The evolution of emotive proper names in Russian language from XVII till XIX c.

Abstract

The article deals with a wide range of problems related to perception and interpreta-

tion of emotive proper names which existed in the Russian Language of 17–19 centu-

ries. This type of language units requires special background knowledge in the sphere

of emotive meanings which can be positive, negative or ambivalent. Emotive proper

names are based on national stereotypes; that is why they are capable to render lingua-

cultural information containing typical evaluations. In order to understand the evalu-

ative system represented in Russian language, linguists should analyze emotive proper

names from the aspects of space and time, and these principles of analysis enable us to

expose evolutionary processes both in the range of emotive proper names and in the

manner of their use.