Scientific Symbolism in Russian Science and in the Common Cultural Space

• Main Author: Viktor A. Tatarinov
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Sourthern Federal University 2019-09-01
• Series: Izvestiâ Ûžnogo Federalʹnogo Universiteta: Filologičeskie Nauki
• Subjects: symbol; term; lexical unit; communicative unit; russian
• Online Access: https://philol-journal.sfedu.ru/index.php/sfuphilol/article/view/1317
• ISSN: 1995-0640; 2312-1343

The article describes the manifestations of the processes of symbolization in the field of science and in the public consciousness of speakers in Russian. It is indicated that the processes of symbolization are related to the oldest social and linguistic processes. The peculiar character of the manifestations of symbolization processes in scientific research and their results in the form of scientific knowledge obtained is noted. Different types of verbal symbols of science functioning in the modern scientific and general cultural space of Russia are analyzed. Evaluative statements about symbols of famous linguists are involved. Among the classes of symbols (subject phenomena and linguistic units embodying them) are symbols that are relevant to the modern scientific and general cultural space of Russia. Their classification and current section are given. Lexical units are considered – such as proper names: Russian (Lomonosov, Mendeleev, Tsiolkovsky) and foreign (Wilhelm von Humboldt, Poincaré, Umberto Eco), “ingrown” by their roots in the general scientific and cultural space of Russia, abbreviations, including denoting places, where science is determined (RAS, research institutes, Moscow State University). Among the most important symbols there are terminological lexical units, in particular, the names of scientific instruments and devices (laser, electronic collider), substances (composite materials). The classification also includes fictional subject and language phenomena that do not really exist, but which played the role of catalysts of scientific thought (hyperboloid, time machine). Among the scientific symbols, an important place was taken by scientific events, such as the first, pioneer space flight of Yuri Gagarin, the Arctic expeditions, the exploration of Antarctica. Attention is also paid to the communicative units that function in the scientific and social world of Russians: aphorisms (it turns everything, Eureka), proverbs, scientific clichés, etc. In the formation of scientific symbolism, the important role of general scientific terms such as the hypothesis (the hypothesis of SapirWhorf), model (model of the universe), and others, synthesis, complex, cluster. The role of a scientific metaphor in the formation of a scientific picture of the world, pathos and ethos of the scientific sphere is noted.