Korznik A. Semiosphere of the meal in Ukrainian folklore

The thesis is devoted to the semiosphere of the meal as a method of preserving and translation of folklore knowledge. Folklore is seen as verbal and non-verbal communication in the folklore context. For the first time in Ukrainian folklore studies the communicative functions of the meal's discourse have been named. Main functions are postulate civilized model of behavior, mark the social situation, form and maintain unity and identity, construct and display a social hierarchy, be a gift, perform in a magic. Food is connected with oppositions of acceptable/unacceptable eating behavior. An acceptable eating behavior is associated with personal development and progress. An unacceptable eating behavior is associated with the savage, regression, underdevelopment and cannibalism. The thesis investigates food in Ukrainian folklore as a text, complete sign system and communication system. Some traditional meals are regarded as a food labels for a new stages or significant situation with important semantic meaning. The thesis investigates symbolic meaning of traditional food included in the context of folklore communication. Children fairy tales play an important role in the formation of acceptable behavior patterns, as well as stories connected with the negative consequences of breaking food taboos. Verbal texts are connected with the development and support of social function of food in Ukrainian folklore