SEMANTICALLY OPAQUE PLEONASMS

Abstract

The semantics of pleonastic phrases in contemporary English-language media discourse is analyzed in the article. The definition of pleonasms is proposed, particularly pleonasms with semantically opaque components. Semantically opaque pleonasms are two / multicomponent word combinations with synonyms and close meaning components, one of these components (primarily the first one) is semantically opaque and is not usually used independently in the language. Such pleonasms nominate foreign-language geographical names. In different proper names all pleonasms were necessary explanations for inexplicable foreign words or word combinations and later became part of a word combination where redundancy is not understood without etymological research. The specific characters of the use of pleonasms in modern English-language media discourse are described. It is proved that the components of the pleonastic phrase can preserve their meaning and there may also be a change/shift in the semantics of their components. This shift is one of the causes of the pleonasm appearance. Pleonasms with semantically opaque components are a combination of synonymically equivalent components of foreign and English languages. The semantic link between these components is considered to be lost at the present stage of language development. Similar phrases form pleonasms in English due to the desemantization of one of the equivalents through its transition to the proper name. It is substantiated that semantically opaque pleonasms are used to clarify information. Such redundant phrases are understood as absolutely natural phenomenon in English and have practical explanation – to intensify, clarify and exaggerate the meaning. The reason for the creation of pleonastic phrases is one and the same: insufficient transparency of one of the components and this component the word of foreign origin. Pleonasm is the result of rather complex processes of semantic development of components that are combined.