On the semantics of the verbal prefix o-/ob- in Russian vernacular dialects (based on vocabulary denoting consciousness disorders)

The article examines the system of meanings of the verbal prefix o-/ob- as participating in the formation of dialectal denominations of consciousness disorders. In the course of study, the lexical data were divided depending on the nature of the motivating word stem. O-/ob- denominal and verbal derivatives were also divided into subgroups. Certain types of semantic relations between the original word and the derivative were studied within the subgroups. The meanings of the affix identified on the basis of the standard language data are mostly relevant to dialect vocabulary; however, the noted models often turn out to be more productive in vernacular dialects: the meaning ‘to become like the object named by the motivating stem’ (c. f. the standard language word okamenét’, i. e., to become like a stone ‘because of surprise, fear, etc., to freeze’) is embodied in the Northern ostolópit’sya (because of fright, amazement, etc.), which means to ‘become like a stolóp’, i.e., a pillar (Novg., Leningr., Zaonezh., Olon., North., Kalin.), in the Yaroslav., Olon. ostozhít’ ‘to become motionless because of fright, amazement, etc.’ (‘to become like a hay stack’), etc. In cases of de-etymologization of the inner form, we propose an interpretation of the linguistic fact. For example, the Arkh. lexeme oburét’ (obyrét’) ‘to come to one’s senses’ is referred to the subgroup of the perfectivation meaning (bring to an end) since there should be restored the prefix ob- and the root -vyr- (with the general meaning of a positive internal change) (c. f. the Tver., Novg. word vyrét’ ‘get used to, acquire skills in something’). The root has undergone transformations on the morphemic seam. The ‘activation’ of different meanings of the prefix during word formation leads to the polarization: the Olon. obumét’ ‘to go out of mind, to become stupid, to become forgetful’ and the Murman. obumét’ ‘to get smart’.