Functions of Russian prefix verbs of motion in terms of cognitive studies (based on modern Russian songs)

Abstract

This paper studies the functions of Russian motion verbs from the perspective of cognitive linguistics. We analyze the functions of the prefix structure of the verb идти in the lyrics of modern Russian songs. Here, we consider independent prefixes used with Russian motion verbs, such as по-, вы-, у-, от-, при-, до-, за-, под-, в/во-, про-, etc. They have different meanings. This study is based on the lyrics of modern Russian songs. In the framework of the study, we have explored about 150 songs. The main research method is observation. We have concretized the meaning of the prefix structure from the perspective of cognitive linguistics and found that the verbs of motion, prefixed with от/ото-, include emotions of worry and fear. The prefix у- has the meaning of sadness, sorrow, despair and other emotions. The paper also represents the emotional meanings of other prefixes. For example, the verb выйти may indicate that the subject is trying to get rid of some complex or difficult situation. The verbs прийти and дойти indicate that a person successfully reaches a certain place, but прийти usually indicates the place, which the subject visits regularly. Дойти represents the movement undertaken with a certain goal or task and so on.