Denominations of emotions in Latvian and Lithuanian

The aim of the present paper is to consider the semantic structure of the basic emotions bailes (fear) and kauns (shame) in Latvian and Lithuanian by analyzing lexicographic definitions and making use of explanatory dictionaries, dictionaries of synonyms and phraseological dictionaries. As testified by dictionaries, in the Latvian language emocija (emotion) is defined as some specific experience brought about by a certain excitation, as well as feeling and passing emotional situation, but in the Lithuanian language emotion is defined as mental experience, excitement, anxiety. Jūtas (feeling) is characterized as experience in which a human beingis attitude to both the environment and himself is manifested. Within the primary meaning, emotion is a component of the definition of feeling both in Latvian and Lithuania. Thus, the fact that emotions and feelings are not separated is supported by the definitions of these lexemes as well. From the aspect of evaluation, the analyzed denominations fear and shame are negative emotions. The lexemes denoting fear are polysemous words. However, only the primary meanings correspond, the derived meanings in Latvian are related to the expression of the emotion kauns (shame), while the meaning transfer is more indirect and detached. In respect of their semantic structures, the lexemes denoting shame in Latvian and Lithuanian present even more differences: the denomination is more intricate in the Latvian language, though, semantically, the derived meanings are close to the primary meaning; in Lithuanian the lexeme has two meanings and the derived one manifests the marked transfer of meaning. In the analysis of denominations of emotions and their semantics, the intensity of the expression of feelings is of great significance as well. To a certain extent, intensity appears in the lexicographic definitions; however, it is manifested more vividly if synonyms are compared. It manifests itself in word combinations and to some extent in phraseological units, too. The analysis of the lexicographic definitions of the denominations of emotions bailes (fear) and kauns (shame) testifies to the fact that the primary meanings are 238 Valoda n 2014. Valoda dažādu kultūru kontekstā semantically close in both languages considered, while the derived meanings are rather different. The linguistic manifestations of both emotions allow for the expression of both evaluation and intensity