Morphological and syntactic expression the quantity of an action and a process in different languages

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PhD student at department of Theory of Language Azerbaijan University of Languages

Morphological and syntactic expression the quantity of an action and a process in different languages

Iskandarova S.S.

The notion of quantity in actions. One of the most interesting and multilateral aspects of the category of quantity is the quantity of an action and a process. The quantity of an action and a process shows itself in different semantic shades (intensity, frequency etc.).

An action and a process can express both divisible and indivisible quantity. This quantity is expressed in verbs with the help of lexical, morphological and syntactical methods.

Quantity in different semantic meanings. One of the most interesting conception about the quantity of an action and a process is the conception which was put forward by V Dressler. V Dressler shows 4 types of aspects of actions which express the quantity of an action and a process:

Iterative action: 1) discontinuities - the repetition of an action rarely, 2) repetitive - quick repetition of an action in which the process are not felt, 3) duplicative - the repetitive action which was done by the same or different subjects, 4) reversative - an action to the backward in verbs which denote an action, 5) frequentative - an action which is repeated frequently and regularly, 6) conative - the repetation of attempts of an action, 7) alternative - the repetition of actions which happens adversely.

Distributive action: 1) distribution of a subject - different subjects do an action, 2) distribution of an object - an action is done on different objects, 3) dispersive - an action happens in different places at the same time, 4) diversative - an action of different subjects goes into different points of a place, 5) ambulative - an action touches different points of place one by one.

Continuative action: 1) usetative - an action repeated as a result of habits, 2) durative - long term action, 3) continuative - continuation of the action which began before.

Intensive action: 1) a real intensive - enhanced action, 2) at- tenuative - weakened action, 3) accelerative - fast action, 4) exagerated action - an action which is exaggerated, 5) pejorative - negatively estimated action, 6) asiverative action - an action in not suitable circumstance or an action which is done deliberately.

Dressler shows these meanings with different grammatical indications or without any grammatical indications, just in certain perception categories as time and so on.

The expression of quantity notion in different semantic meanings is very interesting from the aspect of category of quantity. But if we have a look at divided and non-divided quantity we need to specify semantic types and numbers of actions which are identified by Dressler. From the point of view of divided quantity it is necessary to note iterative and distributive actions. It is possible to divide distributive actions into 2 types: subjective distributive action and objective distributive action. Iterative action is an action which is done more than once, and it is a repeated action. It is not important to determine whether an action is done seldom or often, because the main important thing here is the fact that an action is done. That is why we will regard every repeated action as an iterative action.

There is a repetition in usetative action too. According to us usetative action is an action which is always done and it is done with certain pauses. As a result of it we may consider usetative action as a type of iterativity.

Iterative constructions denote the repetition of an action. That is why we may speak about the large number of an action. According to O. Jespersen the meaning of the large number has the same meaning with the verb itself. He writes about nexus nouns derived from the verbs: If it is possible to use the word “one walk” in the meaning of “walks”, in this case the verb “to walk” can be used to mean to walk over and over again [3, 243].

As we mentioned above we do not take into consideration the length of the intervals, whether they are long or short. In other words it is not repeated with short intervals. It can be referred to those actions which happen every day, every month, several times and a year and so on.

There are different methods to denote iterative actions among the languages of the world. In Latin the repetition is expressed by adding the suffix “ito” to the end of the verbs. For example, “can- tito” - to read fast, “ventito” to come often. O.Jespersen says that, the verbs in English ending with -er and -le have the same meanings with the verbs in Latin ending with “ito”. For example: stutler, patter, chatter [3, 243].

There are special verbs in French which denote the divisible quantity of an action. For instance, bercer - shake, batter - beat.

In arabic iterative verbs are expressed with the repetition of concrete sound combination twice. For example, zalzala, qahqaha, vasvasa. In this situation we may speak about the verb “kakala” which was mentioned by V Aslanov.

The verb “kala” had the meaning to speak in the ancient period of the Azerbaijani language. It is supposed that this verb was created with adding the verb forming suffix “la” to the syncretic verb stem :ka//k/u.

