be signs indexes.

2. Proper names.

Their reference is also unique, their content doesn’t depend on the conditions of the action communication, it doesn’t characterize an object.

2. Prepositions.

They refer to relationship between objects, but the objects are each time different.

2. Verbs.

They have meaning, but they are devoid of reference.

Conclusion:

1. Languages are semiotic system which operate with signs.

2. Signs are bilateral entities. They have signifier and signified ( the plane of content, the plane of expression).

3. Signs convey some meaning which is enveloped in a certain form.

4. Linguistic signs differ from each other according to the type of nomination and referential function which they form.