Ch14.Html

IN SLOVAK 222
Projective lexicon of the Russian language November 12, 2006

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Reader's issue 14

Dear friends! The thematic series "Words about Language" (author's issues 153 - 161) is not finished yet, but I am interrupting it to give the floor to readers. A lot of letters have accumulated since the summer.

I remind you that “The Gift of Speech” is open to your thoughts and monologues. I always look forward to your ideas, comments, observations of new words - and the new words themselves. Unfortunately, publications are sometimes delayed compared to letters, but everything worthy of attention and requiring a response always appears in The Gift.

Readers' issues publish reviews of new words, questions and opinions of readers about the current state of the Russian language. New words created by readers (with definitions and interpretations) are published in guest editions.

Write to me at russmne@emory.edu Mikhail Naumovich Epstein. Subject: dar Encoding KOI8

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1. Isaac van der Off Isaak van der Off <disevan@mail.ru>
My answers to Isaac's questions are inside his letter, indented.

June 30, 2006
Dear Mikhail Naumovich, hello.
I follow your publications with great interest, especially regarding word formation and the compilation of a new dictionary. An ordinary dictionary is a conscientious statement of existing linguistic material, but your dictionary (of the non-existent Russian) unexpectedly encroaches on what was considered the prerogative of poets and the abstract mass of the people. I find this a very exciting and promising challenge.

This is why I am writing: 1) I have three questions, 2) I want to offer several
their word formations.

Question 1: How to interpret new word formations introduced through others in the dictionary
new word formations? In Khlebnikov’s classic “zanziver rattled”: if
define both of these words separately, then both will lose meaning or that elusive
the meaning that Khlebnikov himself brought. The creature "zanziver" is known only for its
property of "rattle". Or even this: known for its property once
"rattle". And it’s like this: “ping-ping-ping” and nothing else. At the same time the word
"rattle" sticks out in all directions from musical to obscene, if it is not
to further define by the very sound and being that we guess from the sound that
either the academic or the zoological name "zanziver". In this sense: hopeless
Is there a dictionary (with inevitable defragmentation of the text) for statements of this kind?
fiction (and for this kind of poets)?

M.E. This is a very interesting example when new words, in fact, have meaning only in the community of each other and are not subject to separate interpretation (although their grammatical form, of course, is vague in its meaning, as in the famous example of L. Shcherba: “the gnarled kuzdra curls the bokrenka "). It seems to me that we need to distinguish between two types of word creation: speech and language . In the case of Khlebnikov, as in your own poems (see below), new words are born in the flow of speech, from which they cannot be taken out - in any case, this will be an independent lexicographical work, which the poet himself rarely does. I am not a poet; I am closer to another type of word creation, when it is born not in speech, but in language, and is correlated not with the surrounding context, but with all similar lexical and morphological elements in the language system. For example, when I propose the words “star painting”, “fire painting” (from issue 156 ), I correlate them with the paradigm of all words in the Russian language that have the same secondary root “-pis” (“painting, chronicle”, etc.). I find missing links in this paradigm and fill in these gaps, introducing words that do not yet exist, but that may exist. Of course, in order for such a possibility to be presented visually, new words must be integrated into the context, join the flow of speech - for this purpose examples of use are given, like bridges thrown from language to speech. "I love fire painting in a dark garden, a hieroglyph of a fire, changing its shape from time to time..." But here speech creation is secondary in comparison with language creation. The word is created in differential relations with the lexical system of the language, and not in relations with the immediate speech context. It must be said that linguistic word creation, carried out through a dictionary, through a system of interpretations and examples, is much less common than speech word creation, to which many poets and prose writers are involved (A. Bely, Khlebnikov, Mayakovsky, V. Nabokov, D. Prigov, V. Sorokin, etc. .).The techniques of linguistic word creation have not been studied, and it itself is only just beginning to be recognized as an independent, scientific and artistic genre of literature, combining linguistics and creativity, linguistics and linguistics.

Question 2: Doesn't a dictionary formalize the spontaneous creativity of language? Sometimes it seems
that the absence or existence of a particular word or word form is nothing more
than a formality. An ordinary dictionary as a language norm is in demand mainly
radio presenters. In the end, by violating the rules of the language of "announcers" I am not at all
I definitely lose in the sense. Moreover, non-normative explanation
It is also advantageous due to the novelty of its presentation. Dovlatov has a village boy on his
Questions answered: “The mudas swam across the blocky water.” If every word were
assigned to a specific meaning, then so much meaning and expression in one phrase is not
turn on. Does this mean that the new formalization of words will destroy this spontaneous novelty?
That is, is it worth straightening this spring by force? And how to do this non-violently?

