Markers of Axiological Estimation in the Cossack Proverbs and Sayings

Abstract

The analysis of markers of axiological estimation from positions of modern pragmatics is presented in the article. The author specifies markers of axiological estimation as carriers of a certain type of pragmatic value which vividly reflects axiological references via value estimation of the speaker directed towards the world segment of reality. Some difficulties of the analysis that are caused by the unique features and specific character of the phenomenon under study are explicated, they include: ambivalence of value of axiological pragmatic markers, junction (close coordination) of the subject axiological value and other non-axiological characteristics of a segment of reality represented in Cossack proverbs and sayings, wide range of variations in the way axiological assessment is presented verbally, some ways of the troubles overcoming for a researcher are offered. On the material of the Cossack proverbs and sayings the author estimates classification of markers of axiological assessment with regard to multilayer structure, open and additive character their pragmatic meanings. The usage of lingua-pragmatic experiment resulted in distinguishing reactions of four respondent groups, they mirror semantic associations between metaphysic phenomena and axiological intentions of the speaker: sacred, ethical, utilitarian (practical), vital, aesthetic, intellectual, hedonistic, and general-estimation markers (their enumeration corresponds to decrease in the value estimation).

Keywords

• linguistic pragmatics
• pragmatical value
• axiology
• markers of axiological assessment
• Cossack discourse