The Linguo-Cultural Concept TORSCHLUSSPANIK as the Representative of Ethno-Specific Psycho-Emotional State of Germans

Abstract

The given article studies linguo-specificity of the German linguo-cultural concept TORSCHLUSSPANIK that covers a wide semantic space of human psycho-emotional state, which is concentrated around the semantic center “midlife crisis”. The revelation of the semantic content of this concept is conducted by verifying the methodology which is a sequence of research procedures. The scientific reliability of this methodology is ensured by Corpus Linguistics data to empirically reinforce linguistic methods proper. Procedure steps of the given methodology are used to identify cross-language equivalents of the concepts names in the comparative linguo-cultural studies in general, because cross-language equivalence allows studying semantic equivalence within the corresponding conceptual world pictures (CWP) which makes it possible to reveal specific vs. unique senses of the compared concepts.

The conducted analysis proves that the reproduction of the fragment in the German CWP representing the concept TORSCHLUSSPANIK is possible in Ukrainian only with the help of actualizing sense equivalents of the given concept – FEAR, MIDDLE AGE, AGING, TIME, LIFE and DEATH. This way their symbolic and mythological meanings are specifically actualized. It was determined in the article, that ethno-specificity of the concept TORSCHLUSSPANIK arose due to the particular combination of meanings that represent a wide emotional palette of Germans, for whom psycho-emotional depressive state of “midlife crisis” is reinforced by the emotion of fear. In its turn, the latter is intensified by the emotion of disappointment at being late, not realising smth, failing to do smth etc. It is remarkable that disappointment is usually accompanied by anger, anxiety, guilt, hostility, malevolence, envy, jealousy and shame.