Properties of the conjunction "though... although ..." and the structure he organizes in the structure of syntactic units of the modern Russian language

Li Lyanmei ORCID: 0000-0003-0312-7923 Postgraduate student, Higher School of Russian Philology, Pacific National University 680035, Russia, Khabarovsk Territory, Khabarovsk, ul. Pacific, 148, sq. 509 154965726@qq.com

1. Introduction

Modern linguistics is characterized by an increased interest in the integral description of linguistic linguistic units, including official ones (see: ^{[1; 6; 14; 16; 20]} and others), which is dictated by the need to represent each of them in the totality of categorical properties. This determines the relevance of this study.

The union at least ... at least ... is a little-studied means of syntactic communication. There are practically no special studies devoted specifically to him in Russian studies. In our article ^[5], the issues of the constructive properties and semantics of this union were considered, but the question remains about its functions and the structure organized by it as part of the main syntactic units: phrases and sentences (both simple and complex), as well as in the structure of the text, because the syntactic "behavior" of a particular union due to the specifics of this class of linguistic units, it is directly related to its categorical properties.

In this regard, the object of this study is the union at least ... at least ..., and its subject is the syntactic properties of this union. The purpose of the study is to describe the properties of the union though... at least... and the structure organized by him in the system of basic syntactic units (phrases, simple and complex sentences), as well as the study of the textual properties of the textual features of this union. This determines the specific tasks assigned to him, namely:

– consider the composition series with the union at least ... at least ... in terms of its relation / non-relation to the phrase;

– to explore its place in the system of secondary members of the sentence, in the composition of participial, adverbial phrases, as well as in the expression of additional predicativity;

– to find out the possibility / impossibility of functioning of a construction with at least ... at least ... in the structure of a complex sentence;

– to study the possibility of functioning at least... at least... as a secondary textual staple in the structure of a complex syntactic whole;

– to determine the possible relationship between syntactic behavior at least... at least ... and the features of its semantics.

2. Materials and methods

The empirical basis of the work is the facts of natural language, and specific linguistic material is extracted from the texts of modern fiction and journalistic literature of the "National Corpus of the Russian Language" ^[8].

The study uses the methodology of the Far Eastern Syntactic School ^{[6; 12; 18; 17; 19; 20]}, which consists in studying the contexts in which a particular service word functions, and a multiparameter description of it at various linguistic levels (morphological-syntactic, syntactic proper, communicative-pragmatic, etc.). Based on this, the connections of the service word are established with both the near and far syntactic environment. The data obtained are used for his extended lexicographic portrayal (see: ^{[6; 17]}).

3. Discussion

Let's consider the features of the functioning of the union, even ... even ... in the structure of a phrase, sentence (simple and complex), as well as text.

3.1 The phrase. The construction organized by the union at least ... at least ..., in relation to the phrase, can be viewed from various sides. For example:

And in two weeks we will finish the plan, then I will take off the seiner – go ahead even to Taganrog, even to the Arabat Bay ... [P. A. Sazhin. Tramontana (1959) // Sovremennik, 1977].

According to the academic interpretation, the compositional series of word forms, both in general and in our particular case (even in Taganrog, even in Arabat), cannot be understood as a phrase, because it recognizes as such only a compound based on subordinate relations between word forms ^{[13, pp. 13-82]}.

In turn, proponents of an expanded interpretation of this syntactic unit refer to phrases as "any syntactically organized (i.e. based on syntactic connection) combinations of a word with a word form and all combinations of syntactically related forms of words that do not have predicativity" ^{[3, p. 592]}. This, in their opinion, is due to the isomorphism of the language structure, in which "subordination and composition exist at all levels of the syntactic system" ^{[2, p. 169]}.

With this approach, the connection, even in Taganrog, even in Arabat, is a compositional phrase expressing separative relations.

There is also a compromise solution to the problem. Based on the position of A.M. Peshkovsky that "the composition within a sentence is only an episode against the background of subordination" ^{[11, p. 60]} L. V. Lisochenko speaks of the phrase "with a composed series of words as the main component" ^{[7, p. 13]}. In this case, the connection, even to Taganrog, even to Arabat Bay, is contaminated, in which the Taganrog and Arbat word forms are connected by a subordinate connection with the gulf word form, forming an integral syntactic structure.

