FUNCTIONAL-SEMANTIC CATEGORIES AND FUNCTIONAL-SEMANTIC FIELDS IN THE SYSTEM OF FUNCTIONAL GRAMMAR

Abstract

The authors of this article focus on the functional approach to linguistic research in general, and one of its branches—functional grammar—in particular. The functional approach allows for the dynamic study of linguistic system mechanisms, in terms of the interaction of form, content, and function, and the exploration of linguistic units within the unity of their semantic and pragmatic properties.

Functional grammar examines functional-semantic categories—complex semantic and formal unities that express abstract semantic content. The categorical approach allows for the integration of units of different levels into a single semantic space. The semantic dominant, that is, categorical content, can be represented to varying degrees and extents by different linguistic means. These can be represented as a field model, which allows for a visual representation of the system of means for realizing a given category. The field approach allows us to conceptualize linguistic means as a unified system of linguistic means, which in traditional grammar would be divided into different levels and subsystems. Here, the connecting link is not only semantics but also function. Means with a clearly defined categorical semantics constitute the center of the functional-semantic field; the weaker this semantics, the closer to the periphery the linguistic units are located. The periphery, as a rule, exhibits a more pronounced ability to intersect with other categories and fields, and here, instances of intercategorical interaction at the semantic level are more frequent.