SOUND SYMBOLISM IN DIFFERENT GROUPS OF LANGUAGES
Sound symbolism represents the motivation of language sign based on sound imitation of the most distinctive phonetic property of denotatum. This phenomenon is viewed in the paper from two aspects - diachronic and synchronic. Diachronic aspect accounts for the problem of origin of human language and suggests the existence of primary natural link between vocal sound of a word and its meaning. The notion of phonological matrix is worked out and examined on the material of six languages (Russian, French, Spanish, Italian, English and German). The study of motivation via signifier has theoretical and practical implications.