Analytical constructions with the semantics of fear and caution in the Tuvan language

In the Tuvan language, as in many other languages, there is a form that grammaticalizes the semantics of apprehensive and preventive. It is a form with -dy, which expresses the preventive semantics combined with the verb көөр in the 2nd person of the singular and plural and the interrogative particle be. It is known that Tuvan has no particular grammatical form to express the meanings concerned. However, we have found various means that are used for this purpose. The core of verbal analytical constructions with the semantics of caution is represented by constructs based on structural schemes, including the forms with -dy and delexicalized interjection-imperative halak. We have identified five basic structural types of grammaticalized analytical constructions representing a situation that might be about to happen or messages (warnings) indicating that some undesirable situations may occur. Among them, the form with -dy complicated by additional lexical and grammatical elements is the main marker of the semantics of caution. In general, the results of our study suggest that the semantics of caution is implemented in the Tuvan language by a combination of rhythmic-intonational, lexical, morphological, and syntactic means, with some forms or constructions used in certain conditions specified by the context.

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