Yakut Language Research Articles

SEMANTIC SPACE OF THE PHYTOPHORIC NAME SARDAANA: MOTIVATING FEATURES

The purpose of this study is to identify and describe the semantics of the female name Sardaana in the Yakut language. The premise of the study was that the existing dictionaries of Yakut names do not give the whole story of this name. The lack of research in the cultural and historical context caused the formation of a kind of a hole in identifying the etymology of the name. The linguistic gap not only lies in establishing the motivating features of the anthroponym itself, but also in the appellative of the name. A selection of dialectal synonyms of the phytonym sardaana was made from dialectological dictionaries of the Yakut language. It was discovered that the plant's habitat mainly coincides with the Olekma-Viliuy dialect zone of the Yakut language, which is quite consistent with the plant's growing area. However, it was noted that in dialectal phytonyms, the emphasis is made not on the flower of the plant, but on its edible tuber. The anthroponym Sardaana is a relatively new name, since its presence has not been identified in folklore texts, including the olonkho epic. In all likelihood, If we take as a basis the memoirs of the bearer of the name Sardaana, the folklorist Sardaana Platonovna Oyunskaya (1934-2007), the name appeared in the 30s of the twentieth century. To clarify the motivating features of the personal name, homonymous lexical units related to military vocabulary were used: the names of arrowheads sardaan okh, sardaana okh, which, in all likelihood, project the shape of the sardaana flower. However, these lexemes do not reveal the full picture of the personal name. Identical names have not been identified in Turkic and Mongolian anthroponymicons, thus we come to the conclusion that the name Sardaana like the phytonym sardaana is a product of the isolated development of the Yakut language. Thus, the main motivating feature of the name Sardaana is the symbolic image of the phytonym sardaana ʻlilyʼ, compared with the concept of feminine beauty and tenderness.

Russian regional television: formation and development of the national TV channel “Sakha”

RELEVANCE. The study examined the processes of formation and development of the national television channel “Sakha” (broadcasting territory – the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia)). Based on materials from regulatory documents and publications in periodicals, the author systematizes the creation and functioning of a national regional television channel. The chronological scope of the study (from 2002 to 2012) is determined by the following factors: 2002 – the opening of the republican television broadcasting channel in the region, 2012 – the beginning of the formation of a new infrastructure of Russian television in connection with the transition to digital broadcasting. Purpose of the study: to analyze and record the stages of formation of the national television channel in Yakutia in the period from creation to the transition to digital broadcasting.MATERIALS AND METHODS. The empirical base of the study consists of periodicals stored in the National Library of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) named after A.S. Pushkin, which reflect the events of the period under study, as well as materials from regulatory documents. The study used comparative historical analysis and a systematic method.RESULT AND DISCUSSION. The analysis made it possible to reveal that the state policy of the region actively contributed to the development of regional television of the period under study by updating and expanding its material and technical base, which led to an improvement in indicators at various levels - an increase in broadcasting volumes, an increase in the number of television programs in the Yakut language, as well as the creation of a fundamentally different from the post-Soviet model of the TV channel concept.CONCLUSION. The results of the study may be useful for further study of the history of television in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) in the context of the overall development of the modern media system of the region and the country as a whole.

Sakha Language in a Northern Industrial Monotown: Linguistic Distribution in Speech Repertoire of Sakha People

This study explores the functioning of the Yakut language in the conditions of the northern industrial monotown Mirny (Republic of Sakha (Yakutia)). The study identifies the features of linguistic distribution in the speech repertoire of ethnic Sakha based on data from a sociolinguistic survey and interviews (n=279). Descriptive statistical methods and content analysis are employed. The results reveal an asymmetric nature of Yakut-Russian bilingualism with Russian language predominance in public communication. While Sakha individuals exhibit a high level of language competence in the Yakut language, its application is limited. In familial and friendly communication, the Yakut language maintains significant positions; however, its demand is minimal in the professional-business sphere, especially in industry. Among individuals with higher education, the percentage of Russian speakers at work reaches 68.34% compared to 55.77% among those with only secondary vocational education. Russian language dominates in management, service sectors, and law enforcement (75—100%). Only in fields such as healthcare, education, and culture does the Yakut language maintain strong positions. The native language is primarily perceived by Sakha as a symbolic marker of identity, yielding to Russian in social prestige and communicative power. The vitality prospects of the Yakut language in the city are assessed ambiguously and are linked to the effectiveness of language policy in key institutional contexts (education, media, government).