However, K. Ya. Segal, relying on the same position of A.M. Peshkovsky, believes that "with the proper syntactic approach, the expansion of the scope of a phrase at the expense of compositional combinations is unjustified" ^{[15, p. 37]}, because in this case the concept of nominativity, mandatory for a phrase as such, is replaced by the concept of uniformity, which speaks generally about different positional distribution of "components of subordinate and typical compositional combinations in a sentence-utterance" ^{[15, p. 38]}.

We accept the academic interpretation of the phrase, and we do not refer to it as a compound, even in Taganrog, even in Arabat, as well as similar compounds with the union, even ... even ..., qualifying them as a series of composed word forms. As for the word forms with which such a series is connected by subordinate relations at the syntactic level (in our example, the bay), then, according to the concepts of constructive syntax (see: [Pleasant 2019]), we qualify them as a common member of the syntactic structure organized by this union.

3.2 A simple sentence. In a simple sentence, the union at least... at least ... organizes constructions that complicate its syntactic structure and qualify as rows of homogeneous members.

A row with the union is at least... at least ... capable of occupying the positions of any minor members of the proposal.

These can be agreed (a) and inconsistent (b) definitions:

a) Then anyone, even the elderly, even the young, will be able to easily navigate this vast territory. ["Is it possible to drive cars around the cemetery?" // Komsomolskaya Pravda, 2011.05.04], And if there is at least a thousandth, at least a hundredth, at least a faded chance for a tiny gap – then, of course, move, work (don't ask about the meaning. [Dmitry Bykov. "The results of the year? Let him forget himself!" Dmitry Bykov drew a line under 2016 // Novaya Gazeta];

b) If necessary, he could act on behalf of even the marshal, even the People's Commissar, without blinking an eye, without fearing the consequences [Vladimir Bogomolov. The Moment of Truth (In August of the forty-fourth...) (1973)]; Even contemplating your own nails, you can build a completely decent system, even of the universe, even of knowledge, even of daily plans. [Sergey Roganov. Homo mortem (2003) // Internet almanac "Swan", 19.10.2003].

Direct (a) and indirect (b) addition:

a) She gave me at least an illusion, even the ghost of love, and this is a truly royal, unpaid gift ... [A. I. Kuprin. The Telegraphist (1911)], In some shops you can freely buy even a dagger with brass knuckles, even a telescopic baton, even a taser. [Sergey Kukleev. Dagestani businessman // Komsomolskaya Pravda], By the way, the idea of printing yourself even a closet, even a plate, even shoes is also not a fantasy, but an unexpected future. [Yulia Smirnova. The robots are coming! // Komsomolskaya Pravda];

b) By the way, it offered not only a first-person view, but also the opportunity to play even for a seagull, even for a cat. [Game trailers of the week: Joan of Arc for Demons, Russian robots against // lenta.ru ], Sung in verse, Grigoriev could appear even as a bright angel, even as a golden knight, even as a white minstrel, but here ... [Yu. M. Nagibin. A locked gate].

Various semantic and syntactic types of circumstances:

(location) After all, they play anywhere, even on vacant lots in slums, even on asphalt, even on the beach [Ball on bare feet // "Ogonyok"]; (mode of action) And she also wanted to look at Yegorsha at least with one eye, even out of the corner of her eye: How is he today, sober? [Fyodor Abramov. Two winters and three summers]; (time) This will allow you to ride a bike without problems in any weather, even in summer or winter. [All over the world // "Knowledge is power"]. Etc.

If a syntactic series with a conjunction is at least... at least ... represented as a subject in a two-part sentence, then the common member of the series takes the predicate position. In this case, the connection between it and the composition series may be coordinated or uncoordinated. With coordinated communication, there is a lexical and grammatical agreement of the common member of the series with the composed word forms in the number:

This is at least our brother, even the German understands. [G. Belykh. The House of Merry Beggars].

In the case of uncoordinated communication, there is no agreement in the number:

... Could work miracles in a world so alien to Him, when even a spark, even a crack in the armor of our disbelief allowed Him to act. [Anthony (Bloom). Saturating the crowd with five loaves].

This is a well-known problem in the system of subject-predicative relations, which is solved by a communicative-pragmatic assessment of the situation by the speaker and the appropriate choice of the number of the predicative word form. V. Z. Sannikov sees here "agreement in meaning" ^{[14, p. 150]}, which O. S. Pekelis explains as follows: "the singular of the verb serves as a separate interpretation of conjuncts (as "simple atoms"), and the plural of the verb is their interpretation as "sets" ^{[10, p. 82]}.

