Concept “rumor” in terms of lexicographic analysis. Part 1

The article is devoted to the linguistic modeling of the concept “rumour” on the lexico-phraseological level of the English language in the synchronistic aspect. The main objective of the research is to identify specific character of the language representation of the concept under investigation by the lexicographic material by means of the definition semantic method involving etymological analysis. The study of the notion “rumour” is made in terms of linguo-cognitive and linguo-cultural approaches. The features of the rumour phenomenon categorization are described with the help of parameterization of its semantic components. The concept «rumour» is presented as a complex cognitive construct consisting of two levels: a level of the product and a level of the process of specific interpersonal communication. The author separates out prototypical features of the concept “rumour”: an informal interpersonal level of its functioning, anonymity of an information source, unconfirmed information status (lack of evidentiary support), different grades of information reliability, topical character of the information disseminated, and its ability to circulate. The article reveals rumour hierarchy on the basis of a set of different scales representing their taxons.