STRUCTURAL-SEMANTIC ANALYSIS OF THE SIMPLE TAJIK VERB “ГУРЕХТАН” AND ITS ENGLISH EQUIVALENTS (on the example of the expression of the trajectory of “removal”)

Motion is a fundamental cognitive category expressed in all world languages through diverse lexical and grammatical means. Within the framework of cognitive linguistics, pioneered by Leonard Talmy, a motion event is analyzed as a conceptual structure comprising the following core components: the Figure (the moving entity), the Ground (the reference frame against which motion occurs), the Path (the trajectory of the motion), and the Manner (the way in which the motion is performed)

1.2. Theoretical Frameworks

Talmy classified the world's languages into two primary typological groups based on which component of the motion event (Path or Manner) is encoded in the main verb root:

1. Satellite-framed languages: in these languages, of which English is a prominent example, the verb root typically encodes the Manner of motion. The Path, in turn, is expressed by “satellites” — phrasal particles, prepositions, and adverbs

2. Verb-framed languages: in this group (e.g., Spanish, French, Turkish), the Path of motion is encoded in the verb root, while the Manner is conveyed through ancillary means, such as gerunds or adverbial phrases. For example, the Spanish verb “salir” means “to exit” or “to go out”, inherently encoding the Path.

Within this typology, the Tajik (Persian) language occupies an interestingly ambiguous and debated position. On the one hand, it possesses Path-encoding prefixed verbs (e.g., баромадан — to exit, даромадан — to enter), which aligns it with verb-framed languages. On the other hand, it utilizes complex predicates (also known as light verb constructions) where Manner can be expressed (e.g., шино кардан — to swim, lit. to do swimming).

1.3. Objective

This study is dedicated to the comparative analysis of a specific case: the expression of the departure Path in the Tajik and English languages. We have selected the simple Tajik verb “гурехтан” (to flee, to escape) as the focus of our analysis, as it represents a compelling case of lexicalization. The primary objective of this paper is to identify the structural and semantic strategies employed by these two languages to express the complex concept of “гурехтан”, which conflates both a Path of departure and a specific Manner of motion on the basis of the bilingual dictionary complied by Prof. A. Mamadnazarov “Standard English-Tajik Dictionary”. — Dushanbe : Er-Graph, 2015. — 1016 p.”

2.1. A Structural and Semantic Analysis of the Simple Verb “гурехтан”

The simple verb “гурехтан” in Tajik is a complex lexical unit that integrates several semantic components within its root. A componential analysis reveals that the semantics of this verb comprise the following features: [+motion], [+path: departure from the Ground], [+manner: rapid], and [+cause/goal: escape from danger or an adverse situation].

This semantic structure distinguishes it from other simple motion verbs:

– from рафтан (to go): The verb “рафтан” is itself a neutral verb and only acquires the meaning of departure in conjunction with the preposition “аз” (from). It lacks the semes of [+rapid] and [+from danger]:

Ӯ аз деҳа рафт — He went from the village. — This implies departure from a location, but not necessarily from danger.

Ӯ аз зиндон гурехт — He escaped from the prison. — This implies departure from a location for the purpose of escaping danger.

– from давидан (to run): The verb “давидан” expresses the Manner of motion ([+rapid]) but does not necessarily entail a Path of departure or a cause related to danger:

Ӯ ба сӯйи ман давид — He ran towards me. — This indicates a Path of approach.

Ӯ аз тарс гурехт — He fled out of fear. — This indicates a Path of departure motivated by fear.

In conformity with Talmy's typology, the verb “гурехтан” represents a compelling hybrid or conflated case. Both the Path ([+departure]) and a specific Manner ([+rapid, +from danger]) are encoded in its root. This indicates that the Tajik language can, in certain instances, deviate from the strict verb-framed or satellite-framed classification.

Structural Analysis:

The verb “гурехтан” is a simple root verb formed from the historical prefix гу- and the root “рехтан”. This prefix is no longer productive in modern Tajik, but it remains in verbs such as “гузаштан” (to pass), “гузоштан” (to place/let pass), and “гурехтан” imparting to them a meaning of direction or transition. This historical structure further confirms that the Path component is lexicalized within the verb itself.

2.2. A Comparative Analysis of the English Equivalents for “гурехтан”

The English language, as a prominent representative of satellite-framed languages, employs several structural strategies to express the concept of “fleeing”. A comparative analysis of the equivalents for “гурехтан”, as identified in sources such as the English-Tajik dictionary by Professor A. Mamadnazarov, reveals a range of simple, derived, and phrasal verbs. These verbs, which express motion along a path of departure, possess distinct structural and semantic characteristics.

The most common and typologically characteristic strategy in English involves the use of phrasal verbs. In this construction, the main verb expresses the Manner, while the “satellite” indicates the Path. Examples include:

– simple verbs:

• bolt 2. v 5) гурехтан, фирор кардан, бо шитоб гурехтан

• dodge 1. n 1) гурез, канорагирӣ; 2) ҳила, роҳ восита: a good dodge for remembering names — воситаи хуб барои дар хотир нигоҳ доштани номҳо; 2) маҷ. гурехтан, гардан тофтан аз: to dodge military service — аз хизмати ҳарбӣ гурехтан

• flee v (fled; fled) 1) гурехтан, фирор кардан, даррафтан; 2) зуд гузаштан, босуръат сипарӣ шудан, босуръат рафтан, босуръат ҳаракат кардан; 3) ғайб задан, нопадид шудан

• scoot v жар. давида рафтан, бошитоб рафтан, тохтан, гурехтан

• escape 1. п 1) гурез, фирор, гурезиш: The prisoners planned an escape — Маҳбусон нақшаи гурезро мекашанд. 2) раҳоӣ, халосӣ, наҷот, раҳо; 3) хориҷ, ихроҷ; 4) резиш (хун ва г) 2. v 1) гурехтан, фирор кардан, даррафтан; 2) маҷ. ихроҷ шудан, хориҷ шудан, рехтан: Gas is escaping somewhere — Дар куҷое газ ихроҷ мешавад. 3) халос шудан, раҳо шудан, гурехтан, наҷот ёфтан, ҷон ба дар бурдан: Не escaped punishment — Ӯ аз ҷазо гурехт

– derived verbs:

• by means of the prefix a-: abscond v гурехтан, пинҳон шудан, фирор кардан, рӯ нишон надодан (одатан бо пули дигарон, аз додгоҳ)

• by help of the prefix e-: elope v бо ҳам фирор кардан (ба мақсади издивоҷ), бо дилдода гурехтан, фирор кардан

• elude v гурехтан аз, фирор кардан аз, дур рафтан аз

• by virtue of the prefix de-: decamp п 1) урдугоҳро тарк кардан, раҳсипор шудан; 2) фирор кардан, бо шитоб гурехтан

• desert I 1. п биёбон, дашт, саҳро, чӯл: They had to cross a vast desert — Ба онҳо лозим буд, ки аз биёбони васеъ гузаранд. 2. a беодам, чӯлистон: a desert island — ҷазираи беодам. 3. (зада дар дуюм ҳиҷо меафтад) v 1) тарк кардан: Не was deserted by his friends — Дӯстон ӯро тарк карданд. 2) гурехтан, фирор кардан: Не deserted from the army — Ӯ аз хизмат гурехт

• by dint of the suffix -y: chevy 1. n шикор, таъқиб, таъқибкунӣ, дунболагирӣ; 2. v 1) шикор кардан, таъқиб кардан, дунболагирӣ кардан; 2) гурехтан

– phrasal verbs:

• take to flight — гурехтан, фирор кардан

• ling off — гурехтан

• fling up ones heels — гурехтан

• run away — гурехтан, фирор кардан: She got frightened and ran away. Вай тарсида гурехт

• run off а) бо шитоб гурехтан; б) аз рохи охан баромадан

• get away: The prisoner managed to get away — Маҳбус тавонист гурезад/раҳо шавад.

This structure clearly demonstrates how the English language parcels out a complex meaning into separate grammatical components, a hallmark of satellite-framed languages

The comparative analysis of the Tajik verb “гурехтан” and its English equivalents allows us to draw several important theoretical and typological conclusions:

1. Typological classification is a general framework, not an absolute law. Although English is generally classified as a satellite-framed language, our analysis has shown that it also possesses simple verbs (e.g., escape, flee) that lexicalize both Path and Manner in their root. This phenomenon, known as co-event lexicalization, demonstrates that languages can employ diverse strategies

2. Difference in Lexical Focus. In English, the system of phrasal verbs (run away, walk away, crawl away, swim away) facilitates a greater focus on the Manner of motion. The speaker can specify the precise manner of departure by selecting the appropriate verb. In contrast, the Tajik verb gurekhtan focuses more on the overall situation (a conflation of Path + Cause)

3.1. Prospects for Linguo-Cognitive and Conceptual Analysis

The comparative analysis of “гурехтан” and its English equivalents provides fertile ground for future research within the domains of linguo-cognitive and conceptual analysis. Moving beyond the structural-typological framework of Talmy, such an approach would investigate not just how motion events are lexicalized, but why they are structured in a particular way and what this reveals about the cognitive processing of complex events in speakers of different languages. This perspective offers several promising avenues for future inquiry, enhancing the scientific significance of the present work.

This typological analysis provides a foundation for future inquiry within a linguo-cognitive framework, extending beyond descriptive classification to investigate the cognitive implications of divergent lexicalization patterns. Such research would examine how the structural organization of motion verbs influences the conceptualization of events for speakers of different languages.

3.2. “Thinking for Speaking” in the Domain of Motion

The findings align with Dan Slobin’s “Thinking for Speaking” hypothesis, which posits that the grammatical and lexical patterns of one's native language shape the way one frames events for verbalization. This framework facilitates an investigation into cognitive salience, questioning whether the holistic lexicalization of Path, Manner, and Cause in a single verb like “гурехтан” renders “fleeing” event more cognitively accessible than the compositional structures required in English.

Furthermore, the findings align with the “Thinking for Speaking” hypothesis, suggesting a typologically-driven attentional framing: English grammar may orient speakers toward specifying Manner, while Tajik grammar may prioritize the situational and intentional aspects of motion. Additional research could explore the underlying conceptual metaphors for "escape" in each language, providing a richer, culturally-grounded understanding.

Finally, the identified typological asymmetries hold significant implications for Second Language Acquisition (SLA), as learners must master the language-specific principles of conceptual “packing” and “unpacking” inherent in the verb system. These avenues for future research underscore the broader significance of this study for understanding the interface between language, cognition, and culture.

Thus, the structural-semantic analysis of the simple Tajik verb “гурехтан” and its English equivalents demonstrates that despite belonging to different typological groups, both languages employ similar strategies (the co-lexicalization of Path and Manner in a single root) as well as divergent ones (the use of phrasal verbs) to express complex concepts of motion. The verb “гурехтан” in Tajik stands as a compelling example of hybrid lexicalization, integrating both Path and a specific Manner. The English language, in contrast, expresses this concept using a diverse repertoire of structural resources, each focusing on a particular aspect of the motion event.