Lexical and Semantic Group of Adjectives
Denoting Space Dimensions and
Coordinates in Modern Yakut
Fedor Nikolaevich D IATCHKOVSKY
(Institute of the Humanities and the Indigenous
Peoples of the North, SB RAS, Russia)
DIATCHKOVSKY, F. N. (2011) Lexical and Semantic Group of
Adjectives Denoting Space Dimensions and Coordinates in
Modern Yakut. Altai Hakpo 21: 139-146. The Altaic Society of
Korea.
The article is devoted to the specific character of lexical polysemy in
lexical and semantic groups (hereinafter LSG) of adjectives denoting
space dimensions and coordinates in modern Yakut. This LSG,
performing the role of quantitative and anthropometric metaphors,
peculiarly refracts a parametric component ‘more/lesser of the norm’
which is a nucleus of their original meaning.
Keywords: Yakut language, lexical and semantic group (LSG), adjective,
polysemy
1. Introduction
The present article discusses the specific character of lexical polysemy in lexical and semantic group (hereinafter LSG) of adjectives
denoting space dimensions and coordinates in modern Yakut. There are
2 synonymic lines in this group: kïraman – ïraaχ ‘far, distant’, ǰara –
čïčaas ‘shallow’ and 4 antonymic pairs according to their initial (basic)
meanings: ïraaχ ‘far’ – čugas ‘close’, diriŋ ‘deep’ – čïčaas ‘shallow’, kieŋ
알타이학보 제 21 호
140
‘wide’ – kïaraγas ‘narrow’, ketit ‘broad’ – ïgïm ‘narrow, tight’.
Understood by the lexical and semantic group is a complex of words
belonging to one part of speech (lexical and grammatical category of
words) which are united together into one group according to the
semantic similarity of notions denoted by these words on the basis of
similarity or disparity of meanings.
Lexical and semantic group represents by itself a combination of
some words around the nuclear words i.e. dominants “characterized by
generalization and content-richness of their semantics in contrast to
the other members of this LSG” (Ščepina 1984: 7). The latter, as a
rule, work out the meaning of dominant in detail and define it more
exactly. However, there is no general conception in scientific editions
regarding to the marking of dominant which would be ‘pivotal’ or
‘core’ word in LSG. The principle worked out by N. N. Vasil’eva is
used for recognition of the core word in a definite LSG of synonymous
lines in Yakut. The determinative features of the dominant are: a) the
broader
compatibility
with
other
words;
b)
conformance
to
the
normative standards; c) the most clear, exact expression of the
semantic
meaning
of
LSG;
d)
neutrality
in
stylistic
expression
(Vasil’eva 1994: 85).
2. Description of the semantic structure of adjectives
The dominants for adjective LSG which denote space dimensions
and coordinates are the words kieŋ ‘wide’, diriŋ ‘deep’, and χalïŋ
‘thick’. Let’s consider the adjective diriŋ ‘deep’ which combines a few
inter-related lexical and semantic variants (hereinafter LSV):
Something which goes far underneath from top to the bottom (deep).
Diriŋ küöl ‘deep lake’ (STBT 2006: 118).
1. Something which has a deeper or bigger depth in comparison
with similar subjects. Diriŋ täriälkä ‘deep plate’ (STBT 2006: 119).
2. Something situated far from the upper part; something which
penetrates into a significant depth. Diriŋ silis ‘deep root’ (STBT 2006:
119).
Adjectives Denoting Space Dimensions and Coordinates
141
3. Something which comes out from depth (e.g. respiration, moaning
etc.). Oγońńor diriŋ baγajïtïk üöhee tïïnar, emeeχsin χaraγïttan “samïïr1)
tammaχtïïr ‘Old man sighs deeply, tears come out from the eyes of old
woman’ (Eristiin 1969: 55).
4. Figurative. Contentive, well-grounded. Diriŋ sanaa ‘deep thought’
(STBT
2006:
119),
ostuorujalarïnan
diriŋ
noruot
ideya
‘solid,
bäjätin
diriŋ
intensional
filosofijatïn,
idea’.
