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An analysis of prefixal perfectivization in contemporary standard Russian

University of British Columbia

Prefixal perfectivization is the object of considerable discussion in present-day Russian aspectology. Accordingly, the first chapter of this thesis attempts to present as accurately and concisely as possible the diverse views concurrent today among scholars in the field of Russian aspectology with regard to prefixal perfectivization. In the second chapter the meanings of the Russian verbal prefixes are given, to the extent that they are discernible in conjunction with a large variety of verbs. The prefixal verbs given to illustrate each meaning of a prefix are cited from lexicological reference works. The prefixal perfectives are identified at the end of each section of prefix meanings in Chapter II. The meanings of verbs and verbal prefixes are examined in order to determine the system by which the occurrence of a particular prefix in conjunction with a basic verb can be predicted. In Chapter III a representative selection of prefixal verbs is classified according to the degree or nature of semantic motivation underlying their occurrence. Semantic motivation is understood as a correlation between the lexical meaning of a prefix and that of the verb base, which is considered to prompt the occurrence of a particular prefix over any other in certain instances. The discussion of explanations for the occurrence of aspect-formative prefixes is based on an analysis of the meanings of verbs and prefixes as well as the application of concepts held in present-day aspectology; An examination of polysemy serves further to determine the nature of prefixal perfectivization as a grammatical process. On the basis of the material described above, it is concluded that correlations between the lexical meanings of some verbs and prefixes may be the reason for the addition of a particular prefix to a given basic verb. At the same time, however, it is determined that prefixation is not consistently motivated by any semantic correlations.

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2010-03-09

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http://hdl.handle.net/2429/21680

Slavonic Studies

University of British Columbia

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