Axiological Semantics of the Lexemes Interesting/Interestingly

Tsui Wenrui ORCID: 0009-0004-1565-6966 Postgraduate student; Department of Russian Language, General Linguistics and Speech Communication; Ural Federal University named after the first President of Russia B. N. Yeltsin (UrFU) Office 312, Lenin str., 51, Yekaterinburg, Sverdlovsk region, 620083, Russia 912172383@qq.com

Introduction

The interesting lexeme belongs to the lexico-grammatical category of qualitative adjectives and has a significant variety of semantic shades, depending on the context. Explanatory dictionaries give a different number of lexico-semantic variants, and some of them acquire evaluative meanings in speech.

Explanatory dictionaries (see the list of dictionaries: BAS; MAS; Ozhegov, Shvedova) contain the following actual meanings of the adjective interesting (we provide generalized interpretations):

1. ‘Arousing interest, curiosity; entertaining' ^[1-4].

After dinner, the campers were entertained. Those who went to the cinema could watch a movie if the film was new or old, but interesting (Afonin V. E. A ticket).

Ekaterina Ivanovna played a difficult passage, interesting precisely because of its difficulty, long and monotonous (Chekhov A. P. Ionich).

2. ‘Characterized by rich inner content, diverse interests, unusual, etc.’ ^[1].

All these people, as well as many others to whom I turned for stories, were extremely interesting (A. A. Beck, Postal prose).

3. ‘Razg. Attractive, handsome, comely' ^[1-4].

How interesting you are today, Yulochka, it suits you so well to be pale," said Druzhilovsky (Ardamatsky V. I. Two roads).

In addition, the word interesting has outdated meanings.:

– 'useful, advantageous', etymologically derived from French ^{[2, 4]}.

Cabbage soup or soup in a cauldron are always fatter and thicker at first, and then thinner and leaner, which is why it was considered interesting to get up to the cauldron in the first place in order to get more fatty cabbage soup (Podshivalov D. I. Memoirs).

– ‘sickly pale' ^[4].

A wounded Hussar colonel Burmin appeared in her castle, with George in his buttonhole and with an interesting pallor, as the young ladies there said (Pushkin A. S. Metel).

The dictionary of gallicisms contains a meaning that has not been found in other dictionaries – ‘with strawberries, erotically entertaining' ^[4]. It has an evaluative connotation:

The character of both friends was too noble for them to have interesting conversations, which are conducted in many boudoirs (Library for reading. 1855. Vol. 130, ed. 2).

The adjective interesting is used as a euphemism in a stable phrase in an interesting position – "about the state of pregnancy" ^[1],[2].

Women in an interesting position like to act up and generally indulge in gloomy thoughts (Chekhov A. P. Investigator).

The real lexical (psychological ^[5] meaning is broader than the dictionary, systemically linguistic meaning, and lexicography primarily requires a desire for simplicity and economy in describing the meaning. According to V. V. Martynov, the dictionary definition does not set the task of in—depth analysis of the structure of meaning; its main purpose is to represent meaning in a metalanguage ^{[6, pp. 62-63]}. In the definitions of modern explanatory dictionaries, there is no direct indication of the evaluative components in the sememe structure of the lexeme interesting. The systemic linguistic meaning of the word interesting does not contain any connotation. Yu. D. Apresyan, in his lexicographic practice, firmly defends the idea that connotation should not be included in the lexical meaning of a word: "insignificant but stable signs of the concept expressed by it, which embody the assessment of the relevant subject or fact of reality accepted in this linguistic group. These signs are not directly included in the lexical meaning of the word and are not consequences or conclusions from it" ^{[7, p. 159]}.

V. N. Telia suggests the following definition of connotation: "Connotation is a semantic entity that is usually or occasionally included in the semantics of linguistic units and expresses the emotive–evaluative and stylistically marked attitude of the subject of speech to reality when it is designated in an utterance that receives an expressive effect based on this information" ^{[8, p. 5]}.

The term "connotation" in modern linguistics has two approaches to interpretation — broad [N. S. Komlev; V. I. Goverdovsky; Yu. D. Apresyan] and narrow [I. V. Arnold; E. A. Lukyanova; I. A. Sternin; V. N. Teliya; V. I. Shakhovsky et al.].

In a narrow understanding, connotation is considered as an optional part of the meaning, including information of emotional, expressive, evaluative and stylistic plans. In a broad sense, connotation is interpreted not from the point of view of axiology, but as a psychological category – these are associations and representations that the word evokes ^[7],[9]. In this approach, connotation is actually considered as the whole range of information related to the associative and cultural significance of a word, which enriches its subject-conceptual (or denotative) meaning.

