DOI: 10.12731/wsd-2014-9.2-2 UDC 372
THE MODALITY OF POSSIBILITY AND IMPOSSIBILITY OF INFINITIVE CONSTRUCTIONS (ON THE MATERIAL OF RUSSIAN PROVERBS AND SAYINGS)
Khuzina E.A.
This article observes semantics of the modality of possibility and impossibility of infinitive constructions on the material of Russian proverbs and sayings. The matter is, that constructions of modal components and an infinitive can express irreal and potential actions depending on forms of mood and tense of a verb, functional type of the sentence and lexical meaning of a modal component.
Purpose and methods. In the given article the integrated approach was used. Its basis is made by the structural-semantic method which is showing in joint consideration of the formal and substantial parties of the language of Russian proverbs and sayings.
Results. Semantics of a modality of possibility and impossibility of infinitive constructions in proverbs and sayings can create various private modal meanings and shades: allowed possibility, possibility of an action with an estimation shade, potential impossibility, impossibility of an action with a meaning shade «the absence of hope for success», approval, disapproval, the recommendation, caution.
Keywords: the modality ofpossibility, the modality of impossibility, infinitive constructions, proverbs, sayings.
МОДАЛЬНОСТЬ ВОЗМОЖНОСТИ И НЕВОЗМОЖНОСТИ ИНФИНИТИВНЫХ КОНСТРУКЦИЙ (НА МАТЕРИАЛЕ РУССКИХ ПОСЛОВИЦ И ПОГОВОРОК)
Хузина Е.А.
В данной статье рассматривается семантика модальности возможности и невозможности инфинитивных конструкций на материале пословиц и поговорок русского народа. Сочетания модальных компонентов и инфинитива могут выражать ирреальное и потенциальное действия в зависимости от форм наклонения и времени глагола, функционального типа предложения и лексического значения модального компонента.
В работе использовался комплексный подход, основу которого составляет структурно-семантический метод, проявляющийся в совместном рассмотрении формальной и содержательной сторон языка пословиц и поговорок. В результате было установлено, что семантика модальности возможности и невозможности инфинитивных конструкций в пословицах и поговорках может создавать различные частные модальные значения и оттенки: допускаемая возможность, возможность действия с оттенком оценоч-ности, потенциальная невозможность, невозможность
действия с оттенком значения «отсутствия надежды на успех», одобрение, неодобрение, предписанность, рекомендация, совет, предостережение.
Ключевые слова: модальность возможности, модальность невозможности, инфинитивные конструкции, пословицы, поговорки.
The problem of modality, and also means of its realization in the language is difficult and many-sided. The modality is allocated among the main categories which represent a necessary element of the statement. Many known linguists devoted their works to researching of the category of modality. The basic provisions, defining the essence of the category of modality in the modern Russian language, are stated in V.V. Vinogradov's work: «About the category of modality and modal words». The linguist characterizes this concept: «Each sentence includes modal meaning as an essential constructive sign, i.e. comprises the indication on the relation to reality» [1, p. 38].
It is well-known, that the modality joins predicativity and it is one of the main signs of any sentence, i.e. it is actually syntactic category. Following V.V. Vinogradov's concept, we understood modality as the relation of the contents of the statement to reality (reported to its real implementation) from the point of view of the speaking. There are objective and modal meaning of reality / irreality, subjective-modal meaning of reliability / probability, predicate modality of possibility, impossibility, etc. actions marked out in linguistics.
Proverbs and sayings is a widespread genre of folklore, accom-paning people for a long time. Such means of expression as an exact rhyme, the simple form, brevity, made proverbs and sayings resistant,
remembered and necessary in everyday speech. They give clear positive and negative lines of life, claiming or criticizing, eulogizing or mocking.
Materials and methods of research
The material for this research is 150 units (proverbs and sayings), taken from the dictionary of «The proverbs of the Russian People» by V.I. Dahl. There is a debatable problem of differentiation of proverbs and sayings from phraseological units. The essence of proverbs and sayings, as language phenomena, isn't found out up to the end, thus, the presented material as the lingvo-creative phenomenon, having a huge flow of historical and cultural, lingvo-cultural information, is still actual and draws a lot of attention of researchers all over the world. In the given article the integrated approach was used. Its basis is made by the structural-semantic method which is showing in joint consideration of the formal and substantial parties of the language of Russian proverbs and sayings.
