Selection of image signs of internal form in the process of phraseological semiosis

This study examines the principles underlying the selection of image features in the internal form, which serve as the foundation for the process of phraseological semiosis. The research focuses on German phraseological units used to denote stereotypes. The article describes the principles guiding the selection of features that form the basis of semiosis, whether as an image or a presupposition, both of which function in a visual-sensory form. The image is formed in the minds of speakers as an idea about a subject, possessing specific characteristic/characteristics or property/properties of the subject, that distinguish it from similar entities. The presupposition is formed in a visual-sensual form as an element of the situation. Presuppositions, in turn, possess a sign/signs, a characteristic/characteristics that serve as the basis for categorization. Isolated sign, on the basis of which presupposition is assigned to a certain category, is used as the basis of semiosis – verbalization of a non-verbal sign by means of phraseological units. The selection of a sign of an image/presupposition is based on its visual expressiveness for speakers. The expressiveness of a feature is determined by its value within conceptual worldview of a certain historical period and its relevance to the ethnic group’s life. The selection of a language sign used for verbalization of the selected feature is activated within the corresponding seme, forming part of the content structure of the selected language unit.In the process of phraseological semiosis, images and presuppositions originate from different genetic groups, including transcultural, national, cultural, and borrowed elements. Among the national and cultural components, we single out ethnographic lacunar images and presuppositions, the signs of which are revealed through ethnopsycholinguistic and onomasiological analyses. Stereotypes represented by phraseological means verbalize appearance, physical condition of a person, intellectual qualities, moral, volitional characteristics, behavioral patterns.