On the status of certain complicated analytical forms of past tense (the Altai language data)

In the history of description of Altai tense forms, the past tense is represented by a wide range, from 2 to 8 forms ( =dy , =gan , =y/ AtAn , = ( Y ) ptYr ; =yp d’at + ty ; =yp + tur=dy , =GAn ӓdi , =Yp tur=gan ӓdi , =y / AtAn ӓdi , =GAn bol=gon ). Therefore, the area of the past tense in the Altai language is broader than that of the present tense and future tense. The paper offers a description and analysis of analytical forms of Altai past tense. Special attention is paid to complicated analytical constructions consisting of 3 components, with the first being a full verb in the form of an adverbial participle with =( Y ) p , and the second - a contraction of two motion verbs: kel = ‘to come’ и bar = ‘to leave’, which, apart from their main meanings, can also serve as function elements, namely, as directive markers of direction and localization (as second elements of analytical constructions). The third element is a contracted auxiliary verb јат = ‘to lie’ ( br=aat / bar=aat / barat / baradat (from < bar=yp d’at ( +at )); br=aat=ty / bar=at=ty (from < bar=Yp d’at + ty ); kl=eet / kel=et / kel-ed=et (from < kel=ip d’at ( +at )); kl=eet=ti / kel=et=ti (from < kel=ip d’at + ty ); bratkan / braatkan / baratkan (from < bar=yp d’at + kan ), kletken / kleetken / keletken (from < kel=ip d’at + kan ). In the forms presented, one may observe a unification of construction elements into a single phonetic word form. At this stage, the inner structure is transparent, and it is easy to see which elements of the analytical construction are assimilated, and which auxiliary verb participates in the process of contraction. Desemantization of verb forms serves as the basis for these innovatory modifications of phonetic appearances of analytical constructions. A detailed analysis of meanings and usage of contracted forms and constructions in the context of their evolution is provided. The author demonstrates the polyfunctionality of these finite forms, defines their relevant meanings, and indicates certain aspects of their usage. Such constructions are thought to belong still to the periphery of the tense field and can be currently described as aspectual-temporal-modal forms or constructions that merely complement the verb paradigm.

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