The verb “kakala” or “kaka” is used about in the speech of people who have difficulties or defect with it. We should inform that the verb “kala” has the meaning to speak in the Chuvash language.

The number of action is expressed with lexical and lexical-syntactical methods by analytical verbs in different languages. It is necessary to mark the elements showing time and place. If there is a number in the meaning of these verbs, it means that the action which they define is related with any positive quantity. In other words, the quantity of an action is connected with the quantity of time and place which are the permanent attributes of it.

We have to note that, as the iterative action is operated by any subject it needs some amount of time.

In the Turkish languages iterative action has both morphological and lexical-syntactical methods of expression.

When O. Betlink talks about the suffixes -it, -ta, -atta, -tala, -ita- la, -ala in the Shakha language he shows that these suffixes last in definite time period without stopping, repeated with small pauses, or were done by the presence of several subjects [1, 34].

The most widely used verbs to express the quantity of verbs are double verbs. In the Azerbaijani language we can set an example the verbs like “get-gal”, “gir-fix” Besides, the words which denote time and place as “hardanbir”, “orada-burada”, “arabir”, “§ahar- ba^ahar”, “iki gun bir gunorta” and others are used to express the quantity of an action. The reduplication of adverbs are also widely used, for example, “tez-tez”, “gec-gec”.

One of the widely-spread means of iterativity are past perfect tense which is not completed and present tense forms.

In most languages iterativity is mainly connected with not-com- pleted form of the verb. Actually, not-completed tense forms express the longevity or repetition of an action. word morphological expression verb

The existence of past tense form which is not completed is mentioned in Turkish language. It is also said that the future tense and some lexical identifications of past perfect tense express iterativity in the language.

Actually, present indefinite tense and past tense form which is not completed shows iterativity. Certainly, there is not any difference between present indefinite and present definite tense forms in some languages, but these notions probably exist in different meanings in these languages. This difference is easily seen in the English language, actually present indefinite and present definite or its continuous forms act quite different forms.

As present indefinite tense form shows regular, repeated, habitual action we may say that it expresses not one, but some actions.

According to O. Jespersen present is a tense form which has some kind of duration.

Our thoughts about present simple tense refer to past and future tense too. Present simple denoting repeated actions shows general truth about the nature: “The Sun rises in the east”, “The Moon goes round the Earth” [3, 303]. Everyone knows that these actions refer both to the past and future and they are expressed with present tense form. O. Jespersen sets an example about this idea: “The steamer leaves every Tuesday in winter but in summer both on Tuesdays and Fridays” [3,303].

2. Quantity in tense forms. If we look through present indefinite tense form in the Turkish language we can form some ideas about the history of its formation. Most of the present indefinite tense forms of languages are formed with present participle. B. Serebrennikov also shows that present participle suffixes such as -ar, -er, -ufi, -turgan are used in the formation of present simple tense forms in Turkish languages [7, 163-168]. It must be said that these present participles mainly indicates permanent actions. For example, one of the most ancient meanings of present participle suffixes -ar, -ir is its expression of permanent and dynamic action [2, 447].

An action becomes regular characteristic of an object when this action is repeated several times.

The repetition of an action in Turkish languages is also expressed with lexical methods. For example, the verbs “gir-fix” (en- ter,leave), “get-gal” (go, come) express several action together.

Some concepts put forward by different linguists. One kind of actions which has divided quantity is distributive action. It is an action which is done by several subjects or done on several objects. V. Xrakovski writes that the number of subjects and objects shows the number of an action [8, 17].

It is true that if there are several subjects taking part in the process of an action, or an action is done on several objects we can speak about some different actions. V. Xarovski also writes: The situation in which several actions are observed is more complicated. Here the action which done by some subjects of the same kind are observed [9, 7]. The simplest way of expression of an action which done by several subjects is the subject-verb agreement. For example, in the sentences in the Azerbaijani language “Biz galdik; siz galdiniz; onlar galdilar” the suffixes -ik, -iniz, -lar are the morphemes which show the number of doers of the action.

