Verbal Representation of the Concept “Sermon” (Based on the Association Test)

Abstract

The investigation of religious discourse is widespread in Ukraine now because of great confidence in the сhurch. The aim of this research is to analyze verbal representation of the concept “sermon”. Free word association test (WAT) has been used for psycholinguistic analysis. The aim of this research is to analyze the verbal representation of the concept “sermon”. Free word association test (WAT) has been used for psycholinguistic analysis. The definitions of concept and religious concept as a multidimensional mystical semiotic formation are highlighted. The paper overviews the main linguistic researches of sermon by Ukrainian and foreign scholars. Certain communicative features of religious sermons have been described. As a result of the free WAT, 260 responses to the stimulus word “sermon” were, among them 97 different associations. Among the most frequent responses were “priest”, “story”, “edification” and “attitude”. The logical and grammar characteristics of the obtained associations have been analyzed. It has been shown that central paradigmatic reactions to the stimulus word “sermon” predominate. The thematic features of the associations to “sermon” have been analyzed. Four different thematic groups have been identified: situation of sermon, genre features, people (sermon participants), emotions and evaluation. The most numerous thematic group is “genre features”. The least numerous thematic group is “sermon participants”. Prospects for further study of this problem lie in an in-depth psycholinguistic analysis of religious discourse.

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