Functional and semantic aspects of the verb pol- in the Khakass language

Abstract

This article examines the functional semantics of the verb pol- in Khakass. The verb is characterized by a high degree of functional and semantic productivity, functioning both as a full lexical verb and as a component of analytical predicates. The aim of the study is to identify the meanings and functions of pol- and to describe the processes underlying its grammaticalization within the grammatical system of Khakass. The study is based on material drawn from literary, academic, and Khakass-language texts representing various types of usage of the unit under investigation. The analysis employs descriptive, comparative, structural, and contextual methods. Particular attention is paid to the meanings of pol- associated with being, becoming, existence, occurrence, and completion, as well as to the ways in which these meanings are realized in different contexts. Special emphasis is placed on constructions in which pol- functions as an auxiliary verb and participates in the expression of tense, aspectual, and modal meanings. Depending on the construction, pol- may participate in the formation of present, past, perfect, future, and conditional-hypothetical forms. Its role in negative and interrogative constructions is also examined separately, as pol- contributes to the formation of the semantic and grammatical structure of the utterance. The study establishes that the functional development of the verb pol- reflects a gradual transition from its use as a full lexical verb to its grammaticalization as a component of analytical constructions. At the same time, pol- retains a semantic connection with its lexical meaning, particularly in the expression of states, processes of becoming, completion, and resultant states. The interaction between the lexical and grammatical functions of pol- makes it possible to regard the verb as one of the important elements of the verbal system of Khakass. A comparison with other Turkic languages demonstrates that the functional development of verbs expressing states, becoming, and existence represents a widespread linguistic phenomenon. However, the specific meanings and grammatical patterns in which such verbs are used are determined by the particular grammatical systems of individual languages. The findings make it possible to clarify the position of the verb pol- within the system of analytical predicates in Khakass, identify the features of its functional and grammatical structure, and determine the main stages of its functional development. The study contributes to a systematic understanding of the grammaticalization of lexical units in Khakass and provides a basis.