Etymology of Semantically Obscure Words in the Composition of Fixed Expressions

Authors

  • Botagoz M. Suiyerkul

    Institute for the Development of the State Language, Almaty 050026, Kazakhstan
  • Abdizhalel A. Akkuzov

    Institute for the Development of the State Language, Almaty 050026, Kazakhstan
  • Meruyert Z. Shakenova

    Institute for the Development of the State Language, Almaty 050026, Kazakhstan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v7i11.11575
Received: 10 August 2025 | Revised: 1 September 2025 | Accepted: 9 September 2025 | Published Online: 22 October 2025

Abstract

This article explores the etymology of archaic words embedded in Kazakh phraseological units, emphasizing that it is insufficient to analyze only their figurative meanings in modern usage. Many fixed expressions retain lexical elements whose original senses have become obscure, yet these components are crucial for understanding the full semantic and cultural content of the idioms. The research applies the historical-comparative method, drawing on Old Turkic inscriptions, medieval sources, explanatory dictionaries, and comparative data from related Turkic languages. Words such as jürek  (“heart”), arqa süieu (“to rely on the back”), bauyr (“liver, kin”), and tüiemūryndyq (“camel nose rope”) are examined to uncover their earliest meanings and subsequent semantic developments. The study also includes an empirical component carried out with first-year students of Kazakh philology, who were tasked with interpreting the meanings of obscure words in idioms, consulting historical works, and comparing them with contemporary dictionary definitions. This exercise showed that while some students could successfully identify the literal and figurative meanings, many struggled with words like tüiemūryndyq, highlighting the need for etymological awareness in language study. The findings confirm that investigating obscure components of phraseological units reveals not only the lexical evolution of Kazakh but also its broader ethnolinguistic and cultural worldview. Etymological research thus plays a vital role in preserving the national code, deepening the understanding of cultural memory, and ensuring the accurate transmission of idiomatic meanings to future generations.

Keywords:

Phraseology; Archaic Word; Etymology; Historical-Comparative Method; National Worldview

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How to Cite

Suiyerkul, B. M., Akkuzov, A. A., & Shakenova, M. Z. (2025). Etymology of Semantically Obscure Words in the Composition of Fixed Expressions. Forum for Linguistic Studies, 7(11), 715–727. https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v7i11.11575

Issue

Vol. 7 , Iss. 11 (November 2025)

Article Type

Article

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Copyright © 2025 Botagoz M. Suiyerkul, Abdizhalel A. Akkuzov, Meruyert Z. Shakenova

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This is an open access article under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) License.