Meta-description of derivational relations: specifics of system representation

Abstract

Linguistics has always been dependent on possibilities of studying the sphere of language functioning. Today, the interpretation of statistically representative empirical material makes real the creation of verified meta-language descriptions at the qualitatively new level – on the background of practically limitless computer mediating of language data. New possibilities allow objective studying of problems of language dynamics in the context of their real processes, that before were scientifically inaccessible. It makes Linguistics essentially closer to the real-time measurement of speech, discourse, and communication. Accordingly, the problem of the systemic representation of the language became newly challenging and all-encompassing. In this connection the investigation of the modification capabilities of the language system – particularly derivational ones – is of the utmost interest. The formal compatibility of manifestations of derivational process allows to study and describe it in the frames of modeling. Terminological aspect of the linguistic modeling of derivational relations is important. With that, the issues of meta-language identification of the derivation on its own as a phenomenon and its basic elements – derivatives, derivants, and derivates – are debatable until now. The lexical-semantic interpretation of this notional basis is characterized by an essential potential of the meta-language representation. In the same way the problematics of representation of the modification possibilities of the language system in the grammatical aspect – traditionally important in linguistic studies – needs the systemic meta-description. Relevant constructs – derivatemes, grammemes and flexionemes – still are underexplored, too. With that, it is possible to create a complex Hierarchical meta-model of derivation on the basis of theirs semantically correct structuring, considering theirs metalinguistic expediency. This problem is directly related to oppositionality – an important feature of language and meta-language structuring. Oppositionality is the key feature of a wide range of language relations, the oppositional specifics of derivational relations is characterized by motivation reasonability and effectiveness. The reality and perspectives of linguistic models – while providing modern communication – presuppose theirs consistency, non-contradictoriness and universalism. Compliance with these criteria is a condition for the relevance and effectiveness of meta-descriptions of communication.