As part of a predicate, a construction with the conjunction at least... at least ... can organize rows of homogeneous verbal predicates, and imperative word forms are the most frequent in them:

However, even if you regret such an exile, even if you welcome it, verbatim reproduction would not help anything here. [Irina Vasyuchenko. Lame on the slope // "Ark", 2014]; If anyone comes here to fish, it's the poachers alone. At least sing to them, even dance ... [M. B. Baru. "Prose is not written, it is not written" // "Volga", 2011]; – That's it, and now at least judge, at least accept, there is no turning back. [P. L. Proskurin. Issue. Parts III-IV (1967)]; Even gnaw with your teeth, even knock with your head – it's a dead matter. [D. Yemets. T. Grotter and the well of Poseidon]; – Come on... – At least drop it, at least pick it up, but this way. And I realized that this is how it is. [S. Lungin. Seen in reality]. Etc.

A number of scientists attribute such structures to the sphere of complex sentences (see: ^{[18, pp. 173-174]}), but we adhere to the traditional point of view on this issue.

The verbal word forms of the indicative mood are represented in predicate rows with the union of at least ... at least ... a small number of facts:

And even if it burns, even if it rots, we must have time to fall on the strip. [V. V. Ershov. The diary (1984) // Flight diaries. 1984-2002 / Prose.en]; Though I will ask, though I will beat you, do not give vodka, do not give money [G. Danilevsky. Fugitives in Novorossiya)]; I don't care about his mood. Let her cry, let her laugh. [Zaikin R. Spartak resisted in the Kuban. The youth of the red and white turned out to be more resilient than the hosts // Soviet sports].

In the structure of such series, not a single fact with verbs in the form of the subjunctive mood has been revealed.

The reasons for such "selectivity" of the union, at least ... at least ... we see in the prototypical semantics of its structural component, at least, etymologically ascending to the form of the imperative of the verb to want (*want) ^{[9, pp. 131-133]}. In other words, "the semantic and typological connection with the verb to want includes a construction organized by the union at least ... at least ... in the semantic field of the category of desirability" ^{[5, p. 40]}. This is what determines the orientation of this union towards the organization of imperative series of word forms. Cf.: if you want to go, if you want to stay, it doesn't matter // even if you go, even if you stay, it doesn't matter.

A series organized by the union at least... at least... can also be expressed by the nominal or infinitive part of a compound verb predicate. In such a situation, both semi-connective verbs and the bundle itself can act as a common member:

– For you, dear, I am ready to be at least a Rodion, at least a Novel, – someone answered. [S. I. Shulyak. Apartment number nine. A novel with devilry // "Volga", 2013]; Orestes, if you dare to say a word, even pretend that you have heard, I will hate you for the rest of my life ... [A. A. Potekhin. A profitable enterprise].

Being present in the structure of the participial, adverbial or infinitive turnover, the syntactic series with the union at least ... at least ... participates in the organization of additional predicativity. According to A. F. Paladkina, direct and indirect additional predicativity differ ^{[12, pp. 19-29]}. A direct line takes place if in the syntactic series with the union at least ... at least ... there is a word form that is the carrier of this function (participle, adverbial, infinitive). For example:

But not so long ago, under the General Secretaries, the writer rummaged through money like in trash, even if he was a frontrunner, even if he was a loyal subject, and was considered the second person after the patriarch of all Russia. [V. Piezukh. Letters from the village // "October"]; There he fell asleep instantly, even sitting, even standing: five minutes, yes – yours. [G. Ya. Baklanov. Waylander // "Banner"]; Whatever he says, I will do. Even to study, even to work, I will do everything!.. Just don't force me to marry Vanka Obnizov! [M. A. Sholokhov. The raised virgin land. Book 2].

Indirect additional predicativity is based on implicit indicators, and "an additional predicate in this case is either implied or revealed through lexical semantics" ^{[12, p. 21]}:

Even three hours, even five, be sure, no one will say a word. [M. Moskvina. Celestial slow walkers] (the predicate is implied – it will pass); Please, I will give you any explanation, even in writing, even as ... [Anatoly Rybakov. Heavy sand (1975-1977)] (the predicate is implied – being); Even bitter, even sweet, even salty, but the thought in the clip should be, not to mention that the clip is a hobby, not a profession. [Nonna Mordyukova. Kazachka (2005)] (the predicate is implied – let it be). Etc.

Mandatory for indirect predicativity in these examples is the communicative-pragmatic separation of the series with the union though ... though ..., expressed in punctuation marks on the letter, whereby the series is syntactically actualized and therefore receives predicative signs.

