Helmet, Shield, and Sword as Symbolic Signs of the Warrior Concept

Abstract

Attitude to Motherland plays an important role in Russian linguistic culture. The sphere is formed by a number of concepts, such as Fatherland, home, family, children, warrior, etc. The concept voin (warrior) has not been studied in modern linguistics, which adds relevance to the present research. Military concepts bear a large cultural load and make up an important component of the society. In Russian linguistic culture, a warrior is a defender, the one who protects the peace of the family, relatives, friends, and Motherland as a whole. Military concepts are just beginning to attract the attention of modern researchers. The present paper features the symbolic signs of the concept voin (warrior). The analysis is based on the constructions with the lexeme voin (warrior) from the Russian National Corps. One of the most common symbols of a warrior is weapon. The article focuses on the symbolic equipment signs of the concept, i.e. helmet, shield, and sword. The research employed conceptual, descriptive, and static analysis methods. The following symbolic stereotypical signs were especially frequent: helmet (24 %), armament (23.7 %), shield (22.8 %), and sword (10 %). The average degree of frequency was observed in such cognitive signs as chainmail (5.2 %), armor (4.7 %), spear (2.3 %), armor (2.1 %), and bow (1.6 %). Other signs demonstrated a low degree of frequency.

Keywords

• linguaculture
• military code
• symbol
• language picture of the world
• questioning
• language consciousness