Yehorova O. Linguistic and Cognitive Aspects of the Indefinite Quantity Actualization in the English-Language Discourse

This thesis highlights the cognitive phenomenon of indefinite quantity and the means of its actualization in the English-language discourse. The implementation of the relevant methodology characteristic of the system-functional approach has enabled the identification and analysis of different language units verbalizing indefinite quantity. The obtained results suggest the organization of the functional-semantic field of indefinite quantity in Modern English. The research demonstrates that the semantic category of indefinite quantity is being actualized in the English-language discourse by different parts of speech through both direct and indirect nominations. The semantic-cognitive approach and the system of its methods focuses on the concept of INDEFINITE QUANTITY considered as an element of the English conceptual picture of the world. The concept of INDEFINITE QUANTITY is viewed as a construct consisting of two layers: notional and imagery-evaluative. It has been proved that the phenomenon of indefinite quantity is conceptualized in the English-speaking community as not specified in number discreet or indiscreet multiplicity of the facts of reality being the subject of the evaluative judging in terms of the notions "many / much" and "few / little" referring to size, space, time, number, intensity and degree. Key words: indefinite quantity, English-language discourse, category, concept, notion, semantics, language levels, parts of speech.