In connotation, it is customary to distinguish several of its components, among which, along with emotional, expressive and stylistic coloring, there is always an evaluative component. The axiological meaning is related to the category of evaluation, since axiology studies values, and evaluation is a way to express an attitude towards objects or phenomena in terms of their value. The scientific literature actively explores the nature of the concept of "assessment". The evaluation category is included in the range of modal meanings that express the speaker's attitude to the subject of reality or to the message itself, i.e. the evaluation is the embodiment of the subjective modal meaning in the sentence ^[10-14].

In science, there are positive (positive, reclamation) and negative (negative, pejorative) assessments ^[10]. A positive rating expresses approval and favorable attitude, while a negative rating indicates disapproval and unfavorable attitude. Some linguists, in particular N. D. Arutyunova and V. N. Telia identify a neutral assessment ^[10],[15]. A neutral assessment does not have a pronounced positive or negative connotation and indicates a more objective or restrained attitude towards the object being evaluated.

N. D. Arutyunova considers assessment as a strictly human category related to the physical and mental nature of a person, his being, feelings, thinking, activity, attitude to other people and objects of reality, as well as his perception of art ^{[16, p. 5]}. In her opinion, assessment is a subjective phenomenon that not only captures the objective characteristics of the surrounding reality, but expresses a person's attitude towards them. Assessment includes not only cognitive aspects, but also emotional, as well as cultural, social and moral elements.

Depending on the ratio of subjective and objective factors, N. D. Arutyunova identifies two types of axiological values: general and specific values ^[10]. The first type expresses a "holistic assessment, an axiological outcome", i.e. an assessment of the object as a whole, which is represented by the adjectives good/bad or synonymous lexical units with various stylistic and expressive shades. Private assessments are more extensive and diverse. They focus on a specific aspect of an object based on certain criteria or motivation.

The speaker's object of interest can be any reality: people, place, time, values, processes, things, as well as information about them ^{[17, p. 92]}. A wide variety of linguistic units can act as an evaluative word.

In addition, V. V. Vinogradov, exploring the nature of ambiguity, emphasized: "One or another meaning of a word is realized and determined by the context of its use. In fact, there are as many separate contexts of using a given word as there are its meanings and lexical forms" ^{[18, p. 14]}. As the material shows, in real communicative situations, the interesting lexeme can convey various types of assessment. Techniques such as analyzing the compatibility of the word interesting with other words, as well as studying its synonyms and associative relationships, are used to identify the assessment. According to this theoretical framework, the analysis of an interesting lexeme involves working with contexts illustrating its use.

The purpose of our study is to identify the types of evaluation expressed by the interesting token. We use two forms of the adjective – full and short, and also use grammatical homonyms – adverb and predicative.

The speech material is extracted from modern journalism, selected on the basis of data from the Integrum information and analytical system and the National Corpus of the Russian Language.

Discussion

According to our materials, the analyzed lexemes interesting / interesting can express different types of evaluation.

The general assessment is expressed by the predicative interesting in the main part of a compound sentence, and the subordinate part reveals the meaning of the object of assessment. The speaker complements the descriptive features of the object as motivation and the basis for evaluation.

(1)Interestingly, the special offer for 28 rubles is still valid today (Fast food! How much is in this word... // "Advertising world", 2000.03.30);

Here, the predicative interestingly acts as a synonym for the words "unusual" or "unexpected." This allows the speaker to express his surprise at the described situation (in particular, the validity of the special offer for a long time and its relevance). Interestingly, it expresses a general assessment, complicated by the modality of surprise and strangeness.

(2) It is interesting that the text, which was born in the pre-revolutionary "samizdat", preserved in uncensored lists in the USSR, has survived to the present day and has modern publications (Hieromonk Arkady (Loginov), O.V. Ivanova. Features of dating and periodization of handwritten religious texts from the collection of the Museum of Holiness, Confession and Asceticism in the Urals in the twentieth Century // "Church Theology History", 2020);

(3) It is interesting that it never occurred to me to try to impersonate a Fool playing (Fazil Iskander. The Martyrs of the stage).

The examples given are aimed at a general abstract assessment of a certain situation (1, 2) or behavior (3), and the meanings of the assessment need further explication.

Private evaluative values are divided into three groups: sensory, sublimated, and rationalistic ^{[10, p. 76]}.

The first group is sensory assessments, which are related to the subject's sensations and sensory experiences (physical and mental), are based on physical experience, are usually not motivated, and are considered the most individualized type of assessment.

Evaluation directly stems from the sensation that a person receives through perception with the help of the senses (sight, hearing, touch, smell, taste) and experiences independently of will and self-control ^{[10, p. 76]}.

