STRUCTURE AND CONTENTS OF A CONCEPT “SELF-REALIZATION” ACCORDING TO THE LEXICOGRAPHIC AND CORPUS ANALYSES

Abstract

The urgency of solving a problem of defining the contents of the concept self-realization and studying the language units representing this concept results from the difficulties in communication between experts and in translation of texts from one language into another. The task of the article is to describe the structure and functioning of the concept self-realization in the English language by means of lexicographical and corpus analysis. Dictionary definitions analysis, analysis of usage and collocability of the words in English corpora, identification of the core meaning and connotations by means of synonyms and antonyms of the lexeme self-realization were used in the study. The article studies cognitive criterions of the concept self-realization. It is established that cognition of the English native speakers includes into the figurative component such criterions as creativity; communication; religiousness; self-discovery; process, system; achievement drive, recovery. The contents of the information component are revealed through realization of personality potential by means of self-building; satisfaction with the results obtained, serenity. The interpretative component is represented by such criterions as awakening, aspiration for perfection, uniqueness, game, difficulties, and service. The authors come to the conclusion that the content of the concept self-realization and its relevance have been changing for the period of its functioning in the English language.