(the Altai language data)
In the history of description of Altai tense forms, the past tense is represented by a wide
range, from 2 to 8 forms (=dy, =gan, =y / AtAn, =(Y)ptYr; =yp d’at + ty; =yp + tur=dy, =GAn
ӓdi, =Yp tur=gan ӓdi, =y / AtAn ӓdi, =GAn bol=gon). Therefore, the area of the past tense in the
Altai language is broader than that of the present tense and future tense.
The paper offers a description and analysis of analytical forms of Altai past tense. Special at-
tention is paid to complicated analytical constructions consisting of 3 components, with the first
being a full verb in the form of an adverbial participle with =(Y)p, and the second – a contraction
of two motion verbs: kel= ‘to come’ и bar= ‘to leave’, which, apart from their main meanings,
can also serve as function elements, namely, as directive markers of direction and localization
(as second elements of analytical constructions). The third element is a contracted auxiliary verb
јат= ‘to lie’ (br=aat / bar=aat / barat / baradat (from < bar=yp d’at (+at)); br=aat=ty /
bar=at=ty (from < bar=Yp d’at + ty); kl=eet / kel=et / kel-ed=et (from < kel=ip d’at (+at));
kl=eet=ti / kel=et=ti (from < kel=ip d’at + ty); bratkan / braatkan / baratkan (from < bar=yp
d’at + kan), kletken / kleetken / keletken (from < kel=ip d’at + kan).
In the forms presented, one may observe a unification of construction elements into a single
phonetic word form. At this stage, the inner structure is transparent, and it is easy to see which
elements of the analytical construction are assimilated, and which auxiliary verb participates in
the process of contraction. Desemantization of verb forms serves as the basis for these innovatory
modifications of phonetic appearances of analytical constructions. A detailed analysis of mean-
ings and usage of contracted forms and constructions in the context of their evolution is provided.
The author demonstrates the polyfunctionality of these finite forms, defines their relevant mean-
ings, and indicates certain aspects of their usage. Such constructions are thought to belong still to
the periphery of the tense field and can be currently described as aspectual-temporal-modal forms
or constructions that merely complement the verb paradigm.
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(the Altai language data) // Сибирский филологический журнал. 2019. № 4. Pp. 253–266. DOI: 10.17223/18137083/69/22.