CATEGORY OF NEGATION IN KAZAKH AND ENGLISH: A COMPARATIVE STUDY

Abstract

The article aims to provide a brief comparative overview of different negation patterns in Kazakh and English languages supported by the examples. The scope will be limited to the description of the negation elements and types, in order to identify similarities and differences in both languages from morphological and syntactical viewpoint. In general, the category of negation in the functional-semantic and communicative-pragmatic aspects is defined as a universal phenomenon, however, having a different structural expression in different languages. The main function of negation in both languages is to express disagreement, disapproval, dissatisfaction, prohibition, opposition, warning. Kazakh, genealogically classified as a Turkic language, has its own peculiarities in structuring negative sentences. Kazakhstani scholars differentiate synthetic and analytical forms, nuclear and peripheral forms, double negation and negation of negation. As for English, the main distinction is between constituent (or local) negation and sentential (or clausal) negation. Sentential negation typically involves negating the finite (non-lexical) verb, while constituent negation means that one of the constituents is negated without the result being a negative sentence. Comparative analysis showed the following: nuclear means of negative sentences are: in Kazakh -synthetical means, in English – analytical; in both languages there are words with negative semantics that can serve to express negation; Kazakh language belongs to the multiple-negative type, English - to the mono-negative type. The practical implications of the results can be seen in teaching English to Kazakh speakers as well as teaching Kazakh to English speakers