As well as any other modal meaning in the Russian language, the meaning of possibility and impossibility in proverbs and sayings can be expressed lexically - by means of special vocabulary, morphologically - by special modal words, syntactically - by special constructions.
Purpose
Within this article we will stop on constructions with an infinitive as the predicative center. It should be noted that, the category of modality of possibility, impossibility has no formal expression in an infinitive paradigm. Nevertheless, the research of proverbs and the
sayings, containing an infinitive or infinitive constructions, allows finding certain modal meanings in this verbal form. It is necessary to note, that the expression of the modal relation to the action, fulfilled by an infinitive, makes the main content of the various constructions which are formed with an infinitive.
Research results and their interpretation
Many works in linguistics are devoted to researching of the category of modality of possibility, impossibility: (V.V. Vinogradov, A.V. Bondarko, G.A. Zolotova, O.L. Kamenskaya, I.B. Khlebnikova, U.S. Stepanov, V.V. Gurevich, E.I. Belyaeva, V.V. Panfilov, N.M. Ma-kovka and and others).
Thus, under «possibility of implementation of an action» we understand its potentiality: an action will probably be carried out under any conditions, and, respectively, becomes reality, and it is also possible it won't be carried out, and, thus, remains only irrealized possibility or potentiality. Actually possibility is defined by ability or inability of the subject to this action, or conditions in which the action proceeds. Under impossibility - modal meaning of an impracticability, an action impracticability; lack of the conditions favorable for implementation of this or that action. In the sentence modal meaning of impossibility is created by various means. The basic - the existence of negative components in the sentence structure.
It is known, that on common use among the constructions expressing modal meanings of possibility and impossibility, it is possible to allocate connections with the following verbs: can, dare, be able that has already been noted by V.V. Vinogradov. The modal meaning of possibility of an action is realized as a part of sentences by means of
the following words: can, be able/manage, to be in time, to manage, be successful, to guess, to cope, to risk, to manage, to have possibility [1, p. 45]. Who is able to live in the house, he doesn't go to tell fortunes. Imperfective aspect of the verb in this proverb shows that the action expressed by this construction is represented in its current, in the process of commission, and thereby in duration or repeatability. The form of imperfective aspect of an infinitive with meaning of duration of action emphasizes its potentiality. You were able to live, be able and to die. You were able to lose, be able and to find. The use of an infinitive in these constructions in the form of perfective aspect also shows potential action, as the meaning of potentiality itself is inherent in an infinitive. The form of an imperative mood of an auxiliary verb «be able» attaches to all sentence the significance of obligation, though the meaning of possibility of fulfilling of an action here remains: to find possibility, be able, «to die, find». Telling itself doesn't carry out action, and demands its performance. The action is irreal, demanded.
In the above described examples, the construction «be able» with an infinitive has meaning of «possessing ability, be able». This verb doesn't express the action, but only informs of possibility of its performance, so, reviewing the last presented examples, we understand that: «if one managed to lose something, he should have possibility to find the lost», «the person who lives in a family peacefully and observing family traditions, he doesn't go to fortunetellers». Constructions of a verb «to be able» and an infinitive: «is able to live», «be able to die», «be able to find», express possibility caused by the situation.
The modal meaning of impossibility is connected with a number of such phenomena, as: particle «not», pronouns and adverbs with prefixes «not» and some other predicatives with a prefix «not».
T.V. Markelova marks out the following means of expression of denial: particle «not», negative pronouns: «anybody, anything, etc.», adverbs «anywhere, never, nowhere, etc.» [2, p. 47]. Why should I become reconciled with one who isn't able to quarrel. It will be done harm to those who aren't able to live the house. In these examples the form of imperfective aspect of an infinitive constructions caused impossibility of commission of action by the situation: «we won't be able to reconcile with the person who isn't able to swear since there is no reason for reconciliation, as we weren't at odds»; « if the person isn't able to live at home, in a family, by the family rules established by norms, c
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