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Metaphors for Time in Russian

Metaphors for Time in Russian. Laura A. Janda University of Troms ø laura.janda@uit.no http://hum.uit.no/lajanda/. This talk has two parts:. Part 1: Physical objects in space > events in time Aspect in Russian Part 2: Overlapping meanings > illusion of emptiness RAZ- ‘apart’.

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Metaphors for Time in Russian

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  1. Metaphors for Time in Russian Laura A. Janda University of Tromsø laura.janda@uit.no http://hum.uit.no/lajanda/

  2. This talk has two parts: • Part 1: • Physical objects in space > events in time • Aspect in Russian • Part 2: • Overlapping meanings > illusion of emptiness • RAZ- ‘apart’

  3. Main Idea of Part 1 • Physical matter provides the source domain for the metaphor that motivates aspect in Russian • PERFECTIVE IS A DISCRETE SOLID OBJECT vs. IMPERFECTIVE IS A FLUID SUBSTANCE

  4. Russian Aspect: • All verbs (and all forms of all verbs) are either • Perfective --or-- • Imperfective • Russian aspect has a complex and seemingly incoherent array of uses

  5. Discrete Solid Object: Fluid substance: The Two Types of Matter

  6. Perfective: Has edges 1) Imperfective Has no edges 2) A. Edges

  7. Perfective Can have various shapes 3), 4), 5) Imperfective Has no shape but can spread 6), 7), 8), 9) B. Shape

  8. Perfective: A unique occurrence 10) Imperfective: Continuous processes and repetitions 11), 12) C. Integrity

  9. Perfective: Quantified 13), 14) Imperfective: Not inherently quantified, can fill 15), 16), 17) D. Countability

  10. Perfective: Gestalt 18) Imperfective: Gradual accumulation 19), determined motion verbs E. Streamability

  11. Perfective: Imperfective: Internal descriptions 20) F. Penetrability

  12. Perfective: –ну- singularization, packaging (23) Imperfective: pulverization & piling of repetition 21), 22) G. Conversions

  13. Main idea of Part 2 • Prefixes are used to convert Imperfective > Perfective • In some uses, prefixes are considered to have meaning, in others they are considered “empty” • In “empty” uses, meanings of prefix and verb overlap, creating illusion of emptiness

  14. Why purely perfectivizing prefixes aren’t empty (1) M.A. Krongauz The number of prefixes suggests that they are not pure markers of aspect. • Assume: • Only purpose of prefixes is to mark perfective aspect • How many prefixes are needed? • Reasonable answer: ONE • Russian has 19 relevant prefixes (Krongauz 1998) 22

  15. Why purely perfectivizing prefixes aren’t empty (2) The UNeven distribution suggests that the prefixes do different jobs. • Assume • Prefixes are pure aspectual markers • Prediction • Even distribution of prefixes across base verbs they combine with 23

  16. Why purely perfectivizing prefixes aren’t empty (3) ZA-asfal’tirovat’ COVER PRO-fil’trovat’ MOVE THROUGH The consistent assignment of prefixes to borrowings suggests that prefixes are not semantically empty. • Assume • Prefixes are pure aspectual markers • Prediction • Prefixes are assigned to borrowings in random fashion • But • Native speakers know which prefixes to use with borrowings 24

  17. Structure of the argument • Explore meaning of raz- in verbs where its meaning is UNcontroversial: • Specialized perfectives • Complex act perfectives • Compare with the use of raz- in verbs where its meaning is considered “empty”: • Natural perfectives • The same meaning attested in (1) and (2). • Raz- has the same meaning in all types of perfectives. • There is no semantically empty raz- in Russian. 25

  18. Prototype for raz- • The general schema is instantiated in a variety of subcategories • Prototype = “PHYSICAL APART” • Physical object divided in pieces To explode is RAZorvat’sja • “APART”: • Outward movement in various directions from a point 26

  19. Specialized and complex act perfectives 10. UN-, DIS- (metaphor) 9. UN-, DIS- razgruzit’ ‘unload’ razdut’ ‘inflate’ rasšifrovat’ ‘decipher’ rastoptat’ ‘trample’ 1. PHYSICAL APART 5. SOFTEN, DISSOLVE 2. CRUSH 6. SWELL 4. SPREAD (metaphor) 3. SPREAD rastvorit’ ‘dissolve’ raskalit’ ‘make red-hot’ 7. EXCITE 11. INGRESS. 8. EXCITE (metaphor) razvolnovat’sja ‘become upset’ razreklamirovat’ ‘publicize all over’ razdosadovat’ ‘annoy’ 27 raspilit’ ‘saw apart’ raskatat’ ‘roll out’

  20. Naturalperfectives 10. UN-, DIS- (metaphor) 9. UN-, DIS- 1. PHYSICAL APART 5. SOFTEN, DISSOLVE 2. CRUSH 6. SWELL 4. SPREAD (metaphor) 3. SPREAD 7. EXCITE 11. INGRESS. 8. EXCITE (metaphor) 28

  21. Only in specialized perfectives Naturalperfectives 10. UN-, DIS- (metaphor) 9. UN-, DIS- Only in specialized perfectives 1. PHYSICAL APART 5. SOFTEN, DISSOLVE 2. CRUSH 6. SWELL 4. SPREAD (metaphor) 3. SPREAD 7. EXCITE 11. INGRESS. Only in complex acts 8. EXCITE (metaphor) 29

  22. Overlap and the illusion of emptiness Specialized perfectives & complex acts: Natural perfectives: VERB MEANING VERB MEANING APART APART RAZ- VERB STEM RAZ- VERB STEM Prefix and verb have different meanings The meaning of the prefix stands out Prefix and verb have overlappingmeanings The meaning of the prefix is “invisible” An illusion of semantic emptiness is created 30

  23. Take-home messages • We use physical experiences of space to construct concepts of time • Metaphors for time and events can be complex • Overlapping meanings can create an illusion of emptiness

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