The usage of derivational affixes in kutadgu bilig and their equivalents in kazakh turkic

Аннотация

This article explores the derivational suffixes found in Kutadgu Bilig and their equivalents in the Kazakh language. The primary aim of the study is to analyze how these historical affixes function in the context of the Old Turkic language and how similar structures are used in modern Kazakh. The research is based on a comparative and descriptive method, focusing on semantic and structural parallels. The study also highlights the cultural and linguistic continuity within Turkic languages, demonstrating the preservation and transformation of suffixes across centuries. This analysis contributes to a deeper understanding of the historical development of the Kazakh language and its connection to classical Turkic heritage. Keywords: Kutadgu Bilig, derivational suffixes, Kazakh language, Old Turkic, comparative analysis. Introduction. The study of historical Turkic texts plays a significant role in understanding the development of modern Turkic languages, particularly Kazakh. One of the most prominent works of Old Turkic literature is Kutadgu Bilig, written by Yusuf Khass Hajib in the 11th century. This literary masterpiece not only reflects the sociopolitical and ethical values of the Karakhanid period but also serves as a rich linguistic resource that contains numerous examples of derivational suffixes. In Turkic linguistics, derivational suffixes are essential in word formation and semantic expansion. Through suffixation, new nouns, adjectives, and verbs are derived, enabling a deeper exploration of language structure and function. The aim of this paper is to examine the derivational suffixes found in Kutadgu Bilig and compare them with their modern Kazakh equivalents. Such 99 STUDENTLERDI BIRLESTIRIW: XALÍQARALÍQ IZERTLEWLER HÁM PÁNLER BOYINSHA BIRGE ISLESIW 1-XALÍQARALÍQ STUDENTLER KONFERENCIYASÍ. NÓKIS, 2025-JÍL 20-21-MAY comparison sheds light on the diachronic development of word formation in the Turkic language family and helps preserve the linguistic heritage of the Kazakh people. The research employs a comparative-descriptive method to identify structural and semantic parallels between the suffixes used in the 11th century and those present in contemporary Kazakh. The relevance of this study lies in its contribution to historical linguistics, as well as its potential to support language education and identity through deeper understanding of etymological roots. Theoretical Background The study of Kutadgu Bilig has attracted the attention of numerous scholars in the fields of Turkology and historical linguistics. As a work composed in the Karakhanid period, it provides valuable insight into the lexical, morphological, and syntactic features of Old Turkic. Scholars such as Radloff, Dankoff, and Erdal have emphasized the importance of this text not only as a political and ethical guide but also as a linguistic reference point for Turkic languages. One of the key areas of linguistic interest in Kutadgu Bilig is the system of derivational suffixes, which play a vital role in word formation. These suffixes allow for the creation of nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs, and reflect a systematic approach to the development of meaning. In modern Kazakh, many of these suffixes have either been preserved or transformed, offering a direct link to the language’s historical roots. The theoretical foundation for this study is based on the morphological approach to language analysis, particularly the theory of derivation in agglutinative languages. According to this theory, suffixes are used to expand the semantic scope of root words without altering their core meaning. This approach enables the tracing of suffix evolution from Old Turkic to modern Kazakh, establishing a linguistic continuum within the Turkic language family. Previous studies have largely focused on the grammatical and syntactic aspects of Kutadgu Bilig, but fewer have conducted a detailed comparison of its derivational morphology with modern Turkic languages. This study aims to fill that gap by focusing specifically on derivational suffixes and their Kazakh counterparts. Analysis. This section presents a comparative analysis of selected derivational suffixes found in Kutadgu Bilig and their equivalents in the modern Kazakh language. Each suffix is examined in terms of its morphological structure, function, and meaning. 1. –lig / –lıq / –lik / –lük This suffix, widely used in Kutadgu Bilig, is a typical adjective-forming suffix that adds the meaning of “having” or “possessing” a certain quality. Example: bilgülig – ‘knowledgeable’ (bilgü – knowledge + lig) Kazakh equivalent: білімді (білім + -ді) Both suffixes serve a similar function by forming adjectives that describe a person with a particular quality. 2. –sız / –siz / –sus / –süs This is a negative suffix indicating absence or lack of something. Example: aŋsız – ‘unconscious, ignorant’ (aŋ – understanding + sız) Kazakh equivalent: ақылсыз (ақыл + -сыз) The suffix -сыз is directly preserved in Kaza