Article

Name: Comparative constructions with the semantics of equivalence in the Mansi language

Authors: Natalia B. Koshkareva, Valentina N. Solovar

Institute of Philology of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russian Federation; Ob-Ugric Institute of Applied Research and Development, Khanty-Mansiysk, Russian Federation

In the section On the 100th anniversary of the birth of Professor M. I. Cheremisina

Abstract:

Equivalence relations in the Mansi language are represented by two structural and semantic varieties: equative and similative. These varieties indicate the degree of similarity between objects or phenomena in reality, whether complete or incomplete. The difference between these constructions is determined by the specifics of a comparison parameter and how it is expressed, as well as the referential status and denotative nature of comparees. The structure of equative constructions includes a basis of comparison conveyed through parametric names of scalar type. These names describe the level of manifestation of a specific property. Similative constructions involve a comparison parameter representing a complex of undifferentiated qualitative characteristics or implied without receiving explicit expression in the phrase. In this case, the speaker reconstructs the idea of a comparison parameter based on the knowledge of the extralinguistic situation, i.e., the typical properties of objects known to all members of the language community. The distinction between equative and similative constructions also lies in the attributes of the comparees. In equative constructions, comparees typically possess a distinct subject reference, whereas, in similative constructions, an asymmetry of comparees is observed. The standard of comparison may pertain to a conceptual or event reference, and comparees may belong to different denotative classes, among other possibilities. In the Mansi language, special tools are used to express either equativity or similarity. At the same time, there are also undifferentiated means, which, depending on certain conditions, can convey one or another meaning.

Keywords: Mansi language, comparison, comparative construction, equivalence, differentiality, equative and similative type of comparative relations

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