The paper considers the particularities of linguistic representation of perception process in late
stories by A. P. Chekhov. The research is based on basic statements of a sensory linguistics,
semantic syntax and functional stylistics of the text. A variety of ways of representation of sense
impressions displays the features of author's worldview. In 67 works, more than 4 000 utterances
with perceptual semantics are revealed. The main purpose is the analysis of linguistic means
of expression of the subject of perception and its role in text production. The challenge of the
subject designation comes from the fact that there are various semantic positions in the literary
text such as author, narrator and character.
The analysis and interpretation of special aspects of the subject worldview allow getting into
the deep meaning of the text and marking out some particularities of the individual style of the
narration. The paper suggests the possible options of classification of subjects of perceptual activity.
Two fairly arbitrary oppositions are considered: adults and children; people and animals. It is
argued that depending on the subject of perception, the prevalence of some perception type
is observed in the text: visual, audio, tactile, olfactory or flavouring Visual and audio perception
are the main ways of space orientation for people and their interaction. The utterances in which
the attention is focused on the loss of the ability to see and hear metaphorically transfer the idea
that the inner spiritual life of the hero ceases. Children perceive the world in all completeness
of its colour manifestations: bright light and various vibrant colours draw their attention, darkness
and sad tones frighten them.
For perception of adults, the social status and official capacity are important. The behavioural
reaction of characters and their emotional state are represented. In utterances with animals
as subjects of perception, the situation of smell and taste perception is regularly implemented.
Perceptual linguistic means with metaphorical meanings serve for assimilation of children
to adults and animals to people; participate in describing of surroundings, in which characters
live. Various sensual characteristics describe the appearance and behaviour of all characters.
Utterances with perceptual semantics in the literary text allow representing a situation «realistically», showing not only the general picture but also drawing attention to separate aspects of the
events and facts described.
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