СОПОСТАВИТЕЛЬНЫЙ АНАЛИЗ МОРФОЛОГИЧЕСКИХ ОСОБЕННОСТЕЙ СТЕПЕНЕЙ ПРИЛАГАТЕЛЬНЫХ В ТАДЖИКСКОМ И АНГЛИЙСКОМ ЯЗЫКАХ

1.1. Background

Adjectives, as a crucial part of speech, enable speakers to describe, qualify, and compare nouns, enriching descriptive language and conveying precise information. A fundamental aspect of adjectival morphology is the expression of degrees of comparison — positive, comparative, and superlative — which allow for the grading of qualities. While the semantic concept of comparison is universal, the morphological and syntactic mechanisms employed by languages to express these degrees vary significantly. Tajik, an Indo-Iranian language with a rich literary tradition, and English, a Germanic language, offer distinct paradigms for adjectival gradation

1.2. Research Problem and Significance

Despite general linguistic descriptions of adjectival degrees in both Tajik and English, a focused, in-depth comparative analysis, particularly one grounded in a substantial literary corpus like “Reminiscences” by Sadriddin Aini remains less explored. Existing research often provides isolated grammatical descriptions or general comparative statements without delving into the intricate morphological peculiarities, semantic subtleties, and the specific challenges encountered in cross-linguistic rendering within authentic textual contexts

Corpus Selection: The primary corpus is “Reminiscences” by Aini. This choice is justified by its literary significance, its rich and authentic Tajik language, and its extensive descriptive passages which are likely to contain a wide array of adjectival forms, including those in various degrees of comparison. A reputable published English translation of the chosen work will be used for comparative purposes, or where an official translation is lacking or deemed insufficient for fine-grained linguistic analysis, the researcher will provide expert translations

Data Collection:

1. Systematic Identification: The entire Tajik text of "Reminiscences" will be thoroughly read to identify all instances of adjectives in their positive, comparative, and superlative degrees.

2. Extraction and Annotation: Each identified instance will be extracted along with its complete sentence and its corresponding page number in the Tajik edition of “Reminiscences”

3. English Equivalents: For each extracted Tajik sentence, its English translation (from the published translation or the researcher's own expert rendition) will be obtained and noted

3.1. Comparative Analysis of Adjectival Degrees in Tajik and English: on the example of “Reminiscences” by Aini

Hereby, the study presents a direct comparative analysis of the systems for expressing adjectival degrees in Tajik and English, drawing upon empirically derived examples from “Reminiscences” by Aini. The analysis of each example adheres to the detailed comparative structure established in the methodology.

3.1.1. Comparison of positive degrees and their translation

So, the consideration of positive degree adjectives in the corpus of our study reveals consistent patterns in their morphological formation across both Tajik and English.

Example 1

Дар ҳаёти ман як рӯзи рангин буд

Based on the above-adduced sentence, one can assert that the adjective рангин functions in the positive degree. Morphologically, it is derived from the noun ранг + the suffix -ин. In this sentence, it serves as an attributive adjective, directly modifying the noun рӯз. The English adjective colorful also represents the positive degree. Its morphological structure involves the derivation from the noun color + the suffix -ful. Syntactically, it directly modifies the noun day, mirroring the attributive function of its Tajik counterpart.

Thus, the relevant instance demonstrates a high degree of both formal and semantic equivalence. The parallel morphological derivation through suffixation (noun + suffix to adjective) and the identical attributive syntactic function contribute to a robust cross-linguistic correspondence in both structure and meaning.

3.2. Comparison of comparative degrees

The corpus of our study considers the morphological and syntactic mechanisms employed by these languages to express comparative degrees of adjectives, with particular attention to the use of the Tajik suffix -тар versus English -er or more, and the comparative markers аз versus than.

3.2.1. Synthetic comparative: Tajik -тар vs. English -er

Example 2

Хонаи мо аз хонаи ҳамсоя куҳнатар буд

The adjective куҳнатар is the comparative form of куҳна. Its formation is synthetic, achieved by affixing the suffix -тар to the positive degree. The explicit comparison is marked by the preposition аз, which precedes the noun phrase denoting the entity of comparison хонаи ҳамсоя. The English adjective older is the synthetic comparative form of old, derived by adding the suffix -er. The explicit comparison is similarly marked by the conjunction than, preceding the neighbor's house.

