The Concept of Wealth (Bain) in Kalmyk Discourse: Analyzing Lexicographical and Folklore Materials

Introduction. The article examines the parametric concept of wealth which occupies an important place in a human value system. Goals. The paper attempts an insight into the concept of wealth (bain) in Kalmyk linguoculture. To facilitate this, the work shall identify and analyze linguistic means employed to represent the concept of wealth; describe some figurative and value components of the concept; outline certain features of behavior motivated by the investigated concept. Materials and methods. The study focuses on data from Kalmyk (Russia) and Oirat (Xinjiang, PRC) lexicographic sources, with due attention be paid to the Etymological Dictionary of Mongolic Languages. It employs tools of lexical/semantic analysis to specify somewhat essential content of the concept under consideration, tools of linguocultural analysis to describe figurative and value components of the concept. Results. The analysis shows the Kalmyk language contains a variety of means to verbalize the concept in question. The concept of wealth (bain) has a field structure, namely: the core is formed by the lexemes bain, elvg, zӧӧr, mal; their derivatives and set phrases cluster together to shape the near periphery; while cultural texts associated with wealth constitute the far periphery. Conclusions. The essential content of the examined concept is reduced to the possession of resources (gold, silver, livestock, money). Its figurative components indicate an individual with a large fortune who is smart, lucky, diligent enough, but is equally generous and stingy, has no debts and is surrounded by friends. In Kalmyk discourse, wealth is associated with the value concepts arranged as follows: wisdom (wit) is the utmost wealth, the average one is children, while the minor one be livestock. The harsh conditions of livestock breeding had developed a philosophical attitude towards wealth within the community. So, when it comes to wealth, it is believed priority should be given to spiritual (immortal) gems rather than material ones, humans be patient in work and stay away from any theft. 

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