Soroχ
estetičeskaj
körüülerin eter ‘The nation’s deep, philosophic and esthetic thoughts
are expressed in some fairy tales’ (Sivcev 1970: 129).
5. Figurative. Something which is deep, strong, sincere (concerning
to a feeling, emotional condition, etc.). Diriŋ taptal ‘sincere love (strong
love)’, diriŋ maχtal ‘sincere gratitude’ (STBT 2006: 119).
6. Figurative. Something which has achieved its culmination in
development. Diriŋ krizis ‘deep crisis’, diriŋ mökküör ‘deep controversy’
(STBT 2006: 120).
7. Figurative. Expressive, attentive, careful (about eyes, attitude).
Kini
diriŋ
χaraχtarïnan
bolγomtolooχtuk
kördö
‘He
has
looked
attentively with his expressive eyes’ (STBT 2006: 120). Here we have
what is called a multiple meaning (polysemy) with semantic derivation
between LSV or a polysemy with LSV derivation links.
In its semantic structure the adjective diriŋ ‘deep’ has three
separate groups of meaning which are closely connected.
The first group includes the nominative non-derivative and nominative
derivative meanings 1-4, which include the linear size of definite
volumes in their semantics (diriŋ appa ‘deep ravine’, diriŋ iin ‘deep
hole’, diriŋ silis ‘deep root’). The second group includes metaphoric
figurative meaning which includes the seme ‘smth. which possesses a
deepness in meaning’ (diriŋ sanaa ‘deep thought’, diriŋ maχtal ‘deep
gratitude’). The third group is formed by the meanings of evaluative
character. This includes the meaning 7 ‘smth. which has achieved its
culmination in development’ (diriŋ mökküör ‘deep controversy’) with a
negative hue and the meaning 8 ‘very expressive, attentive and careful’
1) samïïr is a noun which means ‘rain’ but in this case it is used in the
figurative meaning ‘tears’.
알타이학보 제 21 호
142
which is used in description of a person’s opinion.
The adjective diriŋ ‘deep’ expresses the mental abilities of a person
in description of adjectives: diriŋ biliileeχ kihi ‘person with deep
knowledge’2), regularly characterizing his speech and thoughts: diriŋ is
χohoonnooχ etii ‘deeply contentive speech’, diriŋ idejalaaχ ‘with deep,
fruitful idea’. Еrеjdееχ-burujdaaχ kihi sanaata diriŋ, kieŋ buolaaččï ‘The
thoughts of a man in distress are deeper, broader’ (STBT 2006: 119).
In combination with nouns which denote human emotions, the same
adjective expresses a higher degree of intensiveness: diriŋ taptal ‘deep
love’, diriŋ ïtïktabïlïn tierder ‘he expresses his deep (sincere) respect’
(STBT 2006: 119).
The adjective čïčaas ‘shallow’ is an antonym to adjective diriŋ ‘deep’
and it develops regular symmetrical antonymic relations: diriŋ / čïčaas
küöl ‘deep / shallow lake’, diriŋ / čïčaas öjdööχ-sanaalaaχ kihi ‘a man
with deep / shallow mind, a narrow minded person’ which reveals a
systemic structure of LSG.
A synonym to the adjective čïčaas ‘shallow’ is ǰara ‘shallow bottomed’
and it also develops similar meanings with čïčaas. Čïčaas / ǰara üreχ
‘shallow river’, čïčaas / ǰara öjdööχ ‘shallow minded’.
Adjective kieŋ with its primary meaning ‘wide, broad, vast’ e.g. kieŋ
alaas ‘wide meadow’, kieŋ telgehe ‘wide garden’, kieŋ χos ‘spacious
room’ is a productive base for a whole line of derivative-metaphoric
meanings.
Derivative-metaphoric meanings elbeχ ǰonu χabar, sir aajï tarγammït
‘smth.
which
involves
vast
number
of
people,
massive,
widely
distributed everywhere’, ügühü χabar ‘smth. which involves a lot’ are
connected with the primary meaning on the basis of associative feature
i.e. a notion about the vastness of encompassing a social layer.
