Syntactic functions of the inessive of II infinitive in the Veps language: dynamics of development

Abstract

Introduction. The feature of the Baltic-Finnish languages is a system of infinitives and infinitive constructions. The article analyzes the syntactic roles of the inessive of the II infinitive, which according to the Baltic-Finnish syntax classification is considered an adverbial construction that characterizes the verb predicate. Materials and Methods. The analysis is performed using comparative and descriptive methods. The article uses the language dialect material and material of the Veps literary language that has been developing for 30 years, and which writing began to revive in 1989. Results and Discussion. Semantically the inessive of II infinitive has two main functions: temporal and final. The first one indicates an action that occurs at the same time with the action represented by the main finite verb. The second function indicates the purpose of the action represented by the main verb. At the same time, the final function is purely Vepsian. Conclusion. Modern Vepsian syntax is the result of development that was caused by the loss of traditional Baltic-Finnish features and taking of some significant features because of the influence of the Russian language.