Ob-Ugric Institute of Applied Researches and Development, Khanty-Mansiysk, Russian Federation, syazia@mail.ru
ABSTRACT
Introduction: the article examines the semantics of the universal evaluative adjective jӑm ‘good’ in the Khanty language. It is proved that its meaning goes beyond abstract positive evaluation and is determined by functional-pragmatic and worldview attitudes.
Objective: to identify and systemically describe the semantic features and functions of the evaluative adjective jӑm ‘good’ in the Khanty language, as well as to determine the cultural factors that influence its usage in various contexts.
Research materials: corpus of examples extracted from published sources in the Western dialects of the Khanty language.
Results and novelty of the research: based on published texts and field recordings from the Kazym, Shuryshkar, and Uralic dialects, the article analyzes the combination of the lexeme jӑm with the names of objects, natural phenomena, and space. In all examples, the evaluative
function of jӑm marks positive characteristics of objects that are important in everyday life and culture. The semantics of jӑm reflects the traditional lifestyle of the Khanty people, who are reindeer herders, hunters, fishermen, and gatherers. The language captures precisely those parameters of the environment that are of practical significance for survival and well-being. A key semantic mechanism has been identified – a shift from the assessment of quality to the assessment of the function and usefulness of an object for human life. It has been established that the assessment of jӑm is a distinctive feature of the Khanty system of cultural values, reflecting a careful attitude towards objects, the importance of craftsmanship, dependence on natural conditions, and the sacralization of space. The scientific novelty of the study lies in the comprehensive analysis of the word jӑm ‘good’ in the Khanty language, which reveals its role as a universal cultural and worldview marker. For the first time, the semantics of the adjective jӑm ‘good’ in the Khanty language dialects are examined.
Key words: Khanty language, adjective, semantics, positive evaluation, functionality, linguistic worldview, dialects
For citation: Shiyanova A. A. Semantics of the adjective jӑm ‘good’ in the Khanty language: from quality expression to functional assessment // Vestnik ugrovedenia = Bulletin of Ugric Studies. 2025; 15 (4/63): 725–733.