Koshevaya writes that the amount of process may both increase and decrease depending on the number of doers of an action [5, 92]. In the English language, it is not a coincidence that the nouns singular in form but plural in meaning demands plural predicate when they are the subject of the sentence [for example, crew, family, police etc.]. “The police are downstairs.” We can come across such situation in the ancient period of Turkish language. Facts and materials about this situation have been gathered.

O. Jespersen called the verbs having several subjects such as “swarm” “verba pluralia tantum”. The verb swarm means “to get together” [3, 243]. Such verbs are formed with the suffix -s in Turkish languages.

As we mentioned above if an action is performed by several subjects, it does not show the numerous subjects. We should also take into consideration the number of actions, for example, when we say “the birds are flying” or “the children are running” we do not only mean the same speed of the action. In this sentence every subject has its own way of doing action. That is why it is possible to speak about each action separately and to determine their separate quantity. But these actions performed separately are expressed in one verb with the suffix -§.

M. Mirzaliyeva writes that the verbs donating collectivity in the English language are formed from transitive verbs [7, 146]. It is a fact that collective verbs are formed from intransitive verbs in Azerbaijani languages, for example, “yati^maq”, “qafi^maq”, “gulu^mak”, “ufu^maq”

But in Turkish languages it is possible to observe some collective verbs which are formed from transitive verbs. M. Mirazli- yeva writes that collective verbs which are formed with the suffix -§ are performed by 2 subjects. In these verbs subjects act as each other's object, for example, “opu^mak”, “goru§mak”, “yari^maq”, “vuru^maq”, “qucaqla^maq” But collective verbs do not usually mean the existence of two subjects. The subjects of these actions may be more than two, for example, “Numayandalar bir-birilari ila goru^dular” - “The delegations met one another”.

According to Mirazliyeva the performance of an action by 2 subjects is also expressed by forms of intransitive verbs, for ex- ample, “baxi^maq”, “dayi^mak”

A subject and an object related with an action. The quantity of an object expressing subject distribution shows itself differently: a) an action refers to several objects. b) an action refers to one object. c) an action does not refer to any object.

The subject expression of quantity and mass is related with an independent actions of each subject. Lexical style is sometimes used to express such actions, for example, in the Azerbaijan language the expression of an action by several subjects is shown with the word “bir-bir”, “Qonaqlar bir-bir galdilar”

We may think that, there is no difference between to express the quantity of objects and the quantity of an action itself. Some turkologists approach the issue from this point of view. For example, they do not differ the number of objects talk about the verbs which are formed with the suffix -ala/'-ala. In this situation they do not differ number of objects on which an action is performed.

Instead of it they research the verbs as sapalamak, silkalamak, qovalamaq indicate an action performed on the same object, while the verb sapalamak shows an action which is much in quantity. Of course, in both cases we can talk about the quantity of an action. But in first case the quantity means intensity while in the second it shows the distribution of an action. Intensive action is performed only on one object. As the object of an action increases, the intensity of an action decreases. That is why it is not correct to call distributive action as an intensive action which is performed on several objects.

We can consider distributive action as the means of expression of divided action. It does not matter whether they are performed by several subjects or on several objects.

If the opposition of singular-plural is based on the objects or subjects in the quantity of objects, it is based on the quantity of situations in the process. In other words in the opposition singular and plural situations perform. If one action is equal to one situation, in this case several actions are equal to several situations. Of course, it is possible to determine the number of situation correctly. According to Xrakovsky counting situations does not differ from counting objects [8, 13].

By the way, we may say that if the quantity of action cannot be determined morphologically it is possibly to determine it by stating the number of objects, subjects.

Indiscrete quantity of an action has intensity and long duration. It is not possible to determine separate phases of indiscrete action. Because there is no pause among these phases, and an action lasts without any stop. The quantity of intensive actions is related with the number of these actions. But the quantity of process actions is connected with the duration of an action.

There are verbs denoting process without any morphological indications. For example, “yazmaq”, “yatmaq”, “oxumaq”, in the Azerbaijani language. The procession of an action in these languages is also expressed with the verbs like “yatirdi”, “gedirdi”.

