Russian Emotive Verbs in the Semantic Classification of Predicates

Abstract

The present research features predicates expressed by Russian reflexive emotive verbs. The paper focuses on statements containing reflexive emotive verbs and their convertible correlates, e.g. volnovatsia – volnovat, trevozhitsia – trevozhit, serditsia – serdit, etc. The research objective was to determine the place of these pairs of emotive verbs in the semantic classification of predicates of the Russian language. The author used the method of semantic testing for localization / non-localization on time axis and controllability / non-controllability. The method made it possible to assign these predicates to a particular class, as well as to reveal in their semantic structure a derived value that has not been fixed by explanatory dictionaries. As a result, the predicates were split into two semantic classes, i.e. properties and states. The division was confirmed by semantic tests for localization / non-localization on time axis and controllability / non-controllability. According to the tests, the predicates expressed by the convergent pairs of emotive verbs were included in the group of state predicates, due to their localization on the time axis. The semantic sign of uncontrollability was inherent in the studied predicates of the state in their emotive meaning. Acquisition by these predicates of the meaning "purposeful activity", "imitation of an emotional state", "opportunity, duty", and, accordingly, the sign of controllability made it possible to classify them as a group of activity predicates.