Information on the thesis

The thesis dwells upon English art term semantic invariant phenomenon and the
processes within term structure, which creates a polysemic word and ensures unity of
various senses within one fixed morphological form. Nowadays semantic studies are
oriented on the investigation of deep processes, which are connected with language units
development, particularly in complex and elaborated terminological systems such as art
terminology. The way such processes bring influence on conceptual structures functioning
within terminological systems requires special research. Semantic invariant is the moving
force that influences the word development. Therefore, it seems impossible to investigate
any terminological system, art terminology in particular, without attempts to analyze and
to model semantic invariant structure and its impact on word functioning and
development. Integrative structural-semantic approach to the art terms semantic invariant
analysis has been substantiated in the thesis. Moreover, the research presents extensive
study of the art term semantic invariant on the basis of lexicographical sources and
specialized texts, bélles-léttres discourse, literary memoirs, social and political essays and
wide-ranging extralinguistic materials. Also, structural and semantic features of the
invariant, as well as its structural model have been determined. Furthermore,
interconnections between polysemic term structural components and structure of its
invariant have been examined. Functional realization of semantic invariant has been
traced and analysed. The research has revealed the significance of art term semantic
invariant regarding the concept with certain structure, as well as multibranch system of
new conceptual structures and the ways they interconnect. In addition, complex research
methodology aimed at revealing of art terms semantic invariants as well as their role in the
processes of semantic and functional word formation has been elaborated.
Terminological unit has been investigated in functional way (functioning of every
separate sense of a word) and analytical way (revealing of semantic invariant and its
structure). Furthermore, we have analyzed the way invariant influences term functioning
in terminological semantic domain. The research conducted has revealed the fact that the
semantic invariant of an art term has a complex hierarchical structure. The invariant
structure influences drastically term evolution and causes a great variety of connections
between terminological and common lexis. Due to this fact, transterminological processes
are possible. The research done has revealed a number of peculiarities of art terms
semantic invariants. Art terminological system ranks as a quite specific terminology 18

among the others. Special factors influencing the development of art term semantic
invariant and complex system of inner linguistic links have been revealed.
During the research of art term functioning in different types of special
terminological discourse it’s possible to observe how the semantic invariant and its
structure are realized. The semantic invariant structure is of a determinative importance in
the processes of word development and new senses emergence.
Moreover, it’s significant that the influence of not only the semantic components
themselves but also the whole invariant model, regarded as united semantic complex, is
realized.
As various conducted practical research indicates, terminological sense emergence
and functioning are hard to be explained (and what’s more, to predict further development)
without detailed analysis of semantic structure in its unity. While carrying out such
analysis, it is necessary to take into account the phenomenon of common semantic
component – invariant. It makes possible to explain not only semantic structure
complexity and sense interconnection character but also to predict further development of
the term semantic structure.
Research of the functional peculiarities of semantic invariant structure allow to
explain and predict the ways the terms are used in various terminological systems.
Semantic components integrated interconnections within structural-functional paradigm of
invariant have been detected as well as their role in the terms development semantic
processes. All of this has made it possible to retrace semantic invariant functioning and
role in various types of special terminological discourse.
The results of the present semantic analysis can be applied for investigation
different cases of semantic derivation, especially those which are difficult to explain.
Therefore, changes within a certain term structure and semantic peculiarities of different
terminological senses can be explained. We consider that such approach facilitates
revealing new (even unexpected) etymologies and explaining disputable or vague semantic
phenomena.
Key words: semantic invariant, semantic structure, term, terminological system,
sense, semantic opposition, concept, terminological field, differential semantic feature,
integral semantic feature.