On the functioning of the Law «On Languages in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia)» in the city of Yakutsk (based on the results of the questionnaire on Articles 19-23, 33)

In modern times, the functioning of languages in public space requires state regulation, the main goal of which should be the preservation and development of multilingualism and support of minority languages. The national politics in the field of preservation and development of the languages of the peoples of the Russian Federation is based on the implementation of a number of measures at the legislative level. Russia adopted the Law “On the Languages of the Peoples of the Russian Federation”; its national republics have their own laws on languages regulating the functioning of languages on their territory. In Yakutia, on October 16, 1992, Law of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) No. 1170-XII “On languages in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia)” was adopted, a study on the implementation of which became one of the projects of the state program of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) “Preservation and development of state and official languages in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) for 2023.” The project “Monitoring the implementation and compliance with the requirements of articles of the Law on Languages in Yakutsk of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia)” was proposed by the Department of Stylistics of the Yakut Language and Russian-Yakut Translation of the Institute of Languages and Culture of the North-East of the Russian Federation of the M.K. Ammosov North-Eastern Federal University. In order to implement the project, the department’s team developed a questionnaire on the articles of the Law “On Languages in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia)” for two target audiences: specialists from organizations to whose work the articles of the Law are directly related, and the population. The purpose of the proposed work is to analyze the results of a survey conducted on articles 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 33 among specialists of organizations and the population of the city of Yakutsk. The study used statistical and descriptive methods, as well as data processing and analysis methods. The results of the study are structured as follows: first, the full text of the considered article of the Law “On Languages in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia)” is presented, then an analysis of a survey among employees of the institution and the results of a survey among the population are presented, followed by recommendations for the implementation of the article of the Law.

Translations of portrait characteristics of the heroes of V.G. Korolenko's Siberian short stories into the Yakut language

The object of the study is the Siberian stories of V.G. Korolenko. The subject of the study is the portrait characteristics of the heroes of V.G. Korolenko's Siberian short stories. The material for the study was the portrait characteristics of the heroes of V.G. Korolenko's Siberian short stories translated by N.E. Mordinov-Amma Achchygyya. His stories are rich material for research, since in them the portrait characteristics of the characters are presented very figuratively, using various expressive means (metaphors, comparisons, personifications, metonymies, hyperboles). The short stories "Makar's Dream", "Marusina Zaimka", "At-Davan" from the Yakut cycle of Siberian short stories were chosen for the study. The theoretical basis for the research is the works of G.N. Pospelov, A.B. Esin, L.S. Kulik, O.I. Ivanova, K.I. Platonova, I.S. Yemelyanov and others. The purpose of this work is to identify the features of the translation of portrait characteristics in the translation of Korolenko's literary texts from Russian into Yakut. The purpose of the work identified the following tasks: 1) to analyze the concept of "portrait characteristics"; 2) to make a solid selection of portrait characteristics from Siberian stories; 3) to consider the features of the translation of portrait characteristics when translated into the Yakut language. Descriptive and comparative methods were used to solve the research tasks. The material was collected using a continuous sampling method. The relevance of this study is due to the lack of scientific works in Yakut literary studies on the comprehensive study of portrait characteristics when translated into the Yakut language. The scientific novelty of the work lies in the fact that in modern literary criticism, the transfer of portrait characteristics in the translation of literary texts remains still unexplored. The theoretical significance of the study lies in the fact that it reveals for the first time the features of portrait characteristics when translated into the Yakut language. The practical significance of the research lies in the possibility of using its results in the analysis of other similar works and their translations. Also, the research materials can be used in universities of the humanities in the creation of textbooks, textbooks on translation practice for students of the philological department.

