"PRECIOUS STONE" CATEGORY AND ITS PROTOTYPICAL MEMBERS IN THE GEORGIAN LANGUAGE

Abstract

Cognitive research is a novelty in the Georgian linguistics and, consequently, scientific papers in this field are rare, due to which many categories are still unexplored, including “precious stone”. The subject of the present study is the category of “precious stone” and the identification of its basic category and prototype member in the Georgian language space. Accordingly, it will be used an experimental method consisting of two stages to identify such kind of members; In the first stage, it is necessary to determine which types of “precious stones” are found in the Georgian thinking space, and in the second stage, which sample is presented as a prototype member of this category. The aims and objectives of the research were defined: 1) Research of the general process of formation and categorization of the category of “precious stone” in people aged 18 to 60 years; 2) Identify specific signs of this category. To achieve this goal, the following tasks need to be solved: a) Selection of theoretical bases suitable for research purposes from existing theories of categorization; In this case the focus was on the prototype model of the category structure and its corresponding experimental method; b) obtaining analytical material; c) Proper (theoretical) analysis of the material; d) Relation of individual knowledge about the category of “precious stone” and its members to cultural knowledge, focusing on the causal factors; e) Identifying the hierarchical levels of the category and the basic category; Identify central and peripheral features for the categories under consideration and the relationships between them; f) Generalization of research results.