The interesting lexeme in Russian can express sensory assessments, including visual, auditory, tactile, olfactory (olfactory) and gustatory perceptions. In the examples below, you can see how this word, combined with names and verbs of the corresponding semantics, is used to describe various sensory perceptions.:

They said: "Soup with an interesting taste" (MK; 31.10.2024) – taste assessment;

The most interesting smells arise when you reach the sausage shop (Komsomolskaya Pravda; 09/24/2024) – olfactory assessment;

They are interesting to touch with your hands, look at and, as a result, easier to remember (Red Banner (Yelets); 05.10.2023) – tactile and visual assessment;

The lexeme interestingly serves as an expression of sensory assessment, emphasizing the importance of tactile and visual perception. The verbs touch and look are typical sensory verbs describing actions related to perception through touch and sight. In this context, it is interesting to focus on physical interaction with objects, making them more attractive to perception through evaluation.

The version sounds interesting, although it is nothing more than the version (AiF; 07/01/2009) – an auditory assessment.

It is very interesting to look at her, to observe her ("Screen and Stage", 05/04/06) – visual assessment.

Thus, the interesting lexeme can function as a universal evaluation unit used for various sensory perceptions, emphasizing the attractiveness, unusual or outstanding qualities of what is perceived by the senses.

In the group of sensory assessments, psychological assessments (intellectual, emotional) are distinguished, the subject of which acts as a mental or physical receptor. These assessments characterize the tastes of the subject to a greater extent than the object itself.

Playing Mafia is not only fun and interesting, but also useful... (Izabella Javoeva. "Mafia" is immortal) – an intellectual assessment.

In the statement, interesting performs the function of a short adjective and expresses a positive assessment, indicating the intellectual interest associated with involvement in the game process.

See more examples of intellectual evaluation: It's interesting: Mike was probably the only Russian rocker who wrote an entire song about such an interesting phenomenon of bohemian life as salons (Friendship of Peoples; 05/15/2008); As for Russian regions, they will surely become interesting to us at some point, but For now, we are concentrating our efforts on the capital (Travel Trade Gazette Russia; 15.01.2010).

Another type of psychological assessment is emotional assessment, which can also be expressed using the interesting lexeme.

Everyone wants to splash in the water, spend an interesting time hiking, and sing songs around the campfire (Belgorodskie Izvestia (Belgorod); 06/02/2007).

In this sentence, the word "interesting" can express an emotional assessment, indicating pleasure and a positive perception of the time spent hiking. It may be close in meaning to "joyful" or "cheerful", but it is not identical to them, since it retains an element of cognitive or fascinating value.

Life is very interesting at the university, constantly making new acquaintances... (Forum: University (Institute) VS school; 2011).

Interestingly, the role of the adverb reflects the speaker's emotional attitude to life at the university, emphasizing its fascination and pleasant sensations from new acquaintances and events.

The second group consists of sublimated assessments that rise above sensory assessments, "humanizing them" ^{[3, p. 76]}. These include two categories — aesthetic and ethical assessments. "This group of assessments is not indifferent to the concept of an archetype — a norm, a sample, an example, potential requirements for an object. At the same time, a positive aesthetic assessment excludes strict normality. The aesthetic sense cannot be satisfied by the standard. A high aesthetic appreciation implies the uniqueness of a work of art. Meanwhile, a positive ethical assessment generally requires an orientation towards the ethical norm, compliance with the moral code, i.e. more or fewer rules and commandments. The requirement of uniqueness, therefore, is not a necessary condition for morality (positive ethical assessment), but it is necessary for works of genuine art ^{[10, p. 76]}."

Aesthetic evaluations are related to the satisfaction of a sense of beauty.

The interesting lexeme can express an aesthetic assessment, especially when it is used in combinations describing appearance, appearance, clothing or face, etc.

Our girls have an interesting appearance, there is some kind of highlight (Newspaper of the South (Nalchik); 07/17/2003);

I noticed one pattern: people with interesting faces and unusual eye expressions are very interesting in themselves (Trud-7; 03/13/2008).

Aesthetic feeling is associated with the uniqueness of a work of art — it is born from the fact that an object or work goes beyond standards, offering a new experience or perspective. Art, as a result of the creative process, presupposes originality, individuality, which makes it aesthetically significant.

Ethical assessment is based on following norms and principles that may be more universal. A positive ethical assessment requires a focus on moral norms that require compliance with rules and ethical codes, therefore it does not allow uniqueness. And these two areas — ethics and aesthetics — exist according to different laws: art strives for uniqueness, while morality requires stability and adherence to certain standards.

