LEXICAL COMPLEX IN KHMER: «UNNECESSARY VERBOSITY» OR ELABORATION OF MEANING?

Abstract

Complexity of language units in Mon- Khmer and other Asian languages of isolating profile is their prominent feature. The article deals with a specific type of Khmer complex units that is lexical complex, in particular verbal lexical complex which has an exceptionally high frequency in Khmer text. In linguistic literature dealing with isolating languages of Asia, including Khmer, this type of complex units is not recognized due to the fact that they do not look different from complex words and serial verb constructions being also sequences of verbs without any means of subordination or coordination. A most characteristic feature of Khmer is chains consisting of several verbs. Their presence in discourse is often seen as unnecessary verbosity, having nothing to do with expression of meaning. Russian linguist D. I. Yelovkov was the first to introduce the concept of lexical complex in Khmer. According to him, a lexical complex consists of two or more lexemes which make up a structural and semantic unity of a special kind [Еловков 2006, с. 106]. He singled out several types of lexical complexes and described their functional potential in detail. It was a real breakthrough in Khmer studies. This article defines the verbal lexical complex as a unit comprised of several verbs with a unified semantic structure without formal links but connected on the semantic level. Two specific types of semantic derivation by means of lexical complexes are analyzed: polysemantic lexical complexes and lexical complexes that eliminate word ambiguity. Data from Modern Khmer, Middle Khmer and Old Khmer is used. Polysemantic lexical complex derivatives are used to characterize different aspects of one single action. Analysis presented in the article allows us to draw the conclusion that the Khmer lexical complex is a well-structured and effective nomination unit which allows the speaker to accurately, concisely and in a smart way express meanings in the amount required. Lexical complex is a language unit which has no analogues in languages of other typological profile.