Symbolism of the number seven in Tuvan linguoculture (in comparison with Turkic, Mongolian and Chinese languages)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25178/nit.2023.4.19Keywords:
Tuvan language; Tuvan folklore; Turkic languages; Mongolian language; Chinese language; numerical symbolism; numerical code; phraseology; paremiologyAbstract
The article conducts an analysis of Tuvan phraseological units and folklore texts featuring the numerical component “chedi” (seven). The research endeavors to scrutinize the symbolism inherent in the numeral “chedi” within phraseological constructs across diverse categories and folklore narratives within the Tuvan linguistic framework, contextualized against the backdrop of several Turkic, Mongolian, and Chinese languages. The selection of the number is substantiated by its distinct significance not only within the Tuvan linguistic milieu but also within the broader spectrum of the linguacultures under consideration. Notably, the number seven holds a distinctive position within Chinese linguacultural contexts. The study is predicated on an examination of materials comprising phraseological units, including proverbs, as well as instances extracted from folklore texts residing in the author's database. These materials were methodically derived through a comprehensive sampling methodology drawn from lexicographical sources encompassing Tuvan, Khakas, Altai, Mongolian, Buryat, Kalmyk, and Chinese languages.
Folklore narratives and phraseological units within the Tuvan linguacultural domain predominantly derive their thematic essence from the symbolism encapsulated in the number “chedi”, coupled with its sacrosanct character. This numerical representation encapsulates mythologized perspectives held by the Tuvan populace concerning temporal and spatial dimensions, concurrently expressing the conceptual underpinning of multiplicity, abundance, and symbolically aligning with the numerical counterpart “tos” (nine). A discernible congruence in the symbolism of the numeral seven emerges with the linguacultural milieus of the scrutinized Turkic and Mongolian ethnic groups. This affinity is explicable through the inherent relationship among Turkic and Mongolian languages within the Altaic language family, coupled with shared historical trajectories and the linguacultural transference characterizing the Tuvan, Mongol, and Buryat communities. The pervasive influence of Buddhism, along with its symbolic lexicon, is duly acknowledged. Notably, the numerical significance of seven assumes a heightened status among Mongolian ethnicities. A conjecture posited within the study posits that the symbolic representation of the numeral seven is intricately connected with mathematical considerations, as seven represents the largest prime number within the initial decadal sequence.
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Bredis M. A. and Xue B. Simvolika chisla sem’ v tuvinskoi lingvokul’ture (na fone riada tiurkskikh, mongol’skikh i kitaiskogo iazykov) [Symbolism of the number seven in Tuvan linguoculture (in comparison with Turkic, Mongolian and Chinese languages)]. New Research of Tuva, 2023, no. 4, pp. 274-289. DOI: https://doi.org/10.25178/nit.2023.4.19
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Author Biographies
Michail A. Bredis, RUDN University
Candidate of Philology, Leading Researcher, Associate Professor of Department of Foreign Languages, Faculty of Philology, RUDN University.
Postal address: 6, Miklukho-Maklaya St., 117198, Moscow, Russian Federation.
E-mail: bredis-ma@rudn.ru
Xue Bohao, RUDN University
Postgraduate student at the Department of Foreign Languages, Faculty of Philology, RUDN University.
Postal address: 6, Miklukho-Maklaya St., 117198, Moscow, Russian Federation.
E-mail: xuebohao1997@yandex.ru
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