Verbal vocabulary in Mongolian languages related to cattle breeding

In: Mir nauki: sociologija, filologija, kul'turologija : naučnyj žurnal otkrytogo dostupa = World of science : sociology, philology, cultural studies, Band 14, Heft 4

Abstract

The article examines the verbal vocabulary of the Mongolian languages related to cattle breeding. Mongolian-speaking peoples traditionally consider themselves nomadic pastoralists. In this regard, a whole layer of pastoral vocabulary has been formed in the Mongolian languages, which reflects the most diverse names associated with the economic use of livestock. The purpose of the article is to analyze the pastoral vocabulary of the Mongolian languages and determine the similarities and differences of terms in Khalkha-Mongolian, Buryat, Oirat and Kalmyk languages. The material of the written Mongolian language and the Turkic languages was used for comparative analysis. The data from various dictionaries of the Mongolian languages served as the material for the study. The analysis made it possible to identify the verbal vocabulary common to all languages and specific terms characteristic of individual languages. The material revealed lexemes with the meaning of actions reflecting the behavior, habits of cattle, various sounds made by cattle, as well as terms related to calving a cow, its milk yield. Most of the meanings of the represented lexemes in the Mongolian closely related languages coincide. But there are separate lexemes that are characterized by the presence or absence in a particular Mongolian language. As a result of the development of Mongolian languages, in some of them, lexemes under the influence of other languages have become obsolete and have ceased to be used in modern speech. In others, they have been preserved and continue to be used at the present time. This is due to the peculiarities of the development of languages, their cultural and historical conditions, and language contacts. The results of this study can contribute to further research of lexical units in comparative historical coverage.