Semantic ambivalency of axiological phraseology

Abstract

The article describes the specific features of axiological phraseologisms related with values/antivalues. The aim of the study was to determine whether the polyvalency of values reflects the correlation of values/anti-values with positive/negative marks. Method: the comparative analysis of the correlations: axiological phraseologisms with values and anti-values. The author proves that in the case with the value conventionally positive - the mark is positive, the anti-value is conventionally negative - the mark is negative (symmetry); the anti-value is conventionally negative - the mark is positive (asymmetry). Results. Analysis of axiological phraseologisms demonstrated that they reflect the major values and anti-values in ten diades: 1. Vital value (life) and anti-value (death). 2. Vital value (health) and antivalue (illness). 3. Sacred value and anti-value (motherland and foreign land). 4. Hedonic value and antivalue (Happiness-unhappiness). 5. Social utilitarian value and anti-value (labor - rest - idleness - laziness). 6. Material-utilitarian value and anti-value (richness - poverty). 7. Intellectual-cognitive value and anti-value (intelligence - stupidity). 8. Moral-ethical value and anti-value (truth-lie). 9. Emotionalutilitarian value and anti-value (laugh - cry). 10. Religious value and anti-value (paradise - hell). The data obtained can find their practical use in studying the intellectual potential of humans in linguistic field. Conclusion: the analysis of axiological phraseologisms in the aspect of values/anti-values helps to describe the mechanisms of human cognitive activity.