Language attitudes: sociolinguistic aspect

Language attitudes are pivotal in shaping spheres of language use, impacting language change and policy. They reflect how communities perceive and value languages, influencing language choice, education, and social interactions. Studies on language attitudes explore preferences in language instruction, societal perceptions, and the potential for language discrimination. Positive attitudes can elevate language prestige, while negative ones may contribute to language decline. Loyalty to a language or a variety can resist influences from a dominant language, especially if a minority language prestige is high. The article comprises reviews on ‘language attitudes’ as a term, an overview of the history of research on the perceptions of a language, analysis of related changes occurring among speakers. The objective of the article is to provide a forecast for the future fate of Karelian, Kalmyk, and Yakut languages by analyzing language attitudes. The focus of the study was on the perceptions of a language held by members of a speech community, i.e., those who have no command of the studied language, as these perceptions were deemed highly significant. When the overall sentiment toward a language is positive, and speech community members recognize the importance of having at least a basic proficiency in it, the prospects for the language's growth appear promising. Such favorable attitudes may lead speech community members to actively encourage language study among their children or grandchildren or even decide to learn the language themselves later in life, creating a potentially fertile environment for a language to flourish.

НАРОДНЫЕ НАЗВАНИЯ ЖИВОТНЫХ И РАСТЕНИЙ В ЯКУТСКОМ ЯЗЫКЕ, ОБРАЗОВАННЫЕ ПО ПРИЗНАКУ «СВЯЗЬ С МИФОЛОГИЧЕСКИМИ ОБРАЗАМИ, ПОВЕРЬЯМИ И ТОТЕМИЗМОМ»

This article is devoted to the study of folk names of animals and plants in the Yakut language, formed on the basis of “connection with mythological images, beliefs and totemism”. The study uses descriptive analysis to identify the connection between language and culture and the main patterns of motivational features of the nomination of wildlife objects; component analysis aimed at considering the formal semantic structure of zoonyms and phytonyms to determine the role of their use. The research material was extracted by continuous sampling from the database of Yakut phytonyms and zoonyms, created over the course of about ten years as part of the preparation of a dissertation on the topic “Vocabulary of wildlife in the Yakut language: onomasiology and etymology”. The database is based on a large amount of linguistic material from various sources: explanatory and dialectal dictionaries, biological books, field definitions with reference material, archival documents, folklore and ethnographic materials. The purpose of this article is to show the dependence of the nomination, use and semiotic status of wildlife objects on their signs and properties. The tokens associated with traditional beliefs and legends have bright markings that reveal the peculiarities of the culture and worldview of the Sakha people. The study found that the names of mythological creatures are used in the composition of complex phytonyms and zoonyms: abaahy (demon), tangara (deity), kut (soul), oyuun (shaman), etc. The images of mythological creatures abaahy “demon, evil spirit” and tangara “deity” are used to denote the negative and positive properties of plants and animal signs: abaahy “demon, evil spirit” in plants expresses venom, in animals – ugliness; tangara “deity” in plants – benefit and beauty, in animals – deification and totemism; it is curious that the kut lexeme “soul” (mainly referring in these nominations to cattle and large wild ungulates) is used in the nomination of beetles and their larvae (in which the mandibles are the most striking morphological feature – apparently a parallel to the horns).

Mongolian components in Yakut phraseological phrases characterising a person (comparative aspect)

From the card index “Phraseologisms characterising a human being in Yakut and Turkic languages of South Siberia, Turkish and Kazakh” compiled by the author, 75 lexeme-mongolisms in the Yakut language were identified. This article is the first special study of these lexemes-mongolisms, which are part of Yakut phraseologisms (somatisms; lexemes denoting objects of material culture). The aim of this study is to identify the area of distribution of Mongolisms included in Yakut phraseological phrases, to establish phraseological parallels in other Turkic languages, to determine the motivational bases of phraseological phrases characterising human beings. Thus, to make a certain contribution to the clarification of the problem of Yakut-Mongolian contacts. The value of phraseologisms lies in the fact that remaining unchanged, they preserve national identity and reflect the characteristic features of the historical epoch in which they originated. The study of Mongolisms in the Yakut language is based on the scientific works of E.I. Ubryatova, S. Kaluzhinsky, V.I. Rassadin, N.N. Shirobokova, N.K. Antonov, G.G. Levin, A.E. Shamaeva and others. As a result of the study, it was established that: Mongolisms included in Yakut phraseologisms can be subdivided into the following types - a) Mongolisms borrowed by the Turkic-speaking ancestors of the Yakuts back in the times when they lived in the “southern” ancestral homeland; b) Mongolisms previously acquired in the “southern” ancestral homeland as part of the Turkic Kypchak component; c) Mongolisms that penetrated already in geographically separated groups of Turkic languages from certain Mongolian languages; d) Mongolisms acquired through an “unknown” Middle Mongolian source language and/or Buryat language. The overwhelming majority of the considered Yakut phraseologisms with Mongolian components do not find parallels in the Turkic languages, which confirms the thesis that the formation of these phraseologisms took place in the process of their development under conditions of non-contact with the Turkic languages of South Siberia. The prospects of the study are seen in further reconstruction of the phraseological fund of the Yakut language in order to make a significant contribution to the solution of the problem of Yakut-Mongolian contacts.

