СРАВНЕНИЕ В ЭПИЧЕСКИХ СКАЗАНИЯХ ЭВЕНОВ

The article examines the expression, functioning, and characteristics of comparisons in the epic tales of the Even people. The relevance of this work is due to the lack of research on comparisons in Even Studies. The novelty of the research lies in the fact that it provides the first analysis and systematization of Even comparisons. The aim of the work was to describe comparisons within the framework of Even epic tales. To achieve this aim, the following tasks were set: to identify, systematize, and characterize Even comparisons. The primary method used was description, employing techniques of observation, generalization, and interpretation. The theoretical foundation of the research was based on the works of Russian scholars such as V. V. Vinogradov, S. I. Ozhegov, E. V. Gulyga, E. I. Shendels, A. Wierzbicka, A. V. Vaganov, E. V. Kyrzhinakova, and V. I. Kharabaeva. The material included epic narratives from published sources. The study identified the ways of expressing Even comparisons: comparisons expressed morphologically (by adding the suffix -gchin), lexically (using postpositions such as uréchin ‘1. similar, alike; 2. similarly, as, equally, in the same way, just like’ and urémekén ‘alike’, dyn ‘size, magnitude’); and syntactically (with noun constructions). The functions of comparisons in Even tales include depicting the appearance of characters, their actions, describing locations, and conveying quantities and sizes. The benchmarks in Even comparisons are images from the surrounding reality: celestial bodies, natural phenomena, objects of nature, animals, birds, insects, household items, and more. In Even epic tales, comparisons frequently appear in the description of the appearance of negative characters, heroic figures, and their actions. Comparisons are used to highlight key details and add vividness to the narrative. In the future, it seems pertinent to identify and analyze the full potential of linguistic means used to express comparative relationships in the Even language. A comprehensive study of implicit comparisons will make a significant contribution to Even Studies.