Evolutions of Inflectional Forms of Old Belarusian Adjectives (Based on the Grand Duchy of Lithuania Chronicles)

Abstract

The article is devoted to the inflectional forms old Belarusian adjectives. As a source of research material, two monuments of the 16th–18th centuries were used, representing the first (the Chronicle of Suprasl) and the last (the Chronicle of Bychowiec) editions of the Chronicles of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Chronicle literature reflects the condition of the living language of that period better than religious works subordinated to the canons of Church Slavonic tradition. The aim of the research is the analysis of the development of inflectional forms of adjectives with particular attention to similarities and differences in reference to the Ruthenian condition. Forms of adjectives have been selected and compared to paradigms of the earlier period. It has been established that inflectional system of adjectives took into consideration both the advanced process of phasing-out of non-complex inflexion (nominal) and the promotion of complex inflection (pronominal). Within its framework, old features referring to the Church Slavonic language have been documented, although at the same time, features of the nature of Belarusian innovations have been very clearly marked. Inflectional system of adjectives (especially The Chronicle of Bychowiec) preserved some regional features which indicate references to the south-western Belarusian dialects. These phenomena may help to establish the location of the monument or the place of origin of its author.