Pojęcie normy w polskim systemie leksykalnym

Abstract

The article addresses the problem of lexical determinants for the norm in the antonymic gradation scale. It is possible to say one of the following: przeciętny (average), normalny (normal), zwykły (usual), taki sobie (so so), taki w sam raz (just right), but these expressions do not point directly to the features whose norm they determine – one must add: przeciętna uroda (average looks), przeciętny wzrost (average height), etc. The norm is set in our consciousness, and usually there is no need to talk about it. And yet, it does happen that we have to talk about norm. 1/ We may need to supplement the antonymic series when the feature assigned to the object does not match either of the ends of the gradation scale; the given object is: ani mały, ani d uży (neither small, nor big); taki sobie (so so), przeciętny (average), średni (intermediate). 2/ Sometimes we wish to emphasize the importance, the significance of the norm; we then say that a given feature is: należyta dequate), odpowiednia (appropriate), jak trzeba (all right), taka w sam raz (just right), prawidłowa (proper), właściwa (suitable). Norm exponents in this class tend towards positive values, and positive markedness takes place in the history of language, cf. przystojny (handsome), godny (worthy), grzeczny (polite). 3/ We also refer to the norm when we want to stress its commonness – zwyczajny (obywatel) [ordinary (citizen)], zwykły (śmiertelnik) [mere (mortal)], przeciętny (zarobek) [average (earnings)], typowy (wypadek) [typical (accident)], szablonowe (postępowanie) [routine (conduct)]. These expressions tend towards negative values, cf. zwykły cham (simple lout), przeciętny pracownik (mediocre employee).