Antonymy of Normal and Abnormal Behavior in Russian Lexis and Grammar
The article discusses asymmetry in Russian lexis characterizing human behavior. The author analyzes semantics of sentences, which imply preference of abnormal behavior to normal. Special attention is paid to complex sentences containing comparative forms such as ‘luchshe’ (‘better’) and ‘legche’ (‘easier’), and contrasting ‘abnormal’ and ‘normal’ behavior patterns: ‘legche umeret’ (povesitsya, zastrelitsya), chem...’ (‘It’s easier to die (hang or shoot oneself) than...’).