M.E. Basically, I have already answered this question. I think that a projective dictionary does not formalize anything, since it does not work with some pre-given spontaneous phenomena of language, but itself generates new words, concepts, meanings, and then makes it possible to analyze and consciously use them. One type of word creation (linguistic) does not at all exclude another (speech). The trouble is that there is very little “spontaneous creativity” in the modern Russian language in general, and it would be good if it was counter-inspired by both writers, “speech specialists”, and philologists, “dictionary specialists”

Question 3: Are definitions needed for new words? Clear or at least
an approximate definition of the word is necessary for a clear or at least approximate
transfer of information. But to convey intonation or sensation? Won't he lose
Russian in the definitions of their hieroglyphics, which they began to strive for in
Latin languages ​​since E. Pound?

(Next, I will explain Isaac van der Off’s question with an excerpt from his article “HIEROGLYPHS, MITKA AND DICTIONARY”, which he sent me. - M. E.)
“What I call hieroglyphs has existed in the Russian language for a long time. Moreover, it is already slowly coming into wide circulation. The most striking impetus for the spread of this manner of conversation was probably given by the Mitki. Their communication in hieroglyphs (although they call them quotations) is rich in intensity usage makes them the first Chinese of Russian literature. “Brother Mitka is dying, asking for fish soup” - the fundamental Mitkovsky hieroglyph as a correspondence to a depressed state with gradations of experience depending on the context, intonation...
“Put out the fitelek, smoke it” (with the vile intonation of the character “His Excellency’s Adjutant”) and the hieroglyph of his base traits, recognized by Mitko himself...”

M.E. What you call hieroglyphics is often called idiomatics, or phraseology. A phraseological unit is a stable combination of words that is usually reproduced in speech already “ready-made” and the meaning of which is not reduced to the meaning of its lexical units (for example, “chickens to laugh”, “look through your fingers”, etc.). It is usually believed that phraseological units are not produced, but only reproduced in speech, i.e. Certain combinations of words become phraseological units as they become a habit and begin to be widely used. But verbal creativity in the genre of word combinations ( neophrasy ) is also quite possible, as is creativity in the genre of one word (neology, monoword). The examples you give from Mitki are essentially such neophrases , i.e. phrases deliberately composed as phraseological units intended for idiomatic use. It is not at all necessary that they spread in this capacity, just as it is not necessary for a single word to enter the language - it is important that these phrases were created as independent works, they are complete in themselves, and most importantly, their meaning is not reduced to the meaning of the lexical units that make them up. “Brother Mitka is dying, asking for fish soup” - this is not at all about death and not about the fish soup, but about the mournful, pitiful state of the human spirit. In the near future, I intend to expand the topic of “The Gift”, including, along with neology, and neophrasia , i.e. experiments in phraseological creativity. I have already accumulated many similar experiences, it’s time to share them with readers.

In the attached file my not only innovations, but also texts, and in them
new writings. It's not easy for me to separate them from the text in which they grew up, so I
I'll send it all together. I will be very grateful. if you take a look. Thank you

Isaac

I am grateful to Isaac van der Off for the thought provoking questions. Below I present several of his poems that demonstrate the energy of word creation.

* * *
Time was running out in my veins,
in blood - seconds,
in the forehead - an alarm clock
I'm a rusty pendulum
I took it with me to the refrigerator
There, among the taiga snows
I froze time into eternity!
And now, immortal,
I preach carelessly
Slow joy. Quiet!

* * *
This is unclear.
And this is not clear:
As if in a low-lying paste-
Those tart smell of almonds,
Those dark theater of crystal,
Those aunt’s cries here are flowing, flowing.
Behind a heap of heaps I should lie down.
Just get up, go down.
There is an untouched stove
I have no one to erase.
And I won't.

