Interrelation of denotational and connotational meanings of synonyms

Observations in the process of practical (translation and teaching) work with the English language show that synonymy is inherent in the phraseology of both languages, both Russian and English. In the Russian-English and Russian-English synonymous dictionary with thematic classification edited by P.P. Litvinov [1, pp. 34-79], the semantic relations of synonymous phraseological units of the English and Russian languages ​​are compared according to 1) the degree of unification of phraseological units of one synonymous group in terms of semantic features and 2) the nature of semantic features.We consider the following to be semantic uniting features:1) the use in a dictionary definition or translation of a phraseological unit of a word or a free combination denoting the denotational component of a meaning common to all phraseological units of a given synonymous series;2) the identity of the connotation component of the meaning of phraseological units of the synonymous series, that is, stylistic attribution and emotional load.We consider the following as distinctive features:1) additional shades of denotational meaning that change the semantic boundaries or features of the concept denoted by a phraseological unit,2) differences in style and emotional stress. Additional shades of denotational meaning and characteristics of the connotation component are contained either in the definition and translation of phraseological units, or in the accompanying notes in dictionaries for reference books.As the comparison shows, in both languages ​​synonymous relations embrace phraseological units that are functionally equivalent to a noun, adjective, verb, adverb. At the same time, both in Russian and in English there are a significant number of synonymous series of phraseological units denoting the same concepts.In English, the semantic relations of the members of the synonymous series are characterized by a variety of semantic distinctive features and varying degrees of semantic unity. Several groups of synonymous phraseological units can be distinguished, which have similar semantic relations of their members.The synonymy of phraseological units of the English language is characterized by a significant semantic proximity of the members of the synonymous series: in the overwhelming majority of the studied synonymous groups, the denotational component of the meaning of phraseological units either completely coincides or differs in shades of meaning that have an additional, clarifying meaning and do not violate the generality of meaning inherent to all members of this synonymous groups. In many cases, phraseological units of the synonymous series differ in their connotational component. Two types of differences can be distinguished here: differences only in the connotational component and differences in the connotational component and shades of the denotational one. In the Russian language, synonymous phraseological units are also characterized by a great affinity of meaning uniting features. All phraseological units of the synonymous series have a common denotational component, which determines the meaning of the entire phraseological unit, while “sense-uniting features displace differential, meaning-distinguishing features of meaning”.ConclusionThe synonymy of the Russian language deserves a lot of attention. This phenomenon is now poorly understood in relation to the journalistic style, which seems to be a mixture of expression and standards. The relationship between the genres of journalism, the nature of the publication and the richness of synonyms is clearly traced.So, informational and analytical genres are genres that are least saturated with expression. In the center is fact and analysis. By the nature of the use of linguistic means, they are close to the scientific and business style, possessing features of factual, documentary in the transfer of information. These genres are closest to a neutral language and are least saturated with synonyms. Language units are usually accepted here in their direct nominative meaning, i.e. have only one level of understanding - semantic. Here, the main function of the synonyms used is accuracy in the transmission of information, specifics.Artistic and journalistic genres, on the other hand, attract all linguistic means, including synonymy, for the emotional impact on the reader. it allows you to maximize expressiveness. Here, the level of additional meanings, “connotations”, acquired in a wide context, is added to the meaningful level of understanding characteristic of information and analytical genres. 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