Russian verbs with power suffix =i

Abstract

The article is devoted to the study of 9110 Russian verbs with one power suffix =I. The authors suggest the hypothesis that the main function of the suffix =I is to form denominative verbs, including causative ones. In addition to them, the suffix =I forms loan-translation base. The analysis of 433 verbs with =I with root vocalism -I proves the hypothesis suggest at the beginning of the study about the denominative origin of verbs with the suffix =I, including causative ones, and loan-translation. Of the many verbs with root vocalism, the identified causative verbs require special attention are immobilize, weaken, blue, grease, bend, touch, revive. The analysis showed that the verb to immobilize is an echo-mimicking and denominative one, consisting of the root DVI- and the classifier of onomatopoeia =G =a (t’). The verb to weaken is denominative, in which I is diphthongic (from *EY). The verbs to blue are formed from the adjective blue, they are late nominated verbs with the root Si- and Proto-Indo-European suffix =N. The verbs to grease and to revive have the same root -gei, and are late denominative verbs with the Proto-Indo-European characteristic nominative suffix =p. The verb to bend is a causative abbreviation of the adjective curved. The causative verb to touch, formed from the adjective lovely, is a late nominated verb with the Proto-Indo-European suffix =L. The analysis of the revealed 8 causative verbs with –I showed that these verbs do not contradict the hypothesis of the denominative origin of verbs with the suffix =I.