On the Present Tense in Northwestern and Central Asian Turkic Languages
Journal name: Acta Orientalia
Original article title: Zum Präsens der nordwestlichen und mittelasiatischen Türksprachen
ACTA ORIENTALIA is a journal focused on the study of Oriental languages, history, archaeology, and religions from ancient times to the present. The journal includes articles reviewed by a senior scholar in the relevant field.
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Original source:
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Lars Johanson
Acta Orientalia:
(Founded in 1922 and published annually)
Full text available for: Zum Präsens der nordwestlichen und mittelasiatischen Türksprachen
Year: 1976 | Doi: 10.5617/ao.5153
Copyright (license): CC BY 4.0
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Summary of article contents:
Introduction
The text discusses the presence of the "present" and "present-future" construction in the Northwestern and Middle Asian Turkic languages. This phenomenon, represented by the suffix -A combined with personal markers, is a significant topic that remains unresolved within Turkology. The author, Lars Johanson, outlines several complex issues pertaining to this construction and the various interpretations regarding its historical development, its morphological characteristics, and the diversity of its semantic function across different Turkic languages.
The Role of the Auxiliary Verb "turur"
One critical concept addressed is the auxiliary verb "turur," which is seen as a morphological precursor to the present tense forms. Johanson notes two primary theories surrounding its relationship with the suffix -A: the more common viewpoint suggests that -A turur is foundational to the emergence of the present tense, leading to morphological variants, while an alternative perspective posits that the simpler -A form emerged first, with "turur" being added subsequently to form a new paradigm. The importance lies in how these differing theories highlight an ongoing debate regarding the origins of the present tense in Turkic languages.
Morphological Simplification and Variants
Another key topic is the morphological simplification seen in the evolution of the -A forms, particularly in the context of certain Turkic languages like Chuvash and Uzbek. Johanson discusses the transition from a variable vocalic system to a standardized vocalization (-A) and how this simplification has impacted the distinction between present forms and aorist forms. In languages such as Uzbek, where uniformity has been achieved in present tense markers, this has led to some confusion and overlap when distinguishing between actions regarded as present and those termed as future or habitual.
Tense Development and Function
A third significant concept is the process through which the present tense evolved in response to functional needs within various Turkic languages. Johanson argues that the establishment of the present tense did not merely stem from phonetic adjustments of earlier forms but instead required a thorough morphosyntactic innovation. This development necessitated an adjustment towards a more functional and coherent present indicative, as evidenced in the way present forms are utilized differently across languages like Tatar and Uzbek. Such contrasts underline the diversity within the Turkic family and the dynamic nature of language evolution.
Competition Between Simple and Complex Forms
Additionally, the author examines the competition between simple present forms and more complex constructions in languages like New Uighur. He highlights how these two forms have coexisted, with various degrees of interchangeably and functional overlap. The complexity of this relationship suggests that the traditional development from one form to another is not straightforward and may instead indicate a pattern of adaptive strategies employed by speakers to create distinctions when faced with phonetic similarities and functional redundancies in tense forms.
Conclusion
In summary, Lars Johanson’s exploration of the present and present-future structures within Northwestern and Middle Asian Turkic languages reveals a multifaceted problem rooted in historical, morphological, and functional aspects. The discussion points to a rich tapestry of language evolution, where varying interpretations of the role of auxiliary verbs, morphological simplifications, and distinctive linguistic functions shape our understanding of Turkic verb forms. Ultimately, this examination showcases the intricate processes underlying language development and the ongoing scholarly dialogue that seeks to untangle these complexities.
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What is the focus of Lars Johanson's work on Turkish languages?
Johanson's work focuses on the origin and development of the present tense, particularly the 'present-future' forms in Northwest and Central Asian Turkic languages.
What challenges exist in explaining the vowel -A in Turkic languages?
Explaining the uniform vowel -A in relation to its variable gerundial suffix in Old Turkish and its morphological relationship with the Aorist poses significant challenges in Turkology.
What is the significance of the auxiliary verb turur?