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2. Alexey Olegovich Filimonov - poet, critic, literary critic, member of the Writers' Union, author of the book of lyrics "The Night Word" (St. Petersburg, 1999), articles on modern literature and
artistic world Vl. Nabokov. Lives in St. Petersburg. Author of the 17th and 18th guest issues of "The Gift", participant in many other issues. "Alexey Filimonov" <melosan@mail.ru>

Dear Mikhail Naumovich!
I read the latest issue of “The Gift” with great joy, as well as all the previous ones. Indeed, how deeply and passionately both readers and writers think about language and new words! I have read your latest essays, to which you provide links (" The Language of Being in Andrei Platonov ", etc.), and it seems to me that something Heideggerian-Platonic, and of course, yours, lies in the formation of the Universe of new words, which are still - between Being and Nothing. Are they the result of the resurrection of those long forgotten and previously existing in other languages, and who knows, in other dimensions, or do they arise spontaneously, continuing the Days of Creation? These questions are probably philosophical, and linguistic, and, perhaps, creating a new religion - the religion of the Word, about whose true conciliarity you write. I accidentally came up with a poem, I want to dedicate it to you and your amazing project.

THE BIRTH OF THE WORD

M.N.Epstein, author of the "Gift of the Word" project

New words will be born
like the leaves of the Spirit in the Tree of Life,
already barely available
at a festival or funeral feast.
It's half asleep, half awake
a word not yet known.
Direct your irresistible rumor
to him, which is joyful and new.
Already in the heavenly book of books
open to angelic vision.
And a long moment comes
for human insight.

Dear Alexey,
I was very touched by your letter and poem.

It's half asleep, half awake
a word not yet known.

Yes, this is how it happens, although I still can’t understand how exactly, although I tried many times to spy on this moment of the birth of a new word. Either it doesn't exist yet, or it already exists. How it becomes, where it comes from, is a mystery.
Thank you! All the best!
Yours, MNE

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3. Alexey Olegovich Filimonov

November 8, 2006
Dear Mikhail Naumovich!
I want to know your opinion, as one of the most caring people, in relation to the proposed “Law” on the Russian language. It seems to me that the initial freedom of language predetermines the freedom of its users, and in this freedom of choice lies the aesthetic and moral Law. And not self-will in exposing and prohibiting “foreign” words. And, worst of all, this “Law” will inevitably entail a lot of restrictions and additions that will turn out to be many times more destructive than the Bolshevik reforms. Why, instead of the creative development of speech, which takes the development of thought to a new stage, do I offer us narrowing and simplification?
Best regards, Alexey Filimonov.

Dear Alexey!
It also seems to me that banning foreign words is pointless, and it will be no easier for politicians to do without them than for scientists, engineers, and economists. Who will President Putin, Prime Minister Fradkov, ministers , deputies , leaders of factions and oppositions , and the country itself - the Russian Federation and its basic law - the Constitution - begin to consider themselves and what will they begin to be called ? It is clear that nothing will come of this idea. But there is hope that the discussion of the law, and even more so its possible adoption (albeit inevitably a failure) will give rise to a new interest in the language and the corresponding efforts of word creation on a Russian root basis. Surely many stillborn words will appear to replace foreign ones, but we cannot exclude the possibility of live-born ones that will gradually take root and enrich the language. Let there be free competition between foreigners and their Russian competitors (sorry, rivals). In this case, the main criterion (rule) is not to subtract anything from the language, but only to add. Do not prohibit anything, but only create and multiply. Everything that the language does not need will die by itself. But what he needs will not appear on its own. Someone should be the first to write it, say it. Such a simple idea: words, like people, should have parents, but there should not be killers. Death comes on its own, but life comes through someone.
Yours sincerely,
Michael Epstein

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4. Lydia Moniava, student of the journalism department of Moscow State University.

October 29, 2006
Mikhail Naumovich, hello!
My name is Lydia Moniava, for the last year I have been trying to attend your Moscow lectures, regularly reading “The Gift of Words”. I wanted to thank you very much and I find what you do very important and interesting. There is no point in describing all your delight, simply as a fact of yet another expressed gratitude. Thank you.

I am currently writing a course work on neologisms in the works of A. Didurov; thought that
some of his author’s neologisms are quite in the spirit of “The Gift of the Word.” I’m sending you one example, if you’re interested, I can make a selection of everything I can find.

Example: “The beauties of which are spoken about in an indecently DOWN syllable” (Alexey Didurov,
"Majnun Ines", Moscow, 1984, samizdat).

Sincerely,
Lydia Moniava

Dear Lydia,

Thank you for writing! I am pleased to hear that you attended the Moscow lectures.
In my opinion, this is a successful neologism - “sublime”, by analogy and contrast with “sublime”. Although, logically, it would be necessary to “lowly”: the meaning of “bottom” is twice expressed, as in the word “exalted” the meaning of height is twice expressed - by a prefix and a root. But logic in language does not always work.