Thus, the adduced example demonstrates a very high degree of formal, functional, and semantic equivalence. Both Tajik and English predominantly utilize synthetic suffixation for the formation of comparative adjectives from monosyllabic or short disyllabic bases, and both employ distinct lexical items аз/than to introduce the comparative complement.

3.2.2. Analytic comparative: Tajik “бештар + adjective” vs. English “more + adjective”

Example 3

Ин масъала аз дигарон бештар муҳим буд

The comparative expression бештар муҳим employs an analytic construction, combining the comparative adverb бештар with the positive degree adjective муҳим. The comparative complement is introduced by аз дигарон. The English counterpart more important also relies on an analytic construction, utilizing the adverb more preceding the positive degree adjective important. The comparison is explicitly marked by than the others.

This instance exhibits high functional and semantic equivalence. Both languages demonstrate a shared preference for analytic (periphrastic) constructions when forming comparatives from adjectives that are typically polysyllabic or of non-indigenous origin, employing functionally analogous adverbs бештар/more to denote increased degree.

3.2.3. Irregular comparative forms

Example 4

Ҳолати ӯ аз пештара хубтар шуд

The adjective хубтар is the comparative form of хуб. Notably, in Tajik, this comparative is formed regularly via the suffix -тар. The comparison is established with аз пештара. The English adjective better is the irregular, suppletive comparative form of good. The comparative complement is introduced by than before.

Into the bargain, the above-mentioned example highlights high functional and semantic equivalence in conveying the comparative meaning. However, a significant morphological divergence is observed: the Tajik form хубтар is morphologically regular, whereas its English equivalent better is a classic instance of an irregular comparative.

3.3. Comparison of Superlative Degrees

This subsection analyzes the morphological and syntactic strategies employed by Tajik and English for expressing superlative degrees of adjectives, comparing the Tajik suffix -тарин and periphrastic аз ҳама constructions with English -est, most, and analogous phrasal elements like of all or in the world.

3.3.1. Synthetic Superlative: Tajik "-тарин" vs. English "-est" / "most"

Example 5

Ин рӯзи хотирмонтарин дар ҳаёти ман буд

The superlative adjective хотирмонтарин is derived synthetically from хотирмон via the suffix -тарин. The English equivalent, most memorable, employs an analytic (periphrastic) construction (most + positive adjective), consistent with English morphology for polysyllabic adjectives. Seemingly, a monosyllabic Tajik base (e.g., калонтарин/biggest) would typically correspond to an English synthetic form (e.g., biggest). High functional and semantic equivalence is observed, as both forms effectively convey the highest degree. However, a formal morphological divergence exists for this specific adjective, with Tajik using synthetic suffixation where English employs analytic periphrasis.

3.3.2. Analytic Superlative: Tajik “аз ҳама + Positive Adjective” vs. English “the most + Positive Adjective”

Example 6

Ӯ аз ҳама мардони деҳа боақл буд

The analytic superlative аз ҳама боақл combines the intensifier аз ҳама with the positive adjective боақл denoting the highest degree within the group мардони деҳа. The English analytic counterpart, the most intelligent uses the most + positive adjective intelligent mirroring the Tajik periphrastic structure for polysyllabic adjectives in group emphasis. Very high functional, semantic, and formal equivalence is observed in these parallel analytic superlative strategies.

3.3.3. Irregular Superlative Forms

Example 7

Ин дастури беҳтарин барои зиндагии ман буд

The superlative беҳтарин is derived from хуб through regular -тарин suffixation. In contrast, the English equivalent best is the irregular, suppletive superlative of good. While conveying identical superlative meaning (high functional/semantic equivalence), a notable formal divergence exists in morphological regularity: regular suffixation in Tajik versus irregular lexicalization in English, illustrating distinct historical morphological patterns for high-frequency adjectives.

Thus, the corpus of our study systematically compared adjectival degrees in Tajik and English, detailing their formation, function, and semantic nuances. While sharing the conceptual framework of comparison, they exhibit distinct morphological realizations: Tajik uses suffixes -тар, -тарин and analytic аз ҳама, while English employs suffixation -er, -est and periphrasis more, most, alongside irregular forms. “Reminiscences” by Aini exemplified these distinctions, highlighting parallels in synthetic and analytic strategies and underscoring the importance of morphological and syntactic understanding for translation equivalence. The research deepens appreciation for both languages and offers insights for linguistics, language learning, and translation.