Historical changeability of semantic structure

As a result of these semantic changes, which, according to scientists, are universal in nature, in the modern English language became possible phrases of the type: “sharp wine”“soft light”, soft tints, sour smell, etc. The values of the size and sound properties are combined into its semantics by adjectives “deep”, “low”, “thin”, etc.Another important point in describing the semantic changes is the role that they play in preserving the unity of the word and ensuring the semantic stability of significant layers of vocabulary. Very often, changing the objects and phenomena of the world around us, as well as changing our perceptions and knowledge of the world, does not entail the replacement of old names, the semantics of which are undergoing significant changes. On the contrary, already existing names are transferred to a new circle of objects or phenomena that has arisen in the course of development, especially if their purpose and functional orientation are the same. Thus, the word bread 'bread' currently refers to a product significantly different from what the word denoted centuries ago, as well as the types of weapons denoted by the word weapon in modern English, are completely different in comparison with the Middle Ages, although invariably their target use. Our understanding of the structure of the atom, which is not thought to be more indivisible, as the etymology suggests, has also changed, and the semantic content of the word atom has accordingly changed. The preservation of the name takes place not only in cases of changes in the internal structure, the form of objects, the nature of their actions, etc. The name is also preserved when the circle of denoters denoted by it is expanding or narrowing in the process of historical development, or the emotional-valued relation to the denoted one is changing. For example, the word cook until the 16th century was used to refer only to male cooks, at present the area of ​​its reference includes women; uncle 'uncle' is used today not only to refer to the mother's brother (his original meaning), but also to the brother of his father, husband of his aunt, thereby greatly expanding the number of people designated by him. The extension of values ​​also occurred in the semantics of the words “bird”, “junk”, “album”, “assignment”, “companion”, “butcher”, “picture” and many others. The field of reference and the word “girl” changed, which in the Middle English period meant a young man of any gender, and in modern English only applies to females. The meaning of the word “hound” was also narrowed, which instead of a common set of dogs began to denote only a lot of hunting dogs. Similar processes of narrowing values ​​have occurred in the semantics of the words “token” − 'sign, symbol', “undertaker” – ‘owner of the funeral home’; ‘entrepreneur’; “coast” –‘seashore, coast’ and others.In this way, such a linguistic picture of the world, imprinted in the values that have arisen as a result of semantic transfers, is characterized by a significant identity in different languages, much greater than the uniqueness of metonymic meanings. Despite the numerous analogies dictated, apparently, by the universal laws of associative thinking, in the semantics of correlative words there are even more numerous discrepancies of metaphorical meanings.Thus, in the course of historical changes in the semantic structure, the main changes occurred in the sphere of word formation. Under the influence of different historical, social and cultural factors, new words have withered, or old meanings of the language have acquired new meanings.The main thing, however, is that due to the transfer of names, the constant semantic changes caused by extra- and intra linguistic causes cause not a radical change in the lexical composition of the language that one would expect, but only a blackout or a complete loss of the initial motivation of words. A very important role in changing the semantics of the word is also played by social factors, primarily the use of words by certain social groups. This is due to the fact that every social environment is characterized by the uniqueness of its designations, as a result of which the word acquires a different content in the speech.ConclusionThus, the basis of any language change is variation in speech. But not every variation leads to a linguistic change. Selection of a variety of language variants is accomplished either under the influence of factors conditioned by language contact, the history of language development (extra linguistic factors), or under the influence of the properties of the linguistic system itself (intralinguistic factors).Within the study also was revealed the synonyms number as one of the most striking manifestations of systematic vocabulary is synonymous connections. As a diachronic phenomenon, the synonymic number can trace the changes associated with the departure from the lexical system of some members of the number and the arrival of others;changes in the semantic structure of the members of the number;changes in the spheres of their use; changes in inter-number relations based on word polysemy.Thus, semantic changes have a dual function. On the one hand, they act as a factor ensuring the continuity and consistency of the lexical composition of the language. On the other hand, they are an effective means of creating secondary meanings and ultimately lead to the emergence of polysemantic lexical units. It should be emphasized once again that the ways of semantic changes, despite their universal nature and technique of implementation, are specific in each language, which is also confirmed by examples of different Semantic development of genetically identical words in different languages. The aim, set in the study is achieved and tasks are fulfilled. Was considered the essence of historical semantic structure study, synonyms number as one of the most prominent systemic manifestations of historical vocabulary, causes and methods of historical changeability in semantic structure.ReferencesAikhenvald Alexandra Y., Dixon R.M.W. Language at Large: Essays on Syntax and Semantics / Y. Aikhenvald Alexandra, R.M.W. –The Netherlands: Koninklijke Brill NV. Leiden, 2011. – 606 p.Arnold, I. V. 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