Symbolized periphrasis in Ukrainian media as an expression of cultural consciousness of society: Sofia Kyivska

The paper focuses on the analysis of the periphrasis’ symbolization process of proper name "Sofia Kyivska" in Ukrainian media. Nomination "Sofia Kyivska" has traditionally featured in media texts in materials devoted to the culture, history and religion. All materials on such topics focused on the importance of "Sofia Kyivska" as a spiritual symbol of the country, according to its historical, cultural, and ideological values. The research shows that the proper name "Sofia Kyivska" has a positive connotation, it is a symbol of spirituality, holiness, statehood, as reflected in the cultural consciousness of Ukrainians and accordingly in mediatexts. Illustrative material allows us to identify two groups periphrastic categories: neutral and figurative, in which priority is nominative or expressive function respectively. Also periphrastic nomination divided into several thematic groups. As for the evaluation connotations, the author observes a positive or neutral evaluation referred to the semantics of periphrasis. The author points out that the symbolic meaning of a linguistic unit "Sofia Kyivska" accumulated during its existence in the consciousness of the Ukrainian language, complemented by modern, reflecting the dynamic changes in society, particularly in the media. Due to the process of periphrasis symbolization the primary word-denotatum transforms semantically. As a result it is difficult to detect the meaning of new symbolized pariphrases out of contexts. The detailed study of the meaning of periphrasis reveals meaning of the primary words. Illustrations show that symbol semantics motivates new, secondary nominations, which combine complex associative ranges, wide cultural connotations. This indicates the active process of language development.