Hyper-Hyponymic Relations in the Lexico-Semantic Field "Transport"

Korotaeva I. E., Kapustina D. M.

The paper addresses the analysis of hyper-hyponymic relations between the constituents of the lexico-semantic field «Transport». The relevance of the investigation of this type of paradigmatic connection between lexical units is associated with the problem of lexicon systematization as hyper-hyponymic relations are an essential characteristic of semantic arrangement of nominative means of language. Transport lexical units are united within the bounds of the lexico-semantic field by semantic bonds, for example, the words «expressway», «freeway», «turnpike», «tollway» (American English) are hyponyms with respect to the hyperonym «road» (Standard English) and co-hyponyms with respect to each other. In American English the lexical units «expressway», «freeway», «turnpike», «tollway» are hyponyms with respect to the hyperonym «superhighway». Hyponyms involve the meaning content of a hyperonym: the hyponyms «car»/ «motorcar», «automobile», «bus», «truck», «motorcycle», «bicycle» and the hyperonym «vehicle». Hyper-hyponymic relations are compared with synonymy and «part-whole» relations. While regarding the correlation «part-whole» it could be stated that there are no differences in the definitions of the parts of an automobile or a plane in American and British English and in the Russian language, but American and British varieties of English have their own set of lexical units to denote them. Hyper-hyponymy is connected with the human knowledge representation and appoints the correlation between the objects and phenomena of the surrounding world. The analysis of the semantic relations is a stage of complex investigation of thematic linguo-systems that contributes to deeper understanding of the lexico-semantic system of the language and its varieties.

Keywords:hyper-hyponymic relations, hyponym, co-hyponym, hyperonym, synonymy, lexico-semantic field