2018 # 3 (29)
Ushakova A.P.
Syntactical Idioms with a False Positive Assessment in Modern Russian
Abstract
This article discusses how syntactical idioms may realize a false positive assessment. The syntactical idiom, as is known, consists of a constant and a variable. A complete or partial semantic loss of the constant component may bring about different evaluative connotations. The word acquires its meaning only within the structure of a syntactical idiom. The formal absence of a negative assessment and, therefore, asymmetry between the signifier and the signified manifest idiomaticity which is characteristic of all syntactical idioms in modern Russian. The colligation and collocation patterns “Хорош + N1”, “Много + Pron + V”, “Буду / стану + Vinf”, “Надо (же) + Vinf”, “Охота + Vinf” illustrate false positive assessment most vividly. These, however, do not rule out other models.
Key words
syntactical idioms, constant and variable components, desemantization, assessment, asymmetry of the language sign