Mokhosoieva M. Gustatory Lexical Units in English, German and Ukrainian Languages.

The research deals with the comparative analysis of gustatory lexical units (GLU) in English, German and Ukrainian languages aimed at determining universal and specific features in semantics and structure of the units under analysis. Interpretation formulae of GLU have been worked out, topological structure of polysemous units under study has been analysed and the level of their semantic similarity has been determined. The universal and differential characteristics of the semantics of GLU have been revealed. Hierarchical relations of GLU forming the semantic field "Taste" have been described, criteria for the field's constituent parts' differentiation (componential analysis, rank correlation index) have been identified. The connection between semantics and structure of GLU has been determined. GLU form 22 lexico-semantic groups on the basis of common semes and 47 thematic groups with one and the same denotative meaning. The reasons of lacunarities in groups have been found out. The types of semantic transfer of GLU, namely metaphor and metonymy, have been singled out. Etymological motivation of derivatives of GLU has been determined.