Approaches And Directions In Russian Word-Formation Studies: From Structural-Semantic To Cognitive-Communicative Perspectives

This article provides a comprehensive overview of approaches and directions in Russian word-formation research (derivatology) from the mid-20th to early 21st century. It examines structural-semantic, onomasiological, paradigmatic, field-based, and cognitive models of derivational analysis, emphasizing their theoretical foundations and methodological implications. Special attention is given to the interpretation of derived words as units of knowledge representation and to the interplay between cognitive and communicative factors in word formation. The study highlights how paradigmatic concepts such as the word-formation field (slovoobrazovatelnoe pole) and semantic-derivational category (semantiko-slovoobrazovatelnayakategoriya) facilitate the integration of morphological, semantic, and conceptual dimensions. Finally, the article argues for an integrative cognitive-communicative approach, demonstrating that word formation functions not only as a mechanism of linguistic categorization but also as a dynamic interface between the speaker’s cognitive structures and discourse practices. This perspective provides a framework for future international research in Russian derivatology and its comparative alignment with Western word-formation theories.