Lexical-Semantic Analysis of Socio-Political Lexemes in the Altïn Orda Khan Tokhtamysh’s yarlïğ to Grand Duke Jogaila

Abstract

The article examines the language of the historical document, Yarlïğ, the message from Altïn Orda (The Golden Horde) Khan Toktamysh to the Grand Duke of Lithuania and then King of Poland, Wladyslaw Jogaila, which was published approximately in 1393. In the era of Altïn Orda, Jochid rulers issued many decrees and messages both for internal affairs and external relations. These decrees and messages contain rich historical and linguistic information. During the rule of Altïn Orda, there is a significant part of these letters were written in the Kipchak language. The study of the linguistic system of these edicts and decrees, particularly the lexical semantics, is relevant and necessary for Turkic studies. The article aims to examine the socio-political lexemes of the document, reveal their semantic potentials in syntagmatic and paradigmatic relations, and mark word-forming associative units as a part of the semantic field based on the text. To accomplish the purposes, the author also uses etymological and comparative methods. The study on the semantics of the Yarlïğ makes it possible to interpret the cultural and socio-political situation of the Eurasia Steppe under the rule of Altïn Orda from a new perspective.