DIFFICULTIES IN DISTINGUISHING POLYSEMY AND HOMONYMY IN THE OSSETIAN LANGUAGE

Background. The content side of a lexical unit is central and most significant in the analysis of structural-semantic connections of words and their classification taking into account the identified features. For the Ossetian studies, such type of scientific research seems especially relevant, since semantic changes in a word associated with the phenomena of polysemy and homonymy in the Ossetian language have not been sufficiently studied. Purpose. The article is devoted to the study of semantic connections between lexical units of the Ossetian language and consideration of the mechanisms of their functioning in conditions of polysemy and homonymy. The current state of the Ossetian language allows us to assert that words are inclined to expand the boundaries of their semantic field, therefore, it becomes possible to isolate individual meanings into independent lexical units. The author aims to consider the basic principles of recognizing homonyms and establishing the boundaries of polysemy using techniques of contextual use. Method and methodology of the work performed. The methods of structural-semantic analysis and generalization were used. Results. To determine the semantic capabilities of a word and the peculiarities of the functioning of its meanings in the contextual environment, an analysis of lexicographic sources was carried out in comparison with illustrative material. The complete sample showed some discrepancies in dictionary definitions and in the definition of semantic connections between meanings. This is due to the fact that the divergence of meanings occurs due to the collapse of polysemy and in borderline cases these meanings may refer to the same lexical unit or are presented as homonyms. In relation to the vocabulary of the Ossetian language, the considered methods for identifying homonyms are effective only when used in a complex manner. Practical implications. The results of the study can be useful in the field of lexicology and serve for a more in-depth and detailed analysis of the phenomena of polysemy and homonymy in the Ossetian language when developing current principles for distinguishing homonyms from polysemantic words.