Unfortunately, I am not familiar with Didurov’s work.
If you send a small selection (5 words with examples), I will publish them in the section
"Observer" (occasionally appears in "The Gift").

All the best!
Michael

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Martha Singapore <lainy@inbox.ru>wrote:

Hello, dear Mikhail! (sorry, I don’t know my middle name)
I read your article in the magazine "Znamya" (2006, 1), and although my experience is not very great, this was the first linguistic article that aroused such curiosity in me.
Having subscribed to the network newsletter, I will now also follow word creation.
I think your idea is very relevant. Moreover, inventing new words is very interesting.

Please tell me what you think about these thoughts:
Language is a living being, constantly changing, moving, “breathing.” Nowadays there is a simplification of the Russian language, which is what your article was devoted to. Let's take, for example, the word "mother". In colloquial speech it has already reached "ma". Maybe someday it will just be "m". But then everything will start all over again: “m” will turn into “ma,” “ma” into “mom,” and so on. If language is something living, then it will die and be reborn, and no one will be able to prevent this or somehow influence this process. Everything should take its course.

Dear Marta!
Thank you for your letter and for your interest in the article and “The Gift”. I completely agree with you that language is “a living being, constantly changing, moving, breathing.” Regarding the fact that words sometimes lengthen and sometimes shorten, I think that this is not so.
That a language dies and is reborn is also doubtful, such historical. I don't remember any examples. Another thing is that it freezes and then expands again. And we can, we must somehow influence this to the best of our ability.
All the best!
Mikhail Naumovich Epstein

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Ekaterina "Katherine Smiling" <uma_ni@rambler.ru>

Good afternoon, Mikhail!
I don’t know if it’s possible to write to this e-mail on a topic that interests me. :)
My name is Katya, I am a connoisseur of your talent :)
Recently I thought about the etymology and, in general, the real meaning of the expression “smell the booty”,
Of course, the dictionary won't give you anything here. I would like to ask your advice on how this could be found out, or maybe you already know this?
I'm looking forward to your answer.
Sincerely,
Kate.

Dear Katya,
I believe that the expression you cited means approximately the same as “feeling in the gut” or “smelling with the skin.” But since the butt is most often punished from childhood, “smell the butt” has another connotation: to anticipate danger, threat, grave consequences. (See V.V. Khimik. Large dictionary of Russian colloquial expressive speech, St. Petersburg, 2004, p. 203). In general, this issue is dealt with by linguistic analogy, in which I, unfortunately, cannot consider myself a great specialist.
Best wishes,
AD

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For a number of reader responses to the latest issue of "The Gift" - about the sign ,,, ( multi-fives ) - see LJ, in the AIST community .

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The publishing house "Higher School" published Mikhail Epstein's book " Word and Silence. Metaphysics of Russian Literature " (M., 2006). You can see the table of contents and abstract. In Moscow, it is sold (at the lowest price, without markup) in the store of the publishing house " Vysshaya Shkola " (Trubnaya Square, Neglinnaya St., 29/14), as well as in " Biblioglobus " (metro station Lubyanka, Myasnitskaya St., 6 /3), in the “Pedagogical Book” (corner of B. Dmitrovka and Kamergersky Ave.). The book can be purchased through online stores: here , here , here ...

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network project Mikhail Epstein's "The Gift of Words" has been published since April 2000. Every week, subscribers are sent several new words, with definitions and examples of use. These words are not in any dictionary, and yet they denote significant phenomena and concepts for which there has not yet been a place in the language and public consciousness. "Dar" also conducts discussions about the Russian language, discusses letters and suggestions from readers. “The Gift” can serve as a guide to word creation, an introduction to the world of linguistic fantasies and mental technologies. “The word controls the brain, the brain controls the hands, hands control the kingdoms” (Velimir Khlebnikov).

Subscribe to "Dar" your friends and acquaintances
Subscription form - in the same place as all previous issues

PreDictionary - a collection of English neologisms by M. Epstein.

Association of Word and Term Finders ( AIST ) is a linguistic community on LiveJournal.

The future of the humanities is the community in LiveJournal.

Gramma. ru is a Runet language portal dedicated to the culture of written speech.
http://iling.nw.ru/confs/neology2006.html