On Verb Enantiosemy in Khakas

Abstract

In the following article, we demonstrate usage and formation of contronyms using verb semantics as examples. Our purpose is to determine the main patterns of semantic development of polysemic verbs in Khakas on the basis of formation of opposite meanings in verb structures. We use a system of methods including description, interpretation, and classification of materials, as well as lexicographic methods, analysis of components and ф contextual analysis. Contronymic verbs are taken from dictionaries, literary fiction, mass media, folklore texts, as well as oral Khakas speech. We analyze around 100 polysemic verbs with contronymic meanings. The relevance of our study stems from the fact that Khakas enantiosemy has not yet been thoroughly researched; in particular, verb enantiosemy in Khakas (as well as Siberian Turkic languages in general) is described for the first time, ensuring the novelty of our project. We describe contronymic verbs, ways of formation of contronymy in polysemic verbs, semantic types of contronymic meanings, namely genus enantiosemy, contextual enantiosemy, enantiosemy of compatibility, and conversion enantiosemy. Our materials and research results may be used in textbooks on Khakas lexicology, in further studies of semantics, word structures, and theoretical issues of asymmetry of signs. We demonstrate that in Khakas, enantiosemy emerges as a result of various processes resulting in contronymic meanings within words.