Traditional comparisons in the invariant motives of the olonkho exposition (based on the olonkho of the Vilyuysky epic tradition)

Issues related to the study of formulaic constructions in the structural-semantic aspect remain relevant in the study of the Yakut epic tradition. The study of cultural and linguistic universals and regional-local specifics of the Yakut epic tradition currently appears to be one of the urgent tasks in Yakut folklore studies. The novelty. The analysis of structural types, universals and uniqueness of comparative constructions seems to be an insufficiently studied topic, a detailed description of the structural types of expositional comparative constructions and their role in the proposals of olonkho tirades has not yet been conducted. The purpose of this article is to identify the structural-semantic and functional features of traditional comparisons in the invariant motifs of the epic exposition based on the material of the Vilyuysky epic tradition. The theme was chosen to be the macromotive of the description of the Middle World in the olonkho, which consists of micromotives: the creation of the world, the description of Aal Luuk Mas, the description of the nature of the hero’s homeland, the description of the richness of flora and fauna, and the description of the hero’s possessions and dwelling. The study used structural-semantic and functional research methods. The material is based on the texts of the following olonkho Vilyuysky epic tradition: “Kulan Kyyrtai Warrior” (1998) by P. F. Ignatiev, “Ogo Julakh Warrior” (2012) by S. V. Petrov, “Uol Duolan Warrior” (2010) by M. Z. Martynov, “The Furious Er Sogotokh” (2012) by N. G. Tagrova, “Ogo Tulaaiakh Warrior” (2017) by O. V. Karataeva.

For each motif, comparative constructions that are stable for it are used, in the reference parts of which zoonyms and ornithonyms, their somatisms, as well as anthropomorphic images are used as objects and subjects. According to our material, the same formulaic comparisons involved in describing the nature of the bogatyr ayii’s native land are found in each olonkho in their variations, the subjects and objects of the reference part of which are variable, and the structures of the formulaic constructions are unchanged. Synonymous comparisons have been identified, which differ in structure but are very similar in meaning, which are used in the motifs describing the origin and dwelling of the hero. The varieties of structural types of comparisons with the kurduc index in the invariant motifs of the Olonkho Vilyui region exposition are revealed: 1) Comparisons with the reference part, which functions as an epithet, defining the feature of an object or phenomenon (typical for the motives of describing Aal Luuk Mas, the nature of the Middle World, the dwelling of the hero aiyy); 2) Comparisons of the event type, which are comparative complex senten. This is the most rarely encountered type of comparison in the considered olonkhos, used in describing the nature of the Middle World. When describing motives, in addition to nominal subject comparisons with the caga indicator, where the parameter of one subject is equal to the parameter of another, another type of comparison with caga is used, based on the fact that the parameter of the subject of comparison is identified with the parameter of the comparison standard. In the future, it is planned to study the specifics of non-traditional comparisons with differential features based on the material of olonkho.

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