Ethical assessments are associated with the satisfaction of a moral sense based on compliance with the moral code.

It is interesting to express an ethical assessment, most often indirectly. In such cases, moral or ethical condemnation/approval is implied, depending on the context and intonation. When interesting is used to express ethical assessments, it often conveys irony, doubt, or surprise.

I wonder if they forgot that the 1917 revolution was also colored – red? (Friendship of Peoples; 03/15/2016).

Interestingly, in this case, it expresses not neutral surprise, but hidden condemnation or irony. Here, the speaker is not expressing sincere curiosity, but rather making a sarcastic remark. This indicates his dissatisfaction or criticism of those who, in his opinion, ignore or intentionally forget the fact about the "colored" nature of the October Revolution of 1917. In this case, it is interesting to combine the functions of a predicative and an introductory sentence, expressing an ethical assessment and giving an ironic tone to the statement.

The third group is rationalistic assessments, which are related to everyday experience and practical human activity.

Among them, N. D. Arutyunova identifies utilitarian assessments, the main indicator of which is physical or mental benefit; normative assessments, assuming compliance with a standard, possessing the necessary properties to perform a task; teleological assessments, the main feature of which is the fulfillment of a designated function and the achievement of a specific goal ^{[10, pp. 75-77]}.

The word interesting can express utilitarian assessments when it is used to assess the benefits, benefits, or practical value of a phenomenon or action.

This product has already proved to be in demand among customers: on average, a person changes a car once every three years, and such an offer is interesting not only to customers, but also to dealers, as it contributes to sales growth" (Izvestia (Moscow) (Appendix); 09/27/2007).

In this example, the word interesting expresses a utilitarian assessment, hinting at the profitability of the offer, which makes it attractive and appropriate for both parties – both customers and dealers.

METRO Quote "With the current ruble exchange rate, a trip to Russia looks especially interesting for foreign fans (Metro (Moscow); 29.01.2016).

Here, the interesting lexeme is used not in the main meaning associated with intellectual or emotional interest, but in the meaning of "profitable", "attractive from a practical point of view". This usage is typical for media discourse, where authors often seek to attract the audience's attention through a combination of emotional and rational arguments.

He believes that in conditions of a high risk of an increase in the Central Bank's key rate, money market funds still look interesting (MK; 10/17/2023).

The lexeme is interestingly combined with the verb looks, but not in a sensory, but in an abstract meaning. The broad context actualizes the assessment of the practical benefits of the object.

Normative assessments presuppose compliance with the standard, having the necessary properties to perform a task.

The idea is interesting, but wrong... (Megapolis Express; 03/29/2004). In this context, the word interesting can act as a carrier of a normative assessment. The expression "an interesting thought, but wrong" suggests the attention and value of an idea, but its incorrectness highlights the discrepancy between certain criteria, standards or expectations. This aspect indicates that the assessment is carried out not only from the standpoint of personal perception, but also through the prism of established standards.

This is a counterplay — very interesting, but as an exception (Russian reporter, № 3 (33), 2008). The word interesting here indicates a positive perception of counterplay as a theatrical direction, however, the addition of but as an exception indicates that the author does not consider this approach to be the standard or norm.

All this sounded extremely interesting, but it seemed a little suspicious (Victor Pelevin. S.N.U.F.F). In this context, the lexeme interestingly expresses a normative assessment, despite its connection with the sensory verb sounded. The reader's attention is not focused on the direct perception of the auditory signal, the focus is shifted to the normative side of perception — how information is interpreted taking into account social and cultural standards.

The normative assessment is revealed in contexts based on opposition: interesting, but incorrect, interesting, but as an exception, interesting, but suspicious – the second member of the opposition expresses the meaning "not conforming to the norm."

Conclusions

The systemic linguistic meaning of the word interesting is usually limited to a denotative component, which is basic information about what arouses attention, curiosity, or attracts interest. However, in real communicative practice, the meaning of the word interesting and its derivative interesting is significantly expanded and enriched due to connotative components that include emotional reactions, social and cultural contexts, as well as personal assessments and opinions of the speaker.

The words interesting / interesting in Russian are rich in terms of subjective modality. In various contexts, they are able to express both general and all types of particular assessments. To express a general assessment, the lexeme usually functions interestingly as a predicative in the main part of a compound sentence. To express a particular assessment, it interestingly serves as an adverb, a short adjective, and can also be in the syncretic position of a predicative and modal word. The words interesting / interesting, expressing particular assessments, usually have a positive status. However, within the framework of ethical or normative assessments, negative connotations such as irony or doubt may take on.

Thus, interesting / interesting is used to convey different shades of emotional reaction and evaluation of the speaker.