Izafet as a Means of Expressing the Functional-Semantic Category of Measure in the Yakut Language

The current paper is the first to consider possessive (one-suffix) phrases in the functional-semantic aspect, designating spatial measures (level, distance, length, size, time, etc.) in Yakut. In the Yakut and Turkic linguistics, the study of the category of belonging, namely, isafet, has a long history. But possessive constructions based on the isafet have not been presented until now as a means of expressing the functional-semantic category of measure. The purpose of the article is to identify and analyse the structural and semantic features of possessive constructions expressing measure in the Yakut language. To achieve this goal, we considered the history of the study of possessive constructions in Turkic and Yakut linguistics and analyzed the structure and semantics of constructions to determine the carrier of quantitative semes in each construction. The object of the study is the determinative phrases (isafet) formed morphologically, namely with the help of the affix of the 3rd person singular -a (-e, -o, -o), -ta (-te, -to, -to). The main methods used in the study were systematization, analysis of syntactic units, morphemic description (glossing) of a lexical unit, descriptive method and semantic analysis to identify the functions of possessive constructions. As a result of the systematization in terms of functional grammar, three main groups have been identified: possessive constructions with special lexemes for measurement – classifiers, comparative postpositions saҕa, kurduk’, as if with the affix of the instrumental case -nan, also the affix of the dative case -ar, -gar. The classifier in the isafet is an indicator that allows us to more clearly express parametric data in the language. Phrases with postpositional-case components express intersubject relations “the subject and its part”, with the affix of the dative case – locative relations. With the help of functional and semantic studies of language or speech, we penetrate into the national system of language behavior, a specific worldview and thinking process of the people.

Existential constructions in the Yakut language: a model of causation of the beginning of existence

The article is devoted to the study of models of existential constructions in the Yakut language. It examines the causation model of the beginning of existence in accordance with the principles of functional and semantic analysis. The relevance of this article is due to modern approaches in the study of the Yakut language as a system represented by multi-level means of its expression. The sentence as the main syntactic unit is displayed in a model that "combines the invariants of the minimal structural schemes that ensure the completeness of the sentence, and the generalized propositions associated with them." The structural scheme of the causation model of the beginning of existence in the Yakut language consists of a subject, an object and a predicate of an existential type expressed by verbs of the initial phase of being, existence. The typical meaning of the model is "to give the beginning to any event, phenomenon, contribute to the appearance, emergence of someone or something." The basis of this study is a functional-semantic approach to the study of language phenomena, which assumes a holistic organization of universal semantic categories. The study uses the continuous sampling method in the formation of material from lexicographic sources, the modeling method, and the glossing method to represent illustrative material. The presentation of the causation model of the beginning of existence as a component of the functional and semantic field of being in the Yakut language is new. It is revealed that the subject and object of the considered model can be stated by a noun, a pronoun, denoting an animate or inanimate person. In accordance with the forms of the subject and object included in the structural composition of the specified model, variants of its structural type are determined. It is established that in this model, such verbs of being as tөrүtte ‛to found, create something; to start something, olohtoo ‛ to inhabit, settle, infuse; can be used as a predicate, to establish; justify’, saҕalaa‛to start any action; to begin’, tөrөt‛to give birth.