3.3 A complex sentence. The facts of the union's participation though... At least... We have not fixed the organization of a complex proposal. In this regard, at least ... at least ... it is fundamentally different from other separative unions, for example, from the same multi-place not that ... not that ..., either ... or ..., that ... that ..., which in one way or another, but function in a complex sentence:

I still can't figure out if she really didn't exist before, or if I just didn't notice her. [Vera Belousova. The Second Shot (2000)]; It smells of some kind of pickle, kvass and mold. Not that there is a barrel of cucumbers next to it, or the cabbage is fermented. [Yu. O. Dombrovsky. The Faculty of Unnecessary Things, part 1 (1978)]; Then his physical education was canceled, then the math teacher got sick... [Elena Pavlova. Together we will overcome this abyss! // "Dasha", 2004].

Of course, theoretically it is possible to have statements with the union at least... at least..., built on the model of a complex sentence: even if the sun shines, even if it rains, it doesn't matter. But in any case, such facts will be isolated. We also see the reason for this in the prototypical semantics of the structural component of this union, which focuses on the categorization of one subject with the provision of an alternative choice-desire. Therefore, it is better to transform our experimental example as follows: even if the sun shines, even if it rains, it doesn't matter. But even such a polysubjective use of the union, though... though ... is also limited. Speaking generally, in such a "behavior" of the union, at least ... at least ..., as we believe, its axiological essence is realized as a marker of desirability (see: ^{[16, pp. 91-148]}).

3.4 Text. By the textual properties of a union, we mean its ability to connect not only those sentences in front of which its components are directly located, but also larger syntactic formations, i.e. to perform the function of a textual staple. This function is secondary for unions, because it is carried out against the background of their main one – the organization of syntactic communication, but in essence it differs little from the function of primary staples, such as, thus, participating in the organization of textual connectedness ^[19]. The textual properties of single conjunctions (and, and, but, yes, or, etc.) are well known. Some multi-bedded ones also have them. For example, the union of that ... that... the function of a staple is developed to such an extent that its structural components, distancing themselves from each other, can connect not only "the limits of not only a complex syntactic whole, but also paragraphs, chapters and even larger textual associations" ^{[4, p. 48]}.

However, the union has at least ... at least ... textual properties are poorly expressed. Its structural components, together with the members of the syntactic series, are closely related to each other. At the same time, in certain contexts, in the case of a series of parcels (and such cases are not uncommon), a construction with a union at least ... at least ... can be the thematic center of a communicative and pragmatic situation presented in the form of an expanded text:

It's easy to write and even easier to say. And it is useless to follow this, because either it is in a person and then you are rightfully in your profession, or you are not — and then you are one of many. Today you're a coach, tomorrow you're a journalist, the day after tomorrow you're selling pies. Even in Moscow, even in Kargopol; at least a master, at least someone. Why else am I so confident about this? Because I know one, but I know such a fanatical chess coach. Actually, everyone knows him: the chess world is tiny – but "downwind". [Ilya Odessky. And I'm not good at it (2004) // "64 – Chess Review", 10/15/2004].

The fact that in this complex syntactic whole, a series with a union at least ... at least ... implements certain textual potencies, we see in the following: in the presence of the preceding and subsequent parts, the connectors between which are a series. At the same time, "information from the left context of the staple is not repeated in its right context, but logically follows from it" ^{[19, p. 98]}. These are all signs of the so-called attachment fastener [Ibid.]. However, this issue requires a separate, more detailed study.

4. Conclusion

The main conclusions of the study are the following.

The composition series with the union though... although ... is not a phrase in the traditional sense of the term, but the word form with which it is connected by subordinate relations should be qualified as a common member of its syntactic construction.

A number can occupy the positions of various members of a sentence, function as part of participial and adverbial turns, and also participate in the organization of additional predicativity.

The connection of the compositional series-subject with the common predicate member can be coordinated or uncoordinated. The speaker's solution to the problem lies in "agreement on meaning."

Facts of complex sentences with the union though... although... not fixed.

In the case of a parcel, the row with the union is at least... At least... It becomes the organizing center of a communicative and pragmatic situation, presented in the form of a complex syntactic whole.

A special contribution of the author to the study of the topic is the establishment of a certain correlation between the syntactic properties of the construction with the union though ... though ... and semantic features.

The novelty of the research lies in the inclusion of this study and its results in the system of an actual modern trend – the integral description of linguistic units.

We see further prospects for research in the description of the communicative and pragmatic features of the union, even... even...