Филологические науки /3.Теоретические и методологические проблемы  исследования языка

N.V. Kostyuchenkova, Ph.D.

Novgorod State University named after Yaroslav the Wise, Russia

Space Category Anthropocentric Peculiarities

Scientists point out to the fact that a person has the ability to perceive three-dimensional space: the axis of "top - bottom" (vertical dimension), and the axes of "in front - behind," "right - left" (horizontal dimension) [see: 2; 9].

In the article, special attention is paid to the horizontal dimension. First of all, let us note behind J. Lyons, that the structure of the human body is asymmetrical with respect to one of the axes ("front - behind") and symmetrical with respect to the other one ("right - left") [8]. "As a" split of the whole "and, at the same time, the connection of extremely distant from each other, disparate elements, symmetry and asymmetry are considered to be the main organizing principle of existence" [1].

According to V.G. Gak, S.S. Shkeneva, R. Jackendoff, as well as other scientists, the principle of symmetric vs. asymmetric relations reveals itself in language. Spatial relations between two objects cannot be expressed in the language symmetrically since one of the objects acts as the localized object and the other one as the reference object, with respect to which the position of the localized object is determined [see : 2; 4; 5; 11; 12].

Speaking about the asymmetric axis of "in front - behind", it should be remarked that it is dominant in the horizontal dimension. The vector of "forward" prevails, since visual overview being the main method for the investigation of the space, is primarily oriented forward, and, therefore, a person moves in the direction in which he is looking. In addition, fulfilling his most significant social role (that one of the communicator) in the canonical situation of communication a person interacts with his interlocutor "face to face", i.e. he overlooks a fragment of the space in front of him [8].

The differences between the vectors of "right" and "left" can be defined only in relation to the axis of “in front - behind". Since ancient times, people have used the symmetry of the "right - left" axis as an organizing principle in art, architecture and design. It is interesting to note that the experiments to identify aesthetic preferences demonstrate that the majority of respondents believe people regard symmetrical shapes to be more pleasant for viewing than asymmetrical ones for, as suggested by Mr. Weyl, symmetry means peace, order and clearance, whereas asymmetry requires movement chaos, disunity [see: 13]. While comparing the axes of "top - bottom" and "right - left", according to M. Corballis and I. Beale, the latter ratio is perceived primarily as the perceptually preferred axis, since "right - left" is dependent on the direction of the axis of “front – back” [see: 3].

As for the axis of “right – left”, “right” is the dominant vector on the grounds that the right hand of a human is more functional than the left one [5]. According to B. Klein, "left" refers to the subspace, which is close to the part of the body where the heart is located [6].

Scientists express different opinions on the importance of the vertical and horizontal planes for man. Thus, J. Lyons and Ly Toan Thang follow a similar view point, noting in particular that the vertical position of man is the beginning of the reference system, where a person puts himself in the process of perception and understanding spatial relations. They also state that verticality is regarded to be the most distinguished of all the spatial characteristics in the physical and psychological aspects [see: 5; 7]. However, we adhere to the approach of N.L. Shamne who believes that for the human perception of the space both horizontal and vertical measurements are equally significant - the two systems together form a complete picture of the perception of the world by man. The importance of the horizontal plane cannot be underestimated since it indicates the very location of our senses: the angle of the horizontal survey is wider than that one of the vertical one, by means of audio perception man differentiates stereo, echo and implements guidance and clarification of objects location on the basis of “right – left”, “in front – back”, “near - far away”. In addition, the position of the equator on the globe and the level of the sea as well as the horizon line are represented thanks to the ability of examining the horizontal space [10].

Thus, the above mentioned anthropocentrism principles are regarded to be the dominant ones in the process of a certain space fragment cognitive perception and its defining and describing by language means.

Literature:

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2. Carlson-Radvansky L.A., Irwin D.E. Reference frame activation during spatial term assignment // Journal of Memory and Language. – 1994. – Vol. 33. – P.646-667.

3. Corballis M.C., Beale I.L. The psychology of left and right. – Hillsdale, N.Jersey, 1976.

4. Gak V.G. Functional and semantic field of localization predicates // Functional grammar theory: locativity, possessiveness, conditionality. – St. Petersburg, 1996. – P.6-26.

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6. Klein W. Deixis and spatial orientation in route direction // Spatial orientation: theory, research and application. – New York, London, 1983. – P.283-311.

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9. Miller G.A., Johnson-Laird P.N. Language and perception. – Cambridge (Mass.), London, 1976.

10. Shamne N.L. - Шамне Н.Л. Сопоставительное освещение семантики немецких и русских глаголов движения в аспекте интерпретации категории пространства: Дис. … докт. филол. наук. – Волгоград, 2000.

11. Shkeneva S.S. - Шкенева С.С. Роль грамматической синонимии средств выражения пространственных отношений в репрезентации английского дискурса: Дис. … канд. филол. наук. – М, 2000.

12. Sinha Ch., Kuteva T. Distributed spatial semantics // Nordic Journal of Linguistics. – Vol. 18. - №2. – Oslo, Copenhagen, Stockholm, 1995. – P.167-199.

13. Weyl H. Symmetry. – Princeton, N. Jersey, 1952.