THE CONCEPT OF “CIVILIZATION” IN THE LANGUAGE PICTURE OF THE WORLD OF N.YA. DANILEVSKY

Abstract

The article examines the concept of “civilization” within the linguistic worldview of N.Ya. Danilevsky, using his seminal work Russia and Europe as the primary source. The author conducts a lexical-semantic and discourse analysis to identify the means of linguistic representation of the concept and its role in shaping an ideological model of historical development. It is established that in Danilevsky’s system of views, “civilization” is opposed to “culture” and “Slavdom,” carrying predominantly negative connotations that reflect criticism of the Western model of progress. The concept is analyzed as a value-based and worldview-related category that forms binary oppositions and serves as a tool for sacralizing the national path. The study emphasizes the significance of the concept in structuring the author’s linguistic worldview and demonstrates how civilization identity is shaped through language.