Litera - rubric Linguoculturology

Abstract: The object of this research is the phraseological field with the semantics of "human character" as a fragment of the linguistic picture reflecting the peculiarities of perception of the world by native speakers of Russian and Chinese languages. The subject of the study is national peculiarities and common features of cultural components of the meaning of phraseological units about human character in the Russian and Chinese languages. In the first part of the article, the author gives a brief description of the theoretical understanding of phraseology as a phenomenon of Russian and Chinese linguistics, draws parallels between the concepts of phraseological unit and chengyu, comparing the key characteristics of the two terms and specifying the subject of research. Having defined the theoretical boundaries of the concept of phraseology, the author of the article systematizes the research material in accordance with the semantic features. The second part of the study is devoted to the comparative linguistic, cultural and semantic analysis of phraseological units expressing the "character of a person" in Russian and Chinese. Methods of classification, lexico-semantic analysis, linguistic and cultural analysis, comparison, generalization are used. The sample of the study includes 400 phraseological units about the character of a person (200 Russian and 200 Chinese), which were studied using quantitative and qualitative methods of analysis. The research contributes to the study of linguistic and cultural peculiarities of the perception of human character by representatives of Russian and Chinese cultures. The scientific novelty of the article lies in the application of comparative lexico-semantic and linguistic-cultural analysis to phraseological units with the meaning of "human character". Russian and Chinese studies of the quantitative correlation of phraseological and semantic groups in the phraseological field with the semantics of "human character" in Russian and Chinese, as well as the identification of cultural and historical features and patterns in the perception of human character traits in the Russian and Chinese language worldviews, revealed the presence of a universal and specific perception of human character. All this made it possible to establish a connection between different historical and social development, the influence of different religious and philosophical teachings in Russia and China, and the perception of human character reflected in the corresponding fragment of the phraseological field.

DOI: 10.25136/2409-8698.2023.12.69161

Abstract: The cultural landscape as a concept is not a homogeneous formation, but, like a mosaic, includes patterns of cultures, both ethnic groups and state and other entities, religions, professional traditions, art, literature, science. Outstanding personalities who have contributed to the culture of the area have a separate role. The Crimean cultural landscape is rich and diverse, which is natural for a multiethnic region with a rich centuries-old history. Many outstanding figures of culture and art have contributed to the cultural landscape of Crimea, such as artists I.K. Aivazovsky, M.A. Voloshin, K.F. Bogaevsky, poets and writers A. Mickiewicz, A. S. Pushkin, I. Shmelev, architects A. N. Beketov, P.Ya. Saferov and N.P. Krasnov, composer A. Karamanov, ethnographer and sociologist N.Y. Danilevsky and many others. The subject of this article is the contribution to the cultural landscape of Crimea of the outstanding writer, cultural and philosophical figure, Leo Nikolaevich Tolstoy. Research methods used in the article are: the method of historicism in retrospect of the details of the cultural landscape of the Crimea, the method of historiography in clarifying the concept of cultural landscape, the associative-artistic method in comparing what L.N. Tolstoy wrote about the Crimea and its contribution to the cultural landscape. The scientific novelty of the research consists in understanding L. N. Tolstoy's contribution to the cultural landscape of Crimea. The cultural landscape of Crimea is rich and diverse due to both the unique natural and climatic zone and the geographical location of the peninsula on the way from east to west, which since ancient times has led to the polyethnicity, polylingualism, and multi-confessional nature of the Crimean cultural ecumene. The formation of the Crimean cultural landscape was influenced not only by communities, but also by prominent personalities who lived and/or visited the peninsula at different times. The contribution to the Crimean culture of the famous writer, philosopher, educator L. N. Tolstoy consists in his deep philosophical understanding of the local cultural flavor, expressed in the cycle "Sevastopol stories", as well as in the diaries of the writer, where he talks about Crimea as a place whose beauty and harmony embodies the philosophical harmony of thought, understanding by man and his the eternal pursuit of goodness and light as the goal of life.

DOI: 10.25136/2409-8698.2024.4.70295

Abstract: The wealth of every independent and sovereign country is the abundance of language on its territory, in which the nationalities living there can freely use their languages. In addition to the State language, there are more than 15 languages spoken by ethnic minorities in the Republic of Azerbaijan. In addition to the languages of ethnic minorities, the population of the country uses other foreign languages, which are included in the group of world languages. The objects of research in this article are foreign languages and their relationship to the state language. The legislative acts adopted to regulate the language vector in the country are the subject of research. The author describes in detail and highlights the legislative bodies and government structures that play a crucial role in the development of language policy in the country. In the course of studying language policy, one cannot do without considering the following two main sociolinguistic terms: language regulation and language planning, which are of the nature of state or social impact on the functioning or development of languages in the state. The author mainly used the theoretical method in the study of the article, and also conducted a general analysis of the data. The conclusions are based on legal methods, as well as sociolinguistic methods (statistical and expert assessments). The necessary information in the field of the current language policy in the country was obtained during the analysis of legal documents. Foreign languages of global importance are in great demand among young people, increasingly studying these languages, they delve into the origins of this language, study the history of this country and through this prism the phenomenon of acculturation through language is observed. The author considers in more detail the status of the state language both de jure and de facto, and also considers in detail the position of the most widespread foreign languages in the republic. The language reforms carried out in the Republic of Azerbaijan mainly serve to strengthen the role of the Azerbaijani language as the state language and have the character of linguistic purism. Despite the ongoing reforms in the field of strengthening the state language, we are also considering a balanced language policy with regard to other languages existing on the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the purpose of which is to preserve linguistic pluralism.

DOI: 10.25136/2409-8698.2024.1.69619

Abstract: The subject of the study is the dividing issues-hedges in the speech of the British working class. The purpose of the work is to determine the features of their functioning as a means of speech fencing (hedging). The main communicative tasks for which representatives of the British working class resort to using the structure of the dividing question in order to hedge their statements are identified: expression of opinion, criticism, statement of fact, assumption, proposal, demand, request for information and intention. A number of patterns have also been identified when using ascending or descending nuclear tones in the second half of the dividing questions used as hedges. The material of the study is the dialogues of the characters, representatives of the modern London working class, of the movie "Sorry We Missed You" (2019, directed by K. Loach) in the original language. The work uses linguistic and contextual analysis in order to classify the research material. Audit and electroacoustic analysis of statements were also carried out using the Praat program. The novelty of the study lies in the choice of material and subject of the study: the film "Sorry We Missed You" has not been considered by linguists as a material for analyzing the rhythmic dynamics of English speech, and the features of hedging in communication of the British working class remain extremely poorly studied. The study showed that hedging, allowing communicants to maintain each other's personal boundaries, is not always a means of making a statement polite, as it is often used even in conflict situations. The emotional state of the addressee does not reduce the need to apply a speech separation strategy (including using the structure of the dividing question), but it affects its rhythmic and melodic design. Other important factors in choosing the intonation of hedges are the desire to continue or end the conversation, as well as the gender of the speaker.

DOI: 10.25136/2409-8698.2023.11.69035

Abstract: This article is devoted to the linguistic and linguocultural study of numerative phraseological units with a religious component in the Russian and Chinese languages. The object of this research is the idioms of the Russian and Chinese languages of religious themes, which contain the components of the numerals two and three. The subject of this research is the linguistic and national-cultural features of Russian and Chinese phraseological units with a religious component. Such methods as the method of continuous sampling, the descriptive method, the comparative method, linguoculturological analysis and etymological analysis are used in the research. The scientific novelty of the research lies in the fact that the similarities and differences in the perception of the spiritual identity of the Russian and Chinese ethnos are revealed on the basis of phraseological units with numerals in the linguoculturological aspect. The result of the comparison of idioms with the numerical components two and three in the two languages is a confirmation of the opposite attitude to the numbers of the Russians and the Chinese, in particular, it is noted that the Chinese culture gravitates towards even numbers, and the Russian culture – towards odd numbers. The conclusions and materials of this article can be used in the preparation of general and special courses, the results of this work will facilitate and accelerate the integration of foreign students into the Russian and Chinese linguistic and cultural environment.

DOI: 10.25136/2409-8698.2024.4.70435

Abstract: The subject of the study is the concept of "Bogatyrstvo" and its structural and semantic features. Bogatyrstvo is inextricably linked with the hero and with the plot of epics. In epics, it is perceived as a concept-script, that is, it is formed in the process of the entire narrative. However, the original structure of the concept is presented as a conceptual field of meanings inscribed in a more complex structural formation – the ethical concept of "Courage". The relevance of the research is dictated by the high precedent of the name of the concept and its dominant verbalizers. The semantic field of the concept is explored in etymological, historical and topical layers. The main semantic load of the etymological layer of the concept is formed in the Church Slavonic language. The historical layer is vividly represented in the dictionaries of the XIX and XX centuries, the latter captures the limitation of the "existence" of the concept by the genre of epic. The actual layer is revealed in the process of studying the consciousness of modern students. The purpose of the article is to identify the reference points (slots) that formed the basis of the concept. A special contribution of the authors and the novelty of the study is the conduct of a semantic experiment, which established that in the minds of modern native speakers, the concept Bogatyrstvo, for which analysis methods were used (analysis of dictionary definitions and contextual analysis of epics), semantic analysis (the "supporting" semantic shares of the concept of "Bogatyrstvo" were identified, their key verbalizers were highlighted) and the method of semantic experiment to identify the modern perception of the concept. The main conclusions of the study: 1) the concept of "Bogatyrstvo" has a static frame structure and a field structure, including slots "spiritual strength" and "physical strength". Spiritual strength lies in the constant readiness to stand up for the motherland as a manifestation of true courage and heroism; in the fate of the hero-defender, ordained from above; in the Christian faith. The physical strength of the hero is, as it were, the personification of the whole strength of the Russian people, given by God. 2) These slots are present in the epics in the dynamic structure of the script: the slot "physical force" unfolds to the whole epic action; the slot "spiritual force" is expressed through the entire epic narrative – this is the very motivation for action. A special contribution of the authors and the novelty of the study is the conduct of a semantic experiment, which established that in the minds of modern native speakers, the concept of "Bogatyrstvo" is presented statically and includes both slots, with the predominance of the slot "spiritual power".

DOI: 10.25136/2409-8698.2024.1.69716

Abstract: The subject of this article is the linguistic means of creating a linguistic and cultural image of Tunisia in the memoirs of Galina Aleksandrovna Makhrova "My Tunisia". The studied linguistic units are considered as representatives of the linguistic and cultural codes of Tunisia – subject, spatial, biomorphic, temporal, spiritual. The linguistic and cultural code in the article refers to the verbally implemented code of national culture. The functions of such linguistic units as vocabulary with a national cultural component (vocabulary of the thematic groups "Clothes", "Cosmetics", "Food and drinks"), proper names (toponyms and anthroponyms), adjectives with a color component in the space of the Russian literary text are analyzed. The influence of the author's linguistic personality as a representative of another (Russian) linguistic culture and a representative of a certain profession (artist) on the choice of linguistic means of creating an image of the country as both his own and someone else's space is assessed. Research methods: descriptive method, methods of analysis and synthesis, linguistic and cultural analysis of a literary text, the method of continuous sampling of linguistic units with a national cultural component and the method of component analysis to identify culturally specific semes of their lexical meaning. The novelty of this study is related to the research material (memoirs of G.A. Makhrova) - the subject of the study (the linguistic and cultural codes of Tunisia are studied in terms of its perception by a native speaker of a different linguistic culture, who feels himself a part of both Tunisian and Russian linguistic cultures) - description of the linguistic and cultural code of Tunisia, taking into account the peculiarities of the linguistic personality of the author of the text: G.A. Makhrova perceives many linguistic and cultural details in a special way, since he is a professional artist. The analyzed language material allows us to draw the following conclusions: 1. In the Tunisian subject code, the linguistic units of the thematic groups "Clothing", "Cosmetics", "Food and drinks" are of particular importance. 2. The spatial code is mainly represented by toponyms, among which the names of hills, as well as beaches and resort towns predominate. Among proper names, a group of names associated with the history of Tunisia stands out, which creates the image of Tunisia as a country with a rich past, located at the crossroads of civilizations. 3. The phytonymic symbol of Tunisia in the work is jasmine. 4. G.A. Makhrova is a professional artist, and therefore adjectives of color play a significant role in creating the image of Tunisia. 5. The names of the deities are associated with the spiritual code of Tunisia.

DOI: 10.25136/2409-8698.2024.2.69820

Abstract: In modern linguistics, research is actively developing aimed at cognizing the surrounding reality, verbalized by linguistic units of a particular language. At the same time, of course, interdisciplinary research, including both linguistic and extralinguistic data, is of particular value. The relevance of our article is the comparison of the concepts of YOUTH and JUVENTUD as fragments of the linguistic picture of the world of the Russian-speaking and Spanish-speaking peoples based on the synthesis of linguocultural and linguocognitive approaches to the study of concepts. The purpose of the work is to identify and compare the conceptual features of the above-mentioned concepts in Russian and Spanish linguistic cultures based on lexicographic sources and using extralinguistic socio-demographic data. The results obtained can find practical application in lexicographical activity. In our study, the conceptual features of the concepts of YOUTH and JUVENTUD were reconstructed based on the data of explanatory, encyclopedic, etymological dictionaries of the Russian and Spanish languages. The conceptual features of the mentioned concepts were identified by understanding the semantic scope of the names of the concepts: the lexemes youth, young in Russian and juventud, joven – in Spanish. Despite the fact that the concept of YOUTH was previously the subject of scientific analysis in the works of Russian linguists, a comparative study of the conceptual features of the concepts of YOUTH and JUVENTUD in Russian and Spanish linguistic cultures has not been conducted before, which is the novelty of the article. It was revealed that the coinciding conceptual features include: 1) a certain life stage of a person between adolescence and adulthood; 2) characteristic of youth; 3) the first stage of life / existence (about an animal, plant, phenomenon); 4) younger in age or time. It was also found that the period of youth for speakers of Spanish linguoculture covers a greater number of years, compared with the same period in Russian linguoculture, which is due to extralinguistic factors – a longer life expectancy in a Spanish-speaking society. In addition, for native Russian speakers, YOUTH is often associated with ‘immaturity, weakness’, while in Spanish linguoculture JUVENTUD is perceived as a period of ‘flourishing, strength, energy'.

DOI: 10.25136/2409-8698.2024.3.70124

Abstract: The subject of the study is the producing motivational bases of nominees in the Chinese and Russian languages. The object of the study is naming in two cultures. The author examines in detail such aspects of the topic as the theory of nomination and its unique features in relation to Chinese and Russian linguistic cultures; the concept of naming and the process of creating onyms in two languages under the influence of historical background. Particular attention is paid to the Chinese tone, which influences the creation of ononyms, as well as a comparative study of onoms in the Chinese and Russian languages. The study was based on provisions formulated by linguists who study issues related to naming and nomination theory: Y.Y. Huang, A.K.K. Chan, V. Mathesius and others. Research methods: systematization and generalization, etymological analysis, conceptual analysis, linguocultural analysis. The main conclusions of the study are the provisions formulated based on the results of the comparative analysis: in Chinese culture, names are chosen to convey certain meanings and connotations. Chinese proper names often consist of two or three characters, with the surname coming first. Surnames are usually passed down through generations and carry with them a deep sense of tradition and origin. Names are often chosen to reflect virtues or values that parents hope to embody in their child. Names can also be chosen based on elements of Chinese astrology, such as the five elements and 12 animal signs. In Russian culture, names also have important meaning and are chosen based on many factors. They usually consist of a first name, a patronymic (derived from the father's name) and a last name. Surnames are usually inherited and reflect the ethnic or regional origin of the family. Names may be chosen based on religious significance, family traditions, or popular trends. The author’s special contribution to the study of the topic is that the article summarizes the main similarities and differences in Russian and Chinese naming. The novelty of the study lies in the fact that for the first time, based on etymological analysis, it established the relevant features of naming in the Chinese and Russian languages, which are also presented in a comparative aspect.

DOI: 10.25136/2409-8698.2023.11.69007

Abstract: The paper elaborates on the European fairy tale literature as an outstanding literary phenomenon This genre has evolved for a long time, and it is considered within the national cultural code. A fairy tale is an inexhaustible source that allows us to realize the national and cultural identity within various linguistic cultures; to deliver the ethnic, historical, and national flavor. The paper provides a diachronic consideration of the evolution of the European fairy-tale literature, exemplified by Italian, French, German, English, and Spanish magical stories. A special emphasis is made on Italian folk tales and fables as a prototypical genre of the European fairy-tale literature. The research describes the development stages of the European fairy-tale literature, the history of its generating, and resulted in identifying specific features of this genre in European literature, in discovering national differences in the European fairy tale, in defining development patterns for European magical story plots. The authors have specified the role of a fairy tale as a unique sociocultural phenomenon, its contribution to the development of European society. As a result of the research there have been analyzed similarities and differences between European literary fairy tales. It has been proven that European magical stories have a lot in common, which make them accessible and understandable to people of other linguistic cultures. The obtained results confirm the fact that a fairy tale mirrors the language picture of the world and cultural identity of the nation.

DOI: 10.25136/2409-8698.2024.1.69478

Abstract: This article is devoted to the linguistic and cultural description of the national personality in Russian and Chinese. The subject of this study is the Russian and Chinese language personality. The object of this study represents national cultural similarities and differences; Russian and Chinese national personalities. The purpose of the study is to identify universal and national-specific linguistic and cultural features of Russian and Chinese national personalities based on phraseological units, proverbs of Russian and Chinese languages, which reflect the concept of "religion". The practical significance of the work lies in the fact that the lexico-semantic and linguocultural analysis of phraseological units, proverbs of religious subjects can be used in educational activities in courses of lexicology, linguoculturology, linguistic and cultural studies, sociolinguistics. The provisions and conclusions of the study can be applied in lexicographic practice in compiling dictionaries of phraseological units, as well as in the practice of teaching Russian as a foreign language, spreading Chinese culture in Russia. To solve the problem, the following research methods are used: the method of continuous sampling of material from dictionaries of the Russian and Chinese languages, the method of linguistic and cultural commentary and the comparative-contrastive method. Russian and Chinese national personalities are analyzed for the first time in the article, which has not previously been described in the aspect of comparative linguoculturology, the traditional national religious value of Russian and Chinese personalities is considered for the first time, their stereotypical ideas and character traits under the influence of religion are indicated. This is the scientific novelty of this study. The research shows that phraseological units and proverbs with the concept of religion recorded in Russian and Chinese lexicographic sources differ in quantity and content. The universal traditional religious values of the compared national personalities include faith in the existence of evil and good spirits, love of kindness and the idea of the goodness of human nature. Unlike the Russian people, the Chinese national personality is characterized by non-religion. For the Chinese personality, such religious values as longevity and immortality, great kindness, the desire for a simple life and love of nature, reward for good and evil, the concept of cause and effect, pious faith in the Buddha are of great importance; and for the Russian, a sense of guilt, thirst for suffering and the self-worth of the sacrifice itself, kindness, hard work, patience and faith.

DOI: 10.25136/2409-8698.2024.1.69495

Abstract: This article represents an in-depth linguistic analysis of the use of green color in the Russian and French languages. The richness of phraseological expressions and lexical turns associated with this color is examined in diverse contexts. The primary focus is on denoting plants, nature, and metaphorical meanings, such as associations with youth and emotions. The study covers various domains of green color use, including its connection with playing cards, money, and alcohol. The author aims to uncover how the color interacts with cultural concepts and perceptions in different linguocultural environments of Russian and French languages, providing a profound understanding of the multilayered semantics of the color green. The research is based on a comprehensive analysis of linguistic materials, including a comparative analysis of phraseological units in Russian and French. Methods of semantic analysis, cultural context, and historical-linguistic comparison are applied. The work relies on authentic texts and integrates cultural and linguistic history to reveal nuanced aspects of green color usage. The study offers a deep analysis of phraseological units involving the green color, identifying their cultural, linguistic, and semantic aspects in the context of Russian and French languages. The work unveils common features and unique characteristics of green color usage, providing readers with a profound understanding of its significance in various linguistic and cultural paradigms. The scientific novelty lies in the full-scale analysis of linguistic material and the exploration of the influence of cultural factors on color perception in language. The research enriches linguistic science, offering valuable insights into the realm of cultural interaction through the language prism. It inspires further investigations into the semantics of color and linguistic anthropology, introducing new perspectives and understanding into discussions on the impact of color perception on cultural norms and customs.

DOI: 10.25136/2409-8698.2023.12.69285

Abstract: This article discusses the semantics and symbolism of primary colors in Kalmyk and Korean traditional cultures. The subject of our research is the content of the basic concepts of color terms in the linguistic picture of the world of Kalmyks and Koreans. Linguistic and cultural analysis of color terms in the languages under consideration allows us to determine the universal and specific features of the linguistic picture of the world, which represent the historical, cultural, social experience of two peoples, accumulated as a result of their development. The research material is proverbs and stable expressions of the Kalmyk and Korean languages. The study of basic colors in these languages is based on the theory of Yin-Yang and the Five Elements, which symbolize opposites that are closely related to each other. A comparative analysis of Korean and Kalmyk material identified and revealed valuable information related to the mentality, traditions and customs of these peoples, and showed the important role of color in the linguistic picture of the world of the two peoples. Color affects the social, religious, moral, emotional and interpersonal relationships of people. Despite the fact that each nation has its own way of seeing the world in its own way, analyzing various phenomena of the surrounding reality, the analysis of the material made it possible to establish that the worldview of the two peoples in terms of spiritual and moral values indicates their related cultural ties. The author examines in detail the power of the influence of color on the worldview of different peoples through the language of folklore, which will bring a fresh perspective to this area. The following methods were used in the study: comparative, comparative-typological, structural-semantic, comparative-historical, etymological and the method of complex conceptual-semantic analysis.

DOI: 10.25136/2409-8698.2023.12.69220

Abstract: This article is devoted to the characteristics of Russian and Chinese national personalities based on the material of phraseological units, proverbs, and sayings with the concept of "family." The subjects of this study are Russian national personality (RNL) and Chinese national personality (CNL). The object of the study is the universal and national-specific linguistic and cultural features of Russian and Chinese national personalities. The practical significance of the work lies in the fact that the lexical-semantic and linguocultural analysis of phraseological units, proverbs, and sayings of family subjects can be used in educational activities in courses of lexicology, linguoculturology, linguistic and cultural studies, and sociolinguistics. The provisions and conclusions of the study can be applied in lexicographic practice in compiling dictionaries of phraseological units, as well as in the practice of teaching Russian as a foreign language and spreading Chinese culture in Russia. To solve the problem, the following research methods are used: continuous sampling of material from dictionaries of the Russian and Chinese languages, linguistic and cultural commentary, and comparative-contrastive methods. Russian and Chinese national personalities are considered for the first time in the article, which has yet to previously be described in a comparative aspect. The family's traditional spiritual and cultural values of Russian and Chinese cultures are analyzed for the first time. Their ideas and attitudes toward marriage, love, women, men, wives, husbands, parents, children, and relations to relatives indicate common or different cultural attitudes among representatives of both linguistic cultures. This is the scientific novelty of this study. This study shows that phraseological units, proverbs, and sayings with the concept of family recorded in Russian and Chinese lexicographic sources differ in quantitative and substantive terms. Russian and Chinese personalities view traditional family values such as marriage, love, women, men, wives, husbands, parents, children, relatives, etc. differently. For the Chinese, family and kinship relations are of great importance, and the preservation of these relations is carried out with the help of cultural values such as marital harmony, procreation, filial piety, fraternal friendship, and peaceful family relations.

DOI: 10.25136/2409-8698.2023.12.69244

Abstract: Kalmyk meteorological vocabulary related to lifestyle, environment and mentality belongs to the primordial stratum, as in other closely related languages of the Altai family. The commonality of the grammatical foundations of this vocabulary is confirmed by lexicographic data recorded in old Mongolian, Kalmyk and Turkic sources. The object of the study is nominative units (words, phrases and phraseological units) in the Kalmyk language, denoting the weather phenomena of the off-season. Special attention is paid to the meteorological vocabulary of the off-season of the autumn-winter intermediate period. The relevance of this study is related to the study of meteorological vocabulary in the Kalmyk language, the identification of the features of the linguistic picture of the world of the people as a whole and its influence on vocabulary. The linguistic and cultural analysis of meteorological vocabulary makes it possible to consider the life and culture of the Kalmyk people. This article uses a descriptive method, a comparative method, a method of linguistic and cultural analysis of lexical units. The meteorological vocabulary of the off-season is considered in this article taking into account the modern linguistic and cultural orientation and is presented in the aspect of an interdisciplinary category: a) the role of this phenomenon in human life (natural landmarks and human locations); b) the vocabulary of the off-season and related human economic activity; c) the comparative and evaluative feature of the use of this vocabulary in oral and written samples in the languages under consideration. The Kalmyk meteorological vocabulary of the off-season is an independent integral category that is present in all Mongolian and Turkic languages, recorded in old-written sources and has retained its original meaning in the modern Kalmyk language. This vocabulary reflects the peculiarities of the linguistic picture of the world and worldview, the specifics of the way of life and the inner world of the Kalmyks and is universal for other closely related peoples belonging to the Altai linguistic community.