The Expression of Reflexivity in Jokūbas Morkūnas’ Postil (1600): the Relation with the Original Cover Image

Refleksyvumo raiska Jokubo Morkuno Postileje (1600): santykis su orginalu
The Expression of Reflexivity in Jokūbas Morkūnas’ Postil (1600): the Relation with the Original

Author(s): Bronius Maskuliūnas
Subject(s): Language and Literature Studies
Published by: Instytut Slawistyki Polskiej Akademii Nauk
Keywords: Old writings; reflexivity; Jokūbas Morkūnas; Mikolaj Rej

Summary/Abstract: The paper analyses the expression of reflexivity in one of the largest Lithuanian writings of the 16-17th c., the so-called Jokūbas Morkūnas’ Postil (MP). In the sermons of the examined source, the model of expressing reflexivity characterized by the usage of a reflexive pronoun, neutral in relation to a person, number and gender clearly predominates. The predominance of such model I constructions differentiates the MP from other writings of the period; however, the comparison of the data of Morkūnas’ Postil with the correspondences of the original – with the Polish text of Mikołaj Rej’s Postil (RP) – allows us to say that such expression of reflexivity is not a direct merit of the translator of Calvinist Postil. The majority of the reflexive constructions of MP sermons coincide with the RP constructions. Usually in places where Rej uses reflexivity expression model I in his text, Morkūnas employs the same model, while constructions of model II, when non-reflexive pronouns are used reflexively in the area of first and second person, comparatively seldom found in Rej’s text, are also translated by Morkūnas by using model II constructions. Consequently, while investigating the expression of reflexivity in old Lithuanian writings and stating in this context that the language of the sermons of Morkūnas’ Postil is especially valuable in terms of the abundance of reflexive constructions of model I, the tribute should, first of all, be given to Mikolaj Rej.

  • Issue Year: 2006
  • Issue No: 30
  • Page Range: 165-172
  • Page Count: 8
  • Language: Lithuanian