Lexical and phraseological paradigms: structural features and semantic relations in word, word combination, and idiomatic expressions

Abstract

In this research it is investigated the paradigmatic forms and semantic interrelations of words, word combinations, and phraseological units within the framework of modern structural and cognitive linguistics. We focus on how paradigmatic relations—such as synonymy, antonymy, hyponymy, and stylistic or functional variation—operate not only among individual lexical items but also between free combinations and fixed idiomatic expressions. By analyzing the structural and semantic mechanisms that connect these linguistic elements, the study reveals how paradigmatic relationships contribute to the organization of the mental lexicon and to the overall semantic coherence of language. Particular attention is paid to the paradigmatic behavior of phraseological units in comparison to words and collocations, with an emphasis on their role in cultural conceptualization and linguistic creativity. We draw on examples from the Azerbaijani language to illustrate how language users access and manipulate paradigmatic alternatives in both literal and figurative speech. The methodological approach includes comparative, descriptive, and functional-semantic analysis. The findings are expected to be relevant for theoretical linguistics, lexicology, translation studies, and intercultural communication.