STYLISTIC LABELS IN DICTIONARIES AS A MIRROR OF THE ERA

This article analyzes stylistic labels in academic explanatory dictionaries as a tool that reflects not only linguistic characteristics of vocabulary but also conveys extralinguistic information, including ideological frameworks and social evaluations. The study examines these labels from two perspectives: as markers of functional-stylistic word properties and as carriers of ideological, social, and cultural information. Drawing on authoritative explanatory dictionaries, the research demonstrates how stylistic labels may reflect historical context, authors’ ideological positions, as well as evolving social norms and value systems. Particular attention is paid to challenges encountered in lexicographic description of two relevant lexical groups: feminatives (feminine noun forms) and terms for people with various medical conditions. The study notes inconsistencies in stylistic labeling and the potential infl uence of “new ethics” on lexicographic decisions. It emphasizes that dictionaries cannot be completely free from ideology, as they inevitably mirror social processes, with stylistic labels serving to varying degrees as indicators of these changes. The conclusion highlights the need to develop more flexible contemporary approaches to stylistic labeling that would account for both linguistic criteria and dynamic sociocultural factors.