Article

Name: On the history and origin of Russian words: karmán, karmagúl, kayók, and kayúr

Authors: Alexander E. Anikin

Institute of Philology of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Science, Novosibirsk, Russian Federation

In the section Linguistics

Abstract:

This paper represents a new contribution to a series devoted to the etymology and historical development of Russian vocabulary, primarily in the context of the ongoing work on the Russian Etymological Dictionary. The selection of material is driven by the preparation of the 21st issue of the Dictionary, which examines Russian vocabulary featuring the initial ka- in the anlaut. The publication comprises four etymological notes, each devoted to a specific word. Note (1) discusses the word karmán (pocket). While part of everyday vocabulary, it is analyzed as a problematic case regarding the potential infiltration of Biblical and liturgical terms into popular speech, suggesting a possible convergence of Church Slavonicisms and Turkisms on Slavic soil. Note (2) addresses the semantic and stylistic gap between the rare bookish noun karmakul (magic stone) and the dialectal term for a reef or underwater rock karmagúl, ultimately dismissing the likelihood of a direct transition between these lexical spheres. Note (3) focuses on the dialectal word kayók (a type of hunting staff). The author navigates the dilemma between native and borrowed origins, favoring a borrowed etymology despite the support for a Proto-Slavic origin by prominent etymologists. Finally, Note (4) examines the word kayúr (sled driver), illustrating how Russian vocabulary connects to ancient lexical links within the Siberian linguistic landscape.

Keywords: Russian Etymological Dictionary, 21st issue, bookish and popular vocabulary, borrowed and native vocabulary, Siberian linguistic landscape

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