The auxiliary verb turur is crucial in understanding the morphological developments of present tense forms like -A turur + personal suffix versus -A + personal suffix in different Turkic languages.
How does the Chuvash language exhibit variations in present tense?
Chuvash features two paradigms for present tense, one standard and another dialectal, showcasing the complexity and variability of verb forms within Turkic languages.
Is the present tense simply a shortened form of the Aorist?
No, the present tense is not merely a shortened form of the Aorist; it has distinct morphological and functional characteristics arising from historical developments.
What factors contribute to the varying developments of present tense?
The diverse developments of present tense forms across Turkic languages can be traced back to phonetical inconsistencies, a declining need for redundancy, and historical linguistic shifts.
What does Johanson suggest about the relationship between Aorist and present?
Johanson suggests that the relationship between Aorist and present tense is complex, involving structural changes instead of simple derivational processes, indicating a rich history of language evolution.
Glossary definitions and references:
Oriental and Historical glossary list for “On the Present Tense in Northwestern and Central Asian Turkic Languages�. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of History, Linguistics, Religion, Philosophy, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism etc.
1) Future:
The concept of 'Future' is discussed in relation to the development of the present tense ('Präsens-Futur') in northwestern and central Asian Turkic languages. This tense often carries implications for both present and future actions, which is a central issue in Turkic linguistic studies.
2) Language:
The keyword 'Language' is crucial as the text situates its discussion within the broader context of Turkic languages, addressing how different Turkic dialects and languages have evolved specific grammatical features over time.
3) Grammar:
The text focuses heavily on the grammar of Turkic languages, particularly the evolving grammatical structures of the present tense in these languages. It discusses morphological changes and the impact of auxiliary verbs like 'turur' on Turkic grammar.
4) Doubt:
The term 'Doubt' appears in discussions comparing different interpretations of certain tense forms, specifically in Aorist and Future tenses where distinctions and uncertainties might suggest differing interpretations of aspect and certainty in performing actions. [see source text or glossary: Doubt]
5) Existence:
The 'Existence' of different present tense forms, including both simple and compound forms, in various Turkic languages is a key discussion point. These forms' co-existence provides insights into the languages' historical and linguistic evolution.
6) Dialect:
The variety in Turkic dialects, such as those of Chagatai, Uzbek, and others, demonstrates differing grammatical developments. A specific example mentioned is the dialectal variations in Tschuwasch and their impact on present tense forms. [see source text or glossary: Dialect]
7) Dahin (Dahi):
The text references 'Dahin' within the German phrase 'Dahin, daß,' metaphorically indicating a progression or follow-up idea. It is employed to set the context for linguistic progressions in Turkic languages. [see source text or glossary: Dahin]
8) Kara:
Kara is mentioned in the context of 'Karachanid', which is a stage in the historical development of the Turkic languages, relevant to discussing variances in grammatical structure such as the Aorist and Gerund forms. [see source text or glossary: Kara]
9) Mayu (Mayú):
Mayu appears in discussions of negation forms in Turkish languages, especially the transformation of the Gerund ending from -U to -A or -May. It is an element in examining grammatical shifts over time. [see source text or glossary: Mayu]
10) Maya (Maya°):
Similar to 'Mayu', 'Maya' is discussed in the context of negative forms in Turkish grammar, particularly its evolution from the old Turkic Gerund form in stress-based sentence constructions. [see source text or glossary: Maya]
11) Alam (Ala�):
'Alam' is used in examples illustrating different present and future tense forms in Turkic languages, especially within the Tatar and Uzbek dialects, demonstrating historical linguistic shifts. [see source text or glossary: Alam]
12) Baru:
'Baru' is an example used in the text to discuss the development of the present tense forms and differentiation from Aoristic forms, showing the transition and morphological changes in Turkic grammar. [see source text or glossary: Baru]
13) Ging:
'Ging' appears in a comparison of verb forms across different Turkic languages, indicating movements or actions and contributing to discussions on present and habitual aspect distinctions in historical linguistics. [see source text or glossary: Ging]