Abstract:

In the article the units with the components ‘heart’ and ‘soul’, derived from both the general literary language as well as its dialect variations have been analyzed. The article depicts a variety of images connected with the abovementioned units. It turns out, for example, that these words are frequently used while describing human beings and take active part in defining interpersonal relations. Both ‘heart’ and ‘soul’ develop individual semantic potential. However, in the light of Russian idioms they also have many common features. The conclusion of the article may be the statement that images being created by them proves not only their semantic potential and pragmatic flexibility. It constitutes evidence for the significance of ‘heart’ and ‘soul’ in the Russian life and the way of perceiving and conceiving many fundamental notions that are thought of through the language units in question.

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