Lexico-semantic analysis of culture-specific clerical vocabulary in N. S. Leskov’s novel The Cathedral Folk
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33910/1992-6464-2025-216-221-231Keywords:
culture-specific vocabulary, lexico-semantic analysis, definitional generalization, Leskov, clergyAbstract
Introduction. The study of culture-specific vocabulary remains a vital research area in linguistics and cultural linguistics. This article demonstrates how comparative analysis of dictionary definitions can reveal national characteristics embedded in lexical units. Specifically, it examines the methodological application of definitional generalization — systematically compiling, comparing, and contrasting multiple dictionary interpretations — to analyze culturally significant vocabulary.
Materials and Methods. The investigation focuses on clerical terminology from Leskov’s novel The Cathedral Folk, analyzed through multiple lexicographical sources: 19th–21st century explanatory dictionaries, cultural and etymological references, Orthodox texts, and historical documents. The analytical framework also incorporates contemporary linguistic research. Methodologically, it employs: (1) lexico-cultural analysis, (2) semantic-stylistic examination, (3) contextual meaning interpretation, and (4) statistical assessment.
Results. Through systematic analysis of lexical units — examining semes and sememes while accounting for denotative, connotative, and implicit meanings — the study reveals how the ‘clergy’ thematic group reflects deeper cultural patterns: the behaviors, consciousness, and collective mentality of nineteenth-century Russian society. Historical and ethnographic sources further corroborate the distinctive stylistic and national markers embedded in these lexemes. Specific motivated nouns — particularly отец (father), батюшка (revered father), духовник (confessor), and священник (priest) — linguistically encode the complex social attitudes toward ecclesiastical figures during this period. Conclusions. The study contributes to sociolinguistic and cultural linguistics, while serving as a practical resource for literature instruction, e.g., in teaching N. S. Leskov’s works within standard secondary education curricula. By elucidating the cultural and lexical nuances of 19th-century clerical vocabulary, this study enhances textual comprehension and accessibility for diverse readerships of Russian literary classics.
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