Donik O. Semantic-syntactic functions of comparative conjunctions in the Ukrainian literary language.

The dissertation is the first comprehensive study of comparative conjunctions of the Ukrainian language in view of the specifics of their semantic-syntactic functioning in typical and syncretic manifestations. The current state of theoretical developments in the field of comparison problems is outlined, the conceptual bases of comparative conjunctions research as means of the expression of comparative semantic-syntactic relations are substantiated, the conceptual-terminological apparatus for the nomination of comparative constructions is specified and unified. The method of linguistic analysis of comparative conjunctions in the aspect of the theory of transition is applied, the effectiveness of oppositional analysis is demonstrated by the example of proper conjunctions, improper conjunctions, and particulate conjunctions. The semantic-syntactic functions of comparative conjunctions are systematized, their positions in the formal-syntactic structure of simple and complex sentences are hierarchized. The specific features of semantic-syntactic functioning of comparative conjunctions in typical manifestation are described, syncretic semantic-syntactic functions of comparative connection tools in intra-rank and multi-rank planes are analyzed. The dissertation analyzes comparative constructions with explicit indicators of comparison – conjunctions, differentiated into three semantic groups: conjunctions of similarity, identity, and comparative-contrastive ones, and by the specifics of functioning and transpositional peculiarities – proper conjunctions, improper conjunctions (connective words), and particulate conjunctions (transposed into particles). The formal representatives of comparative constructions are a comparative phrase as a member of a simple sentence and a subordinate comparative part as a structural component of a complex sentence. Their differential features are outlined: communicative, grammatical, formal, semantic and potential-transformational; structural models and specifics of functioning are described. The semantic-syntactic functions of comparative conjunctions in their typical expression are characterized, their positions in the structure of simple uncomplicated, simple complicated, and complex sentences are determined. It is proved that comparative phrases serve as a structural and semantic component of a simple sentence, performing formal-syntactic and semantic-syntactic functions.