Principle "Understanding" from Perspective of Linguistic Investigations

This article is aimed at investigation of the principle of " understanding" within linguistic reflection. Understanding is connected with interpretation of the context and knowledge of the interpreter, which is socially determined. Expediency of the discourse approach to studying the principle of text " understanding" is set and peculiarities of understanding in different types of discourse are shown. It is established that the cognition refers to psychic phenomenon and represents a method of social and humanitarian understanding and an integral component of social life, practical skill connected with social life. Understanding discourse is based on two constituent parts text's properties and specifics of linguistic personality. Understanding is also viewed from the point of view of its fullness (complete understanding and incomplete understanding). In the article, factors determining the possibility and effectiveness of speech influence are revealed: linguistic and extralinguistic (semiotic, social, cognitive, psychological) factors.