IMAGES AND SYMBOLS IN MARI VERBAL CHARMS

Glukhova Natalia
Prof. Dr., Mari State University, The Russian Federation, gluhnatalia@mail.ru

Abstract

This paper presents a description of images and symbols in Mari verbal charms based on the results of a multifold investigation. With the present interest in a spiritual culture of the Mari ethnos, with the development of innovative techniques in philological studies a complex analysis of linguistic features of folklore texts will help to show the role of verbal charms in the reconstruction of Mari ethnic identity.

Mari verbal charms are considered an integral part of the national spiritual culture, a principal constituent of its magic domain, reflecting ethnic feelings, emotions and pragmatic goals. The research is carried out with the help of a complex technique applied to 600 texts from different collections.

The process of investigation of leading components of ethnic mentality and identity includes several steps. The most important of these is the semantic analysis which includes componential and contextual types that help to discern four main groups both of images and symbols respectively significant for Mari mentality and ethnic culture definition.

Quantitative data evaluation reveals the most widespread groups of images and symbols significant for Mari mentality and ethnic culture definition as it singles out a dominant group by a dichotomous method, applying the principle of simple majority employed in mathematical statistics. The same technique divides the other images and symbols into complementary, auxiliary, and insignificant groups. In comparison with a symbol an image is characterized by a lesser degree of generalization.

Theoretical framework of the research includes concepts and ideas on the general theory of text, pragmalinguistics and linguistic stylistics. In this work a systemic-functional approach as a methodological basis is widely used.

Keywords: image, symbol, componential analysis, contextual analysis, system theory, dichotomous method, ethnic mentality and identity.