Semantic Differential: A Study of the Closest Components of Joy in Spanish and English Linguocultures

The subject of the study is the emotion of joy and its components identified using the semantic differential method, illustrated with examples from English and Spanish. The semantic differential and its application to the study of joy occupy a significant position in contemporary linguistics. Emotions determine human behavior, influence self-perception and perceptions of others, and are linked to the overall level of personal well-being. Joy is traditionally viewed as a positive emotional state; however, its internal structure is far from homogeneous, encompassing various shades of experience, from calm satisfaction to exuberant delight. Therefore, analyzing the close components of joy and the linguistic means of their expression in different languages becomes particularly important for successful and effective communication in various contexts. The methods and methodology of the research include the semantic differential method itself, based on which scales for questionnaires were developed; the questionnaire method for collecting relevant material; as well as structural analysis. The main conclusion of this study is the identification of the key components of joy and their semantic characteristics in English and Spanish through the semantic differential method using a ten-point questionnaire. Conclusions were drawn about the connection of the concept of joy for representatives of English-speaking linguistic culture with components such as "activity," "mystery," "individualism," and with the concepts of "collective," "openness," "lightness," and "loudness" for representatives of Spanish-speaking linguistic culture. The novelty of the study lies in the analysis of the key components of joy using the semantic differential method based on questionnaires from native speakers. Utilizing Ch. Osgood’s method allowed for the identification of implicit evaluative aspects by which native speakers differentiate the concept of "joy" in English-speaking and Spanish-speaking linguistic cultures. The analysis of the results from the semantic differential opens new opportunities for subsequent applied research.