Глаголы, репрезентирующие концепт «радость» в якутском языке (на материале текстов олонхо)

The paper examines Yakut verbs in the verbalization of the concept “joy” in order to identify features of the use of these verbs in the actualization of the concept and to identify characteristic ways of perception of the language picture of the world of Yakut speakers, as linguistic representations of the concept “joy” in the Yakut language have not been studied enough. There are used the method of component analysis to study dictionary definitions of the lexeme; the method of continuous sampling to collect examples from the epic texts; the method of contextual analysis, which provides an opportunity to identify different meanings of the features of representation of the studied concept in the context of epic texts. As a result, based on the considered olonkho texts, we can say that in the Yakut language the concept “joy” is represented by the verbs üör “to rejoice”, uör-köt “to rejoice, to exult”, kül “to laugh, to rejoice”, kül-оonnyоo “to rejoice, to have fun, to joke”, körülee “to have fun, to play, to frolic for fun and for your pleasure”, oonnyoo-körulee “to make merry, to amuse oneself”, kötüölee-körülee “to make merry, to frolic”, körülee-narylaa “to have fun, to make merry with the heart”, michiy “to shine, to shine with a silent smile”, michiliy “to shine with a smile, to radiate joy”, ymay “to smile, grin, to spread in a smile”, which are included in one lexical-semantic field “joy”. The emotion of joy appears in the texts of the olonkho in actions when the heroes learn long-awaited news, in descriptions of happy moments in the life of the heroes, from the seen or heard deeds of the heroes. In addition, when a feeling of joy appears, it is accompanied by such phenomena as laughter, smile, pleasure, light, fun, good humour, play, flight, amusement. The use of these verbs adds figurativeness, expressiveness and colourfulness in the epic texts, the application of verbs, depending on the circumstances and in relation to certain characters, in our opinion, shows the national particularity of perception of the Yakut language world picture.

Linguistic features of spontaneous speech of the Anabar Dolgans (On the material of the expedition work)

The current functioning of the Yakut language and the languages spoken by the indigenous peoples in the North of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) is under extensive scrutiny from various researchers. This interest stems from the fact that numerous languages of the northern and arctic territories are on the verge of becoming extinct owing to the impact of several anthropogenic factors. The article aims to identify linguistic characteristics of live speech amongst residents of the Yuryung-Khainsky Rural Okrug of the Anabarsky District. These speech patterns were recorded during the 2021 fieldwork conducted as part of the “Preservation of linguistic and cultural diversity and sustainable development of the Arctic and Subarctic of the Russian Federation” project (Agreement № 075-15-2021-616 from 07.06.2021). The spontaneous speech of five respondents, residents of the study area, was analysed. When analysing the empirical data, a range of methodologies was employed, including sociolinguistic and descriptive methods, as well as structural, quantitative and statistical analysis. Upon analysing the linguistic material, it has been determined that the language of the Anabar Dolgans is comprised mainly of words of Yakut origin. Additionally, the respondents also utilise Dolgan vocabulary and words of foreign origin, such as Russisms and Evenkisms. Despite the influence of various languages, several words used by Anabar Dolgan speakers have retained their original semantic meaning, identical to those in the Yakut language. However, the extensive usage of Russian in educational, administrative, and industrial domains has resulted in a high level of incorporation of Russisms in respondents' speech, without proper adaptation to Yakut and Dolgan language norms. The Anabar Dolgan language presents an excellent illustration of linguistic synthesis and cultural convergence among northern peoples and holds significant linguistic and cultural value. Ongoing linguistic transformations occurring within the Yuryung-Khainsky Rural Okrug pose a distinctive situation that calls for in-depth examination of the language through theoretical and empirical approaches.

Анатомическая лексика в якутской оронимии

The article focuses on orographic appellatives and oronyms derived from anatomical terms in the Yakut language through metaphorization. Given that the Yakut oronymy is endangered due to several sociolinguistic and socio-economic reasons, collecting, systematizing, studying, and preserving this specific layer of the Yakut toponymic lexicon in linguistic databases is relevant. We have identified more than 80 anatomical terms that contributed to the Yakut oronymy development. We divided the Yakut anatomical vocabulary used as orographic appellatives into two groups: 1) lexemes denoting the external parts of human and animal bodies and 2) lexemes denoting the internal organs of humans and animals. The comparative analysis covered the following anatomical terms: atax ‘leg’, bas ‘head’, sürex ‘heart’, tumus ‘nose; beak’, kulgaax ‘ear’, töbö ‘head’, meyii ‘brain’, emiy ‘udder’. The comparison has demonstrated a substantial similarity in the anatomical vocabulary used as orographic appellatives in the Turkic languages. However, some Turkic languages feature divergence in terms of content, possibly resulting from the influence of contact languages (related and unrelated). The abundance and variety of metaphorical anatomical terms in different Turkic languages may also be due to the physical and geographical features of the terrain on which they function. Given the above, the anatomical vocabulary can be considered an additional source for understanding the formation patterns and features of the Turkic-Mongolian geographical vocabulary of Siberia.