Like in other languages indiscrete action can be expressed with present definite tense form in Turkish languages. Serebrennikov notes that there has always been a tendency in Turkish languages to make forms of indication of present definite tense forms. This tendency was felt among Turkish people living in central Asia and Siberia [8, 170].

Indiscrete action is also expressed in Turkish languages with lexical and lexical-syntactical means. For example, in the Azerbaijani language the verbs “yanib-yaxilmaq”, “зalib-зagir- maq”, “deyib-gьlmak” show intensity of process of an action.

In the end we have to say that the duration or intensity of an action defines its amount.

References

1. Betlink O. About the languages of the Yakuts / O. Betlink. - Novosibirsk: 1989. - 646 p,

2. Comparative-historical grammar of Turkic languages. Morphology. - M. : 1988. - 560 p.

3. Jespersen O. Philosophy of grammar / O. Jespersen. - M., 1978. - 372 p.

4. Ishxakova X., Nasilov D., Rassadin V. Expression of plurality of situations in Turkic languages / X. Ishxakova, D. Nasilov, V. Rassadin // Typology of iterative constructions. - L.: 1989. - 180 p.

5. Koshevaya I. Levels of language abstraction / I. Koshevaya. - Kiev: Publishing house of Kiev University, 1973. - 209 p.

6. Mirzalieva M. Historical and comparative lexicology of Turkic languages. I volume / M. Mirzalieva. - Baki: 2004.

7. Mirzalieva M. The theoretical problems of the phraseology of Turkish language / M. Mirzalieva. - Baki: Azerbaijan encyclopedia, 1995. - 146 p.

8. Serebrennikov B., Qadjieva N. Comparative-historical grammar of the Turkic languages / B. Serebrennikov, N. Qadjieva. - Baki, 1979. - 284 p.

9. Xalilov S., Mamedov N. Public language and literary norm / S. Xalilov, N. Mamedov // Soviet Turkology. -1988. - № 6. - PP. 23-29.

10. Xrakovski V. Semantic types of the set of situations and their natural classification / V. Xrakovski // Typology of iterative constructions. - L.: 1989. -127 p.

Summary

This article deals with the quantity of an action and a process. Here we spoke about the duration and intensity of an action. They are expressed both with syntactical and morphological ways of expressions. In this article we mentioned that there are some verbs which denote a process without any morphological indications. The quantity of the verbs in English and Turkish languages which denote a process depends on the length of the process. We tried to prove that the duration and intensity of an action define its amount. It is expressed differently in the English and Turkish languages.

Key words: number, syntactic and morphological means of expression of movement and process, Turkic languages, English, comparative analysis

У статті розглядаються порівняльні характеристики способів вираження руху і процесу в тюркських та англійській мовах. У зазначених мовах є як морфологічні, так і синтаксичні засоби вираження. Виділено групу слів, які відтворюють процес без використання будь-якого морфологічного вираження. В англійській і групі тюркських мов дієслова, які виражають процес, залежать від тривалості цього процесу. Зроблено спробу довести, що тривалість і швидкість руху визначається кількістю цього руху. Разом із тим в англійській і, наприклад, азербайджанській мовах це проявляється по-різному.

Ключові слова: кількість, синтаксичні та морфологічні засоби вираження руху і процесу, тюркські мови, англійська мова, порівняльний аналіз.

В статье рассматриваются сравнительные характеристики способов выражения движения и процесса в тюркских и английском языках. В указанных языках имеются как морфологические, так и синтаксические средства выражения. Выделена группа слов, которые выражают процесс без использования какого-либо морфологического выражения. В английском и группе тюркских языков глаголы, выражающие процесс, ставятся в зависимость от протяженности этого процесса. Сделана попытка доказать, что длительность и скорость движения определяются количеством этого движения. Вместе с тем в английском и, к примеру, азербайджанском языках это проявляет себя по-разному.

Ключевые слова: количество, синтаксические и морфологические средства выражения движения и процесса, тюркские языки, английский язык, сравнительный анализ.

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