STRUCTURE OF THE ASSOCIATIVE FIELD KYIV

Abstract

Introduction. The associative experiment (AE) is one of the most efficient methods that allows us to explicate the structures of knowledge about a separate fragment of reality as well as content
components and value priorities of the language community that are psychologically relevant to a specific period of cultural development. The use of AE for comprehending and reconstructing the semantic continuum of linguocultural dominants is highly pertinent.
Purpose. The purpose of this study was to structure the associative field and identify the basic domains and subdomains that serve as a context for profiling the concept KYIV.
Methods. To fulfil the purpose, we used the AE method, we used the methods of modeling and
interpretation to systematize, generalize and explain the responses received to the stimulus KYIV, we also used the constructive method, the result of which was the linguomental arrangement of the concept KYIV.
The associative experiment involved 335 respondents aged 16 to 88 from Kyiv and its suburbs, who had to provide five associations with the toponym KYIV. In total, 1767 verbal responses were obtained, which served as the material of the study.
Results. It has been emphasized that there is a high axiological potential of the toponym KYIV in the Ukrainian cultural space, therefore it is of enormous importance to clarify the content and arrangement of the concept KYIV in the linguistic consciousness of Kyiv residents. It has been determined that the verbal responses obtained as a result of AE correlate with the verbal-mental representation of the concept KYIV.
The subject-concept relations between the units of the associative field have been traced and the associates that differ in number and structure have been arranged within five basic domains and
25 subdomains: 1. LIFE OF THE CITY: 1) city; 2) streets and districts; 3) infrastructure; 4) energy and rhythm; 5) gastronomic preferences; 6) problems; 2. HISTORY AND CULTURE: 1) historical past; 2) historical / legendary and sacred figures; 3) architectural sites and monuments; 4) culture and art; 5) artists and cultural figures; 6) education and science; 3. AXIOLOGY, EMOTIONS: 1) capital, the center of Ukraine; 2) love for the city; 3) grandeur and beauty, pride in the city; 4) resilience and heroism; 5) hometown; 6) home; 4. NATURE AND LANDSCAPE: 1) chestnuts; 2) the Dnipro; 3) parks, gardens, cosiness; 4) seasons, natural phenomena; 5. LIFE OF MAN AND SOCIETY: 1) people and community; 2) life path; 3) self-realization.
The quantitative predominance of responses with positive assessment, nominations of emotions, and proper names of cultural and geographical realities, in comparison with the associates that verbalize objects and phenomena of everyday life, has been observed.
The most frequent units that reflect the linguomental dominants of the perception of Kyiv have been identified: 1) “chestnuts”, 2) “capital”, 3) “the Dnipro”, 4) “Khreshchatyk”, 5) “home”, 6) “How can I not love you, my Kyiv!” («Як тебе не любити, Києве мій!»); 7) “metro”; 8) “Kyiv cake” («Київський торт»).
Originality. The originality of this scientific study lies in the suggested research methodology. For the first time, the content and verbal-mental arrangement of the concept KYIV were determined on the grounds of AE with city residents.
Conclusion. A conclusion about the linguistic multidimensionality and multicomponent content of the concept KYIV has been made. Interpretation of the AE results verifies the fact of the inseparable unity of people’s life activities and the life of the city. In accordance with the realities and value priorities interiorised in the consciousness of the community, Kyiv appears as the center and heart of Ukraine, a native home, a multidimensional living organism, immersed in the ancient cultural and historical context while at the same time oriented towards the modern urban dimension.