Language Distribution in Sakha Family Communication: Traditions and Innovations

The article explores the issue of language reproduction in family communication among the Yakut people in the context of transformational tendencies in the development of urban families during the industrialization era. Using a multidisciplinary approach and sociolinguistic surveys conducted in 2007, 2014, and 2021, the study aims to identify dynamic changes in the functioning of the native (ethnic) language in family communication among rural and urban Yakut people. The results show that the ethnic function of the Yakut language is relevant only for half of urban Yakut families (52.1%) and 89.2% of rural Yakut families. In the context of general social transformation of the family institution, the main findings indicate a reduction in the volume of communication with children in everyday communication, a decrease in intergenerational family communication space on the ethnic language (grandmothers communicating with grandchildren), and a slight increase in parental communication with children. The social function of the ethnic language in rural family communication remains stable due to relative mono-ethnicity and geographical remoteness, but the introduction of digitization into everyday language use leads to cases of younger children switching to another language.

Current Linguistic Situation in Village of Sebyan-Kyuyol in Kobyai District of Republic of Sakha (Yakutia)

This paper examines the linguistic situation in the village of Sebyan-Kyuyol in the Kobyai district of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), where the Lamunkhin Even people, one of the indigenous minority groups of the North, reside. The focus is on the structural and substantive characteristics of the linguistic situation. Data was obtained through participant observation and sociolinguistic surveys among 81 respondents from various age, gender, and social groups of the Even community. Using a comprehensive approach that includes linguistic and social aspects, the distribution and functions of Even, Russian, and Yakut languages in different spheres of communication are analyzed. It is shown that the linguistic situation is three-component, with the Even language being dominant but facing some challenges from Russian and Yakut languages in certain spheres, as well as among the younger generation who show less interest in their native language. Factors influencing the viability and maintenance of the Even language are identified. Problems and prospects for its development are revealed. It is established that the linguistic situation in Sebyan-Kyuyol village is relatively favorable and stable, but requires constant attention and support from the government and community.

Lexical Representation of Olfactory Semiotics in Worldview of Yakut Language

The article is devoted to the exploration of additional semiotic meanings developed by olfactory perceptual lexicon in the Yakut language. The study analyzes lexicographic data on the vocabulary of olfactory perception, as well as the mechanisms of creating a cognitive-semiotic space of a text using this lexicon based on N. A. Lugynov’s work “Ulatyy keme” (“Time of Change”). Smell is consider ed by the authors as a cognitive-linguistic category, representing in the Yakut language not only the physiological aspect of sensory interaction with the world, but also a broad linguistic and cultural context that expresses the sign function of social, everyday, aesthetic, etc. status. The data from translating and explanatory dictionaries of the Yakut language were processed using classical methods of analyzing dictionary definitions, taking into account the elements of distribution of the studied lexical units. As a result of the study, it was established that the perceptual lexicon of olfactory perception, which allows describing smells as signs-indexes in the system of the Yakut language, implements an additional cognitivesemiotic function of signs-symbols in artistic discourse, revealing the internal state of a person, their socio-domestic relationships in society, attitude towards moral and ethical values and life.

Unadapted Foreign Language Insertions in Spoken Language of Tundra Yukaghir

The foreign language insertions in the language of the tundra Yukagirs-polyglots of the Lower Kolyma in Yakutia are considered for the first time. The relevance of the study is primarily dictated by the lack of research on contact phenomena in the Yukagir language as a whole, the decreasing number of speakers, and the importance of documenting this ancient language of Northeast Siberia. The goal of the study is to identify the functioning features of insertions in the modern spoken language of the tundra Yukagirs. The material consists of recordings of oral speech by Yukagirs in the form of polylogue, dialogue, and monologue, fragments of transcripts of which are introduced into scientific circulation for the first time. The analysis shows that insertions in Yukagir speech are realized through Yakut and Russian insertions, originating from various parts of speech of the guest languages. The author concludes the relevance of the Yakut language as the second language after the ethnic one, due to the higher frequency of Yakut elements in Yakut speech compared to Russian ones. It has been established that insertions are marked by empty and filled pauses, vocal, lexical-semantic, and paralinguistic hesitations. It is noted that the creative function is realized through the manner of using insertions by individual Yukagir polyglots in their speech.

