METAPHORICAL TYPES OF MOTIVATION OF WORD-FORMATION IN RUSSIAN AND CHINESE

Abstract

The article studies non-standard types of word-formation motivation based on metaphors, associations and comparisons, when the meaning of a motivating word takes a peripheral position in the interpretation of a motivated one. Metaphorical and associative motivation is an expression of the figurative thinking of people, which differs among speakers of different languages. The article compares these types of word-formation motivation in Russian and Chinese. Associative-shaped motivation is common in both Russian and Chinese when compound words are formed. But in Russian, it is represented more broadly than in Chinese, as it is associated with the formation of not only compound words, but also with affixation methods of word formation. In Chinese, this type of motivation is limited to complex nominations, presented as a multi-component combination of hieroglyphs. A comparative analysis of the peripheral types of motivation in Russian and Chinese allows a deeper understanding of word-formation mechanisms and culturally significant images and comparisons.