TITLE OF THE LITERARY WORK: FROM EXTERNAL FORM TO ENCODED MEANING

Abstract

The article is dedicated to the study of the title as a key element of the literary text, performing the function of the primary semantic code and serving as a mediator between the author and the reader. The relevance of the work is determined by the necessity of a comprehensive understanding of the rile of the title in the formation of the role of the title in the formation of the text’s semantic structure, as well as the insufficient level of exploration of this issue in both domestic and foreign text linguistics. The study generalizes scientific approaches to defining the status of the title, in particular, its interpretation as a compressed linguistic unit that encapsulates the main idea of the work. The article examines the primary functions of the title, including informative, thematic, symbolic, predictive and pragmatic functions, and outlines their role in the interpretation process of the literary text. The study explores the role of the title of the text as a significant element that not only defines the interpretation of the work but also mediates the interaction between the author and the reader. The title is considered the first linguistic unit, concentrating the main ides and philosophical meaning of the text, while also acting as a mediator that activates cognitive expectations. The article also addresses the historical evolution of titles and their interaction with the text, emphasizing the symbolic and functional significance of titles within the context of a literary work. It is noted that the title is not a passive element but actively shapes the overall semantic context of the work, integrating key themes and conflicts that unfold in the main text. Special attention is given to the analysis of structural-semantic types of titles and their classification according to formal and content-related characteristics. The study explores the peculiarities of titles in German-language literature, specifically their grammatical organization, types of syntactic constructions and ways of encoding content. Through examples from well-known works, the mechanism of translation from the external form of the title to its deep, symbolic meaning is illustrated. As a result, it is established that the title is a dynamic unit whose meaning is fully revealed only in interaction with the text. It serves not only as a means of nomination but also as an instrument for modeling the artistic space, shaping readers’ expectations, and representing the author’s concept. Thus, the title of a literary work emerges as a complex psycholinguistics phenomenon that ensures the integrity of the text and facilitates its deeper understanding.