Экспедиционная деятельность А. С. Луковцева по исследовательской работе «Термины охоты и рыболовства якутского языка»

The aim of the study is to identify the terminological potential of the Yakut lexical units selected from unpublished materials resulting from the expeditionary activity of A. S. Lukovtsev, a junior research fellow at the Lexicology and Lexicography Sector of the Institute of Language, Literature and History of the Yakut subsidiary of the Siberian branch of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR in the 1970s. The paper examines the Yakut lexical units belonging to the sphere of hunting and fishing extracted from archival materials to ascertain whether they can be used in the creation of specialized dictionaries. The study is novel in that it is the first to determine the terminological suitability and potential of using the Yakut lexical units belonging to the sphere of hunting and fishing identified by A. S. Lukovtsev. The results have shown that the vocabulary selected from the materials considered is a valuable resource for the development of the terminology of the Sakha language, especially in the sphere of hunting and fishing. The use of the selected lexical units in the compilation of a terminological dictionary of hunting and fishing of the Yakut language will make it possible to convey the specifics of these types of activities within the framework of the culture and traditions of the Sakha people more accurately and to a fuller extent.

Concept of the Moon in the Yakut Language World View

The article defines the concept of the moon in the traditional Yakut world view at the levels of language, myth and ritual. It is common knowledge that the Yakuts are the northernmost Turks who have largely preserved the mental representations of the Southern Siberia Turks’ ethnocultural heritage. National world view features in the nominations of the concept moon related to space and time cultural paradigm, representing the mythopoetic picture of the world, have been established. The archaic features of this concept, set phrases, and oral folk art have been considered. The relevance of this research lies in the conceptualization of the verbal culture of the Sakha people. The purpose of the article is to identify linguistic and cultural features of the concept moon in the Yakut language world view. The article uses a cognitive approach, contextual and syntagmatic analysis of word connection as well as the method of conceptual analysis. The cosmological representation of the Universe among the Yakuts is given through the archaic metaphor of a leather vessel with numerical and spatial symbols. The moon is projected in conjunction with the sun as a trace of an early form of deity worship. It has an ambivalent function that affects the fate that generates birth/death. In connection with this understanding, various verbal and non-verbal ritual actions have arisen. The space and time paradigm in the oral tradition has given rise to various names for the calculus of time. In analyzing the nominative field of the concept moon, its universal and national components have been revealed. Among the lexical units that form the concept moon in the Sakha language, one can distinguish riddles that emphasize the roundness of its shape, symbolizing the cyclicity of life – the idea of eternal birth. It has such basic signs as large/pale/white/moving, the somatic code of which is manifested in the symbolic use of the eye. When comparing fairy tales, similar and distinctive motifs associated with the image of the girl on the moon have been revealed.

Processes of Lexical Archaiza-tion and Neologization in Modern Yakut Language

The process of redistribution between the active and passive vocabulary of modern Yakut language is being examined. The reasons for the archaization of vocabulary are identified, outdated words are classified by type and lexical-semantic groups, and a layer of lexical innovations is also identified. The material for the study consisted of lexical units from literary works, periodicals, and Yakut language dictionaries. The scientific novelty of the study lies in the comprehensive examination and classification of layers of outdated vocabulary, neologisms, and de-archaized Yakut language vocabulary. The distribution of Yakut language archaisms into 14 lexical-semantic groups has been carried out. It has been proven that neologisms arise in the Yakut language through changes in the meaning of existing words, through the infusion of other language stocks, and through the activation of derivation processes based on their own means. It has been revealed that the process of de-archaization in the Yakut language is associated with the revival of traditional foundations of material and spiritual culture of the Yakuts. The results of the study confirm the systemic nature of changes in the lexical composition of the language, as well as their interrelation between phenomena of archaization, de-archaization, and neologization.