Intensity as an Estimated Characteristic of Emotional Processes (Based on the Material of Polish, Russian and Ukrainian)

The article analyzes the language means by which the intensity of emotional processes in Polish, Russian and Ukrainian is reflected on the example of the names of emotions that are part of the “compassion” group. By the intensity of emotions, we mean a quantitative assessment of the quality of the emotional process relative to a certain norm. Verbalizers of the intensity of emotional experiences include lexemes describing the power of the emotions themselves and the impact of the emotions on a person. The characteristics of the power of the manifestation of emotions are objectified most often with the help of adjectives and adverbs. Verbalization of the power of the influence of emotional experiences on a person in Polish, Russian and Ukrainian can occur by objectifying the temperature characteristics of feelings, as well as through association with images of fluid and fire. Besides intensity on the quantitative side, a feeling is also characterized by duration – the time interval between the beginning and the end of an emotion. In terms of duration, the emotions of the “compassion” group in Polish, Russian and Ukrainian are described as sudden and short-lived states