On the character of attributive meanings implicated in the semantic structure of verbs in the English language

All entities existing in reality and reflected in human mind are divided into two very general categories - objects and attributes. An entity that is an attribute can also be regarded as having attributes, so an action as a dynamic attribute of an object can also have its own attributes. Being perceived and interpreted by a person, entities acquire names in the language. Thus, the way of naming is a reflection of the character of perception of extralinguistic entities by a person. The result of atomistic perception of an action and its attributes is their discrete nomination in the language, when a verb rendering an action is modified by an adverb naming an attribute of an action (speakfluently). The perception of an action and its attributes can be not only atomistic but also holistic, which leads to a higher and more complex level of their interpretation and, consequently, to their indiscrete nomination in the language (e.g. mumble - to say something indistinctly and quietly). So, in linguistic representation an attribute of an action can be not only explicated by means of a separate attributive word but also implicated in the semantic structure of a word naming an action. The implicated attributive meanings can be revealed by means of definitional analysis of verbs. The analysis of a considerable number of examples of indiscrete verbal nominations makes it possible to single out several thematic groups of such units, namely verbs of motion, speaking, visual perception, emotional reaction, physical contact, verbs with the meaning of consuming food and liquids, verbs of sounding, shining and mental activity. In the semantics of the units of the largest thematic group of verbs of indiscrete nomination - verbs of motion (run, wander etc.), the semes in the implicational part of lexical meaning render basic properties of motion: speed, direction, way and manner of performing an action, as well as its concomitant characteristics: causation, volume (sound/noise), intensity of an action of motion, its cause or purpose. Verbs of indiscrete nomination with the meaning of speaking (chat, shout etc.) are characterized by containing one or more implicated attributive meanings rendering important attributive characteristics of the action of speaking: physical (sound intensity, pitch), social (directedness of speech, its aim) and psychological (psychological condition of the producer, emotional coloring of speech, ability to express oneself distinctly). The analysis of the semantic content and, in particular, of the character of attributive meanings implicated in the semantics of verbs of indiscrete nomination in other thematic groups allows to conclude that such attributive meanings are heterogeneous and render characteristics that are essential for an action. They depend on the content of action named by the verb and on the character and significance of attributes inherent to a particular action.

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