Становлення прецедентних імен та еволюція їх значення в американському медіадискурсі (Formation of precedent-related names and evolution of their meaning in the American media discourse)

Abstract

У статті проводиться дослідження процесу становлення імен як прецедентних та еволюції їх значення. Визначаються та ілюструються основні причини зміни значень прецедентних імен та чинники, що сприяють витісненню наявних прецедентних імен новими. (The article investigates the processes of the evolution of precedent-related names. On the basis of modern media, the author illustrates the examples of the processes taking place with precedent-related names and explains the reasons for these processes. A precedent-related name usually represents a bigger number of similar objects being the most prominent representative of this group. If a new name appears, it may substitute the existing one. The names in question may also function simultaneously in the language and be used as synonyms. The new precedent-related name may displace the existing one because of a much stronger emotional impact, or because of its relative novelty. Another reason for the displacement of a precedent-related name is the change in its interpretation. Since each precedent-related name has a set of dominant features, if another feature appears, it can conflict with the existing ones up to the point when the name changes its meaning and can no longer be used to nominate the same things. The results of the research expose the dynamic nature of the cognitive features of precedent-related names and help to trace the exact moment when a precedent-related name appears in the language or changes its meaning.