GENESIS OF THE TERM INFINITIVE AND ITS MODERN RECEPTION

Ninа Yatsenkо

Information about the author:  

Candidate of Philological Sciences, Senior Researcher of the Department of Grammar and Scientific Terminology, Institute of the Ukrainian Language of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8393-4615

e-mail: n.yats@ukr.net

https://doi.org/10.37919/2221-8807-2025-8-16

Title: GENESIS OF THE TERM INFINITIVE AND ITS MODERN RECEPTION

Rubric: TERMINOLOGY OF LINGUISTICS. THEORY OF TERMINOGRAPHY AND PRACTICE OF BRANCH DICTIONARIES

Abstract: The article analyses the formation of the term infinitive in the Ukrainian language. It is emphasised that the development of the Ukrainian written and literary language and the expansion of its functional spheres occurred in the 16th and 17th centuries. It was during this period that the grammatical system, in particular the verb as a complex multi-level category, attracted the attention of scholars such as Lavrentii Zyzanii, Meletii Smotrytskyi, and others.
The group of scientific terminology of the Institute of Ukrainian Language of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine is currently working in the historical and terminological direction, processing sources for the compilation of the ‘Historical dictionary of linguistic terminology’. The proposed article has the same focus ‒ to analyse the term infinitive in the Ukrainian language in its diachronic and synchronic dimension. In terms of its functional capabilities, it is basic both for the verb part of speech and grammar in general.
The origin of the term from the Late Latin infinitivus and its equivalents in Western European languages is clarified. The genesis of the term is traced back to the earliest grammars (Smotrytskyi, Pavlovskyi). The results of the study of scientific sources of the 16th ‒ 20th centuries are systematised depending on the functioning of the term infinitive in them. The diachronic lexical, semantic and accentual variants of the term are described, and it is compared with the corresponding modern terms.
Particular attention is paid to the fact that, given the verb-noun nature of the infinitive, the problem of its status in the system of parts of speech is interpreted rather ambiguously in scientific sources. In the Ukrainian morphological terminology, the term indefinite form of the verb is used in parallel with the above, according to the sources we have identified. The syntactic role of the infinitive is traced, in particular, the function of the main and secondary members of the sentence.
The emphasis is placed on the remarks made by K.H. Horodenska at the presentation of the publication ‘Language Commentary to the Constitution of Ukraine and Other Regulatory Acts’ (April, 2025): ‘The use of verbal nouns in scientific, official and business styles of speech requires their replacement with infinitives’.
It is emphasised that the genesis of the terms infinitive and indefinite verb form as the initial form of the verb has its own special significance related to their correct and appropriate use in different styles of the modern Ukrainian language.

Keywords: infinitive, indefinite verb form, etymology, synchrony and diachrony, syntactic role, scientific style.

References:

Baіmut, T.V. (1958). Ways of emergence, development and establishment of the grammatical terminology of Eastern Slavs. Philological collection of the Zhytomyr Pedagogical Institute dedicated to the 4th International Congress of Slavists. Zhytomyr (in Rus.).

Baimut T.V. (2014). Historical Dictionary of Ukrainian Grammatical Terminology. Selected Scientific Works (pp. 173–202). Nizhyn: Aspekt-Polihraf (in Ukr.).

Vykhovanets, I., & Horodenska, K. (2004). Theoretical morphology of the Ukrainian Language. Kyiv: Universytetske vydavnytstvo “Pulsary” (in Ukr.).

Horda, O.M. (2016). Formation and development of word-forming terminology in Halychyna school grammars of the Ukrainian language (second half of the 19th – beginning of the 20th century) [Unpublished candidate’s thesis, Ivan Franko National University of Lviv]. Lviv (in Ukr.).

Horodenska, K.H. (2017). Grammar of the modern Ukrainian literary language. Morphology. Kyiv: Vydavnychyi dim Dmytra Buraho (in Ukr.).

Kazymyrova, I.А. (2016). Ukrainian linguistic terminology in the works of A.Yu. Krymskyi: traditions and innovation. Ukrainian language, 1, 3–12 (in Ukr.).

Kozelko, I.R. (2019). Linguistic terminology V. Simovych in the context of grammars of the end of the 19th – the first half of the 20th century [Extended abstract of candidate’s thesis, Ivan Franko National University of Lviv]. Lviv (in Ukr.).

Moskalenko, N.A. (1959). Essay on the history of Ukrainian grammatical terminology. Kyiv: Radianska shkola (in Ukr.).

Nimchuk, V.V. (1985). Linguistics in Ukraine in the XIV-XVII centuries. Kyiv: Naukova dumka (in Ukr.).

Synytsia, І.A. (2024). The history of the terms affix and prefix in the Ukrainian language. Ukrainian languag, 4, 79–95 (in Ukr.).

Turovska, L.V. (2012). Historical terminology in Ukrainian at the end of the 20th – beginning of the 21 st century. Ukrainian language, 2, 67–69 (in Ukr.).

Yakymovych-Chapran, D.B. (2009). Vocabulary for the designation of scientific concepts from linguistics in monuments of the Ukrainian language of the XVI–XVII centuries [Extended abstract of candidate’s thesis, Ivan Franko National University of Lviv]. Lviv (in Ukr.).

Yarorshevych, I.A. (2010). Ukrainian morphological terminology of the 20th – early 21st centuries. Kyiv: Kyiv. nats. ekon. un-t im. V. Hetmana (in Ukr.).

Yatsenko, N.O. (2023). Dynamics of linguistic lexicon of Vasyl Simovych: in search of “it” and “stranger”. Ukrainian language, 3, 44–57 (in Ukr.).

Legends:

Верхр., 1902 – Verkhratskyi, I. (1902). About the dialect of the Galician Lemkos. Lviv (in Ukr).

Вихованець, 2004 – Vykhovanets, I. & Horodenska, K. (2004). Theoretical morphology of the Ukrainian Language. Kyiv: Universytetske vydavnytstvo “Pulsary” (in Ukr.).

Вовк, 1930 – Vovk, A. (1930). Verbal nouns of the genitive case with the suffix -к- in comparison with other verbal nouns. Collection of the section of the grammar of the Ukrainian language, 1 (in Ukr.).

Возняк, 1911 – Vozniak, M.C. (1911). Galician grammars of the Ukrainian language in the first half of the nineteenth century. Lviv (in Ukr.).

Головацький, 1849 – Holovatskyi,Ya. (1849). A grammar of the Rusian language. Lviv (in Ukr.).

Граматика 2017 – Horodenska, K.H. (2017). Grammar of the modern Ukrainian literary language. Morphology. Kyiv: Vydