Russian root vowel variation (according to the “Dictionary of morphemes of the russian language” by A. I. Kuznetsova and T. F. Efremova)

Abstract

The article is devoted to the consideration of a number of typical cases of vowel alternation in the native Russian root. The “Dictionary of morphemes of the Russian language” by A. I. Kuznetsova and T. F. Efremova, which presents (in orthographic notation) root morphs combined into morphemes, is the object of research. The subject of the study is the positional variation of the vocalism of the native Russian roots. The positions in which the phonetic variation of the hyperphoneme {E/O/Ø} occurs are considered. It is also concluded that in a number of roots, the hyperphoneme {E/O/Ø} can be represented partially, but not completely: by a pair or one of the steps of alternation. The alternations {E/O/Ø}, {E/O} and {Ē/Ō}, {O/Ø}, {E}, {O}, {Ø = ъ / ь}, as well as combinations of parts of this hyperphoneme with sonants R-L-M-N-V-J are considered. The alternation of vowelsin native roots is a legacy of the morphologized {E/O/Ø} alternation in the Indo-European proto-language, complicated by phonetic interaction with subsequent sonants, as well as the “lengthening effect” of subsequent suffixes =A/YVA and stressed labialization before the hard consonant of the vowel [E]: /E/ > /’O/. The yperphoneme {E/O/Ø} can be represented not entirely, but by a combination of parts or by separate parts of its own. The combinations of parts of this hyperphoneme with sonants lead to the formation of biphones: ‘Aьn, Аьn, Аьm, Уou. The postsonant (according to the South Slavic type) allocation of the vocal adventitious sound by the sonants R, L leads to the implementation of the phonemes {O}, {E} in the “lengthened” version – in the form of phones / Ао>ō/, /ҍe>ē/. Epentheses /j/ and /n/ at the prefixed junction, not being part of the root, eliminate the hiatus and cover the root morpheme. The practice of identifying roots in [“Dictionary of morphemes of the Russian language”] shows that root extenders do not violate the identity of root morphemes and do not change their semantics, and therefore can be interpreted as epentheses – but not pre-root (at the prefix junction), but post-root (at the suffix junction).