Types of Formal Variants of Words and its Features: on Vocabulary Material of Modern German Literary Language

The research analyzes formal (external) variants of the word, i.e. lexical forms of a word that have identical semantics and slight differences from each other in the material shell, which simultaneously exist in one variety of a particular language. Object of study is unstable vocabulary of modern German literary language, recorded in printed and electronic dictionaries of Germany. Relevance of this work is due to the need to overcome the fragmentation of description of variable units in the specialized literature, contradictions in solving classification problems during its systematization, as well as the aim to conduct a generalizing study in the field of formal variation of the word in German language. A field approach to analysis of formal variation of a word is implemented in the work here. The approach makes it possible to consider this phenomenon as a display of discreteness and continuity in German language, to outline the contours of core and periphery, and to show its transience. By means of continuous sampling on the basis of DUDEN dictionary and other sources, about 10,000 lexical units which are in relation to formal variation of the word were identified. Consequently, the movable parts of the word form and the repertoire of its oscillating elements were established, the amplitude of material fluctuation of the word was recorded, the most voluminous groups of unstable vocabulary within each part of speech were determined. The work carried out a multistage analysis of the formally varying words, which are characteristic of modern German literary language: 1) equivalent two-term oppositions (pairs), taking into account a) main external differences and b) all external differences of its components; 2) two-term and polynomial oppositions, demonstrating entire amplitude of oscillation of variant formations, taking into account a) one common for them lexical meaning (rows, chains), b) entire lexical-semantic structure of a word (rows-blocks). This made it possible for the first time to show the complex organization of formal variation of a word in modern German literary language, to see relationship between formal and semantic variation of a word, to determine specifics of the fluctuation of a word in specified language.

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