ETYMOLOGY OF THE SLAVIC WORD *DЪŽDŽЬ IN THE CONTEXT OF RUSSIAN DIALECT NOMINATION
Journal Title: Мова - Year 2014, Vol 0, Issue 22
Abstract
The paper attempts to analyze ‘problematic’ (in O. N. Trubachev’s opinion) etymology of the Slavic word *dъždžь in terms of its formal and semantic typology. The cognitive motivation analysis of a large number of Russian dialect names of rain allowed us to identify the most productive nomination models for this semantic sphere. Also the analysis served as the basis for specifying the degree of credibility of various etymological versions of the Slavic word *dъždžь. Thus, it was found that the proposition/dictum motivation type is the most characteristic for this group of nominations, in which mainly actional properties are highlighted. In this respect, O. N. Trubachev’s assumption that the Slavic word dъždžь can be interpreted as «to pour in a certain way», seems quite reasonable from a typological point of view. It is because most of the actional motivators (to pour, swim, drizzle, etc.) imply semes ‘water’ and ‘to move’ in their semantic structures. As our observations showed, the nomination model ‘the smallest particles of something’ > ‘rain’ is quite productive as well. It is realized by a number of similar images/motivators: dust, ash, flour. This typological parallel allows us to recognize M. Fasmer’s and P. Ja. Chernykh’s hypothesis as possible. According to it, the Slavic word dъždžь is traced back to the Indo-European basis *dheus: *dhṷěs: *dhṷs, meaning ‘to dissipate (in the air)’, ‘to produce dust’, ‘to disperse’, ‘to rain’, ‘to swirl’. At the same time almost a complete absence of the modus type of cognitive motivation, in which general appraisal (‘good’ — ‘bad’) is highlighted in the semantic group under study, led us to a conclusion that A. Vayan’s and N. Trubetskoy’s etymology, who trace the Slavic word *dъždžь back to *dus-dius ‘ the cloudy sky, the bad weather’ seems unlikely.
Authors and Affiliations
Ludmila V. PEDCHENKO
Keywords
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