Adjective kiеŋ ‘wide’ can define also other notions which depict groups
of people or aggregate of subjects of any nature: kiеŋ ajmaχtaaχ ‘one
who possesses many relatives’, kieŋ aaγaaččïlaaχ χahïat ‘newspaper
which has many readers’. Combinations with kieŋ are a typical method
2) The examples which are not referenced are given by the author. They
are in general use and are known to the Yakut speakers.
Adjectives Denoting Space Dimensions and Coordinates
143
of quantitative characteristics to some multitude (a certain aggregate) of
subjects. Word combinations kieŋ bïragïraama ‘vast program’, kieŋ
bïlaan ‘wide plan’ adjoin to the considered models of use. In this case,
nouns bïlaan ‘plan’ and bïragïraama ‘program’ have the valence of
subjects (bïlaan ‘plan’ – preliminary arrangement and regulations accepted
for execution of long-term scope of work; bïragïraama ‘program’ – content,
vision for development and plan for a scope of work in future) and kieŋ
‘wide’, as in other cases, characterize this subject as significant
heterogeneous multiplicity in quantitative relation.
Besides
küüsteeχ,
these
meanings,
küüreenneeχ,
kieŋ
possesses
dalaahïnnaaχ
‘wide,
a
metaphoric
energetic,
meaning
broad-scaled’
(STBT 2007: 189) which characterizes a significant ability of human
action. With this meaning, another metaphoric meaning araas egelgeleeχ,
tatïma, tutaγa suoχ, muŋura suoχ ‘various, unlimited, infinite’ (STBT
2007: 198) is related which characterizes a person who possesses vast
knowledge, wide views and scope of interests, familiarity in certain
field of science.
This adjective in description of a person also characterizes him as
even-tempered and calm: salajar kihi kieŋ, χolku buoluoχtaaχ (X. S. 1:
14) ‘a manager should be calm, without hastiness’.
Adjective kieŋ is more exposed to phraseologisation than other units
of the group. Phraseologisation is clearly traced in transfer of primary
meaning to the regions of body: kieŋ köγüstääχ – olus χolku, naγïl
verbatim ‘with a broad back – very calm, balanced’ (STBT 2007: 189),
Platon Aleksejevič3)… χolku, kieŋ köγüstääχ kihi ‘Platon Alekseyevich…
is a very calm, balanced person’ (Zabolockij 1984: 195).
Thus, adjective kieŋ is distinguished by a more wide range of
semantic transfers and hence by a wider compatibility.
The antonym adjective ïgïm ‘narrow, tight’ also develops symmetrical
antonymic relations in designation of space: ïgïm sir ‘tightened area’,
ïgïm χos ‘narrow room’; in description of person this adjective conveys
a negative connotation ‘unbalanced, hasty’: Valentin Petrovič4) ïgïm soγus
3) Platon Aleksejevič Oyunskiy is the prominent Yakut writer and public
figure.
알타이학보 제 21 호
144
majgïlaaχ, kiŋneeχ kihi ete (X. S. 2: 26). ‘Valentin Petrovič was sort of
a narrow tempered, mean person’.
Besides
these
meanings,
metaphoric meaning
adjective
ïgïm
ïksallaaχ, tietelleeχ
also
contains
another
‘hasty, prompt’ which is
connected with a notion of time waste, short term for something. Їgïm
üle ‘hurried work’, ïgïm bolǰoχ ‘short deadline’.
Adjective kïaraγas ‘narrow’, which is an antonym to kieŋ ‘wide’, also
develops a symmetrical semantics. In the primary meaning this lexeme
is defined hence: iene kïra, kieŋe suoχ ‘small in covered area, rather
narrow’ – kïaraγas χos ‘cramped room’, kïaraγas suol ‘narrow road’. In
nominative-derivative
meanings
kïaraγas
simultaneously
develops
antonymic semantic structure. Cf. kïaraγas / kieŋ taŋas ‘tight / wide
clothes’, kïaraγas / kieŋ sir ‘narrow / wide area’, kïaraγas / kieŋ
köγüsteeχ ‘hasty, short-tempered / calm, polite person’, kïaraγas / kieŋ
öjdööχ-sanaalaaχ ‘narrow minded / wise’.
It should be noted that the methods of realization of quantitative
metaphor i.e. use of adjectives kieŋ / ketit / kïaraγas ‘wide / broad /
narrow’ for characteristics of bigger/larger quantity (bigger or lesser
aggregate) of subjects differ. Differences in character of functioning
concerning to members of antonymic pair are defined by the difference
of their combinatory abilities.
Adjectives ïraaχ ‘far’ – čugas ‘close’ are related to space dimension.
They are not only antonymic in their initial meanings, but also in the
structural organization of LSV. Cf.: ïraaχ / čugas orojuon ‘remote /
nearby region’, ïraaχ / čugas saa tïaha ‘distant / close sound of shot’,
ïraaχ / čugas uruu ‘distant / close relative’, ïraaχ / čugas doγor
‘distant / close friend’, naukattan ïraaχ / naukaγa čugas ‘far from
science / close to science’ etc.
All derivative meanings of adjectives ïraaχ ‘far’ and čugas ‘close’ are
tightly connected with initial, nominative-non-derivative meaning.
It should be noted that space coordinates are always conceived in
relation to a human being, with his ability to measure everything
4) Valentin Petrovič is a head of sovkhoz (joint agricultural enterprise in
the Soviet period).
Adjectives Denoting Space Dimensions and Coordinates
145
important for him according to his own image and likeness or according
to subjects perceived in space measurement.
3. Conclusion
Thus LSG of adjectives which denote space measurements and
coordinates, simultaneously performing the role of quantitative and
anthropometric metaphors, peculiarly refracts a parametric component
‘more/lesser of the norm’ which is a nucleus of their original meaning.
This component is interpreted as ‘numerous, significant’ / ‘few in
number, insignificant’ and at that the matter deals with significant /
insignificant characteristics of different subjects, including a human
being.
Abbreviations
X. S.1
Xotugu Sulus (monthly magazine Polar Star). 1988. N 4. (p.104). (in
the Yakut language). Yakutsk: Yakutian Republican Printing House
named after Yu.A.Gagarin.
X. S.2
Xotugu Sulus (monthly magazine Polar Star). 1974. N 2. (p.112). (in
the Yakut language). Yakutsk: Yakutian Republican Printing House
named after Yu.A.Gagarin.
STBT
Saχa tïlïn bïhaarïïlaaχ tïlǰïta (Defining Dictionary of the Yakut
Language). 2006 (p.841). T. III. Novosibirsk: Nauka; 2007 (p.670). T.
IV. (in the Yakut language). Novosibirsk: Nauka.
References
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Sivcev, D. K. 1970. Saxa fol’klora (The Sakha folklor). Jakutsk: Knižnoje izdatel’stvo.
Ščepina, T. S. 1984. Semantičeskaja struktura prilagatel’nyx v sovremennom
146
알타이학보 제 21 호
russkom jazyke (Semantic structure of adjectives in Modern Russian), Avtoref.
diss. kand. filol. nauk (Abstract of dissertation by candidate of philological
sciences). Moskva: Moskov. Pedagog. Institut.
Vasil’eva, N. N. 1996. Leksičeskije sinonimy v jazyke saxa (Lexical synonyms
in Yakut). Jakutsk: Izdatel’stvo Yakutskogo naučnogo centra.
Zabolockij, N. A. 1984. Üjä aŋara (Half a lifetime). Jakutsk: Knižnoje izdatel’stvo.
DIATCHKOVSKY, Fedor Nikolaevich
Institute of the Humanities and the Indigenous Peoples of the North,
Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences
1, Petrovskogo str.
Yakutsk 677027 Russian Federation
<[email protected]>
Received 29 November 2010;
revision received 20 April 2011;
accepted 30 April 2011.