On classification of homonyms (based on dictionaries of homonyms)

The article presents an analysis of the entries of homonym dictionaries from the point of view of classification principles for understanding the essence of homonymy as a universal phenomenon that permeates all levels of language and occurs in various languages worldwide. Homonymy is viewed as a result of historical or accidental coincidence of linguistic signs having completely different meanings; also, as a result of internal linguistic transformations or external changes that have led to overlapping or coinciding with signs of other languages, which manifests an aspect of translingualism. Currently, there are various dictionaries of homonyms, the authors of which present their own classifications; however, we can observe common features in these dictionaries, namely, the authors explicate the presence or absence of overlaps or coincidences, according to which the degree of “homonymization” of the linguistic units is stated. We assume that the dictionary analysis contributes to multifaceted consideration of homonymy.