Abstract:
Types and ways of semantic changes in linguistics of the 1990 s – beginning of the
XXI century
The article deals with views of European language researchers of the 1990s. –
beginning of the XXI century on the types and ways of semantic changes, semantic
reconstruction and syncretism, existence of the European proto-language and close
connection of semasiology and etymology. Among the most important goals of
semasiology are classification of semantic changes and finding certain universal
laws of such changes. Carrying out these tasks language researchers can’t ignore the
help of various linguistic and non-linguistic sciences which provide semasiology
with numerous language facts and contribute to the building up a more or less
complete picture of semantic changes nature. Accepting the idea of a proto language existence is beneficial as it gives an exceptional opportunity to trace
changes in meaning long back in history and enables linguists to find universal
laws. Unfortunately, hypothetic nature of some results can’t be avoided. That is why
it is essential to go deep into diachronic investigation and select the most effective
methods of linguistic studies. It is vital to identify and justify the scientific views on
the principles of diachronic study of the semantic structure of words and reveal the
patterns of development of comparative studies in such an important area of it as
diachronic semasiology. The article is conducted in lingvo-historiographic aspect. It
discloses the characteristic features of the research of the lexical meaning of words
in the linguistics of the defined period. The development of other linguistic sciences
such as etymology, has had a huge impact on the study of language, providing a
large number of artifacts from different epochs and cultures. This has contributed
to the allocation of certain factors that affect the development of semantic words in
different languages. The principles of semantic reconstruction have played a vital role in the development of diachronic semasiology as a separate branch of linguistics.
