LINGUISTIC OBJECTIVATION OF THE NOTIONAL COMPONENT OF THE CONCEPT FRIEDEN IN MODERN GERMAN

Abstract

The article focuses on the conceptual component of the notion FRIEDEN within the framework of cognitive linguistics. The relevance of the study is explained by the fact that the idea of peace has always played a crucial role in German linguoculture, reflecting historical experience, collective memory, and cultural values. In German, FRIEDEN does not simply denote the absence of war or open conflict; it functions as a key cultural symbol, carrying legal, political, social, and spiritual meanings. For this reason, the definitional analysis of its lexical representation in dictionaries becomes an important step towards a broader cognitive and cultural investigation. The methodological basis of the research is the definitional method, which enabled the comparison of dictionary entries from Duden, DWDS, Verben, and PONS. The analysis revealed that the core of the concept consists of meanings associated with a legally secured state of peace, official agreements, and the idea of harmonious coexistence. At the same time, the periphery of the concept is represented by less frequent but significant semantic components, such as the absence of violence and armed conflict, as well as a religious dimension of peace connected with spiritual security and trust in divine protection. The results confirm that FRIEDEN is a multidimensional cognitive construct. It integrates political and juridical aspects with cultural, social, and axiological layers, which distinguishes it from closely related notions like RUHE («calm») or SICHERHEIT («security»). The study demonstrates that peace in German linguoculture should be interpreted not only as a condition of political order but also as a culturally loaded phenomenon, deeply embedded in values, ethical orientations, and collective identity. Future research may concentrate on the figurative and axiological components of FRIEDEN in German publicistic discourse, where the concept undergoes constant semantic shifts under the influence of current political and social events.