Cognitive models of folk plant names

The articles reviews cognitive models represented in folk plant names in the Siberian dialect. Cognitive models are considered as typical schemes of the human conceptual system, on their basis all the mental representations of objects are formed, and then represented in the language by the nomination process. The research aimed to analyze and classify cognitive models which the dialect speakers use when they categorize knowledge about the nature world. Firstly, the Dictionary of Phytonyms of the Middle Ob Region in 3 vols [7] as an informative source of the research was used. And about 1560 wild herb names was selected by the continuous sampling method. Secondly, as a result of the analysis the author identified three types of cognitive models represented in dialect phytonymy, on the basis of which dialect speakers mentally categorize the knowledge of the plants surrounding them: metaphoric, metonymic and propositional. In addition, the cognitive models (metaphoric, metonymic and propositional) were described and classified. The metaphoric cognitive model. In the Middle Ob dialect phytonymy 837 plant names were found being a linguistic representation of metaphoric cognitive models (54 % of the analyzed names). The metaphorical cognitive model is based on the tendency of the human mind to compare new objects with previous ones by association. The article describes metaphoric cognitive models based on the model of cultural codes: artifact, anthropomorphic, naturemorphic (using objects of inanimate nature (like fire or sunrise) as a source of metaphors); the model which used phyto- and zoomorphic cultural codes and, finally, the model based on the sacral cultural code are described separately. The metonymic cognitive model. The metonymic model is more pragmatic, based on empirical experience and function of the known plants. Metonymic models represented in the Middle Ob dialect phytonymy confirm the functional character of cognitive metonymy, because they are used for the transmission of rational, practical experience of dialect speakers associated with the use of plants in medicine, life and agriculture. Metonymic models are presented in 246 names of plants (16 % of the analyzed names). The article describes seven types of metonymic models. The propositional cognitive model. The propositional model is used when essential characteristics of plants are described directly as they are. In dialect names of plants, propositional cognitive models are implemented in 475 phytonyms (30 % of the analyzed names). As a way to structure, store and transmit knowledge about the world of plants, propositional cognitive models are used for the broad range of information about plants: their appearance, color, taste, smell, place of growth, blossom time, tactile and other characteristic properties, including the negative impact on the person (12 groups of attributes were identified). Finally, the following conclusion was drawn: the most productive in dialect phytonymy is the metaphoric cognitive model (54 %), the propositional model has a medium productivity (30 %) and the metonymic model is least frequently used (16 %).

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