Review of the practice of compiling associative dictionaries

Abstract

The article provides a description of the main associative dictionaries of various languages — in particular, Russian, English, and Slavic languages — published at the end of the last century. It also presents the results of a computer-based associative experiment conducted by the authors. The history of the associative experiment, widely used in global linguistic practice, is briefly reviewed. The description of the dictionaries reflects the types of associative experiments, the respondent samples, and the structural features of the dictionaries. Particular attention is given to the recording of the obtained data in dictionary entries and their analysis. In the course of the review of associative dictionaries, the lexicographic characteristics of “the Russian Associative Dictionary”, “the Slavic Associative Dictionary: Russian, Belarusian, Bulgarian, Ukrainian” (abbreviated as
“the Slavic Associative Dictionary”), as well as the Edinburgh Associative Thesaurus are analyzed. The results of a computer- associative experiment, conducted as a pilot survey in three languages (Kazakh,Russian, and English) using the Google Forms  platform, are presented in the form of a table that reflects thenational consciousness of the Kazakh people through stimuli  representing national concepts. In the process of compiling and analyzing the national associative dictionary of the Kazakh language, linguistic features characteristic of the Kazakh national mentality were identified. The main distinction of this dictionary from similar works in other languages is that the reactions include fixed expressions, metaphors, epithets, aphorisms,
and catchphrases. Furthermore, based on the results of psychological studies, the authors conclude that there are differences in linguistic consciousness, worldview, ways of expressing emotions, thinking, and the use of linguistic units between men and women. These gender differences were identified through the analysis of association statistics, which allowed the authors to confirm their hypothesis about the presence of “genderspecific” features in the reactions. Thus, the associative dictionary helps to reveal the gender characteristics of both individual and societal linguistic consciousness. The publication of the National Associative Dictionary of the Kazakh Language is considered a valuable foundation for studying the ethnocultural traits of the Kazakh ethnos’ mentality. Since the dictionary reflects linguocultural and ethno-social stereotypes in the linguistic consciousness of contemporary speakers of the Kazakh language, it offers broad opportunities for addressing current challenges in modern integrative linguistics. The article is intended for lexicography specialists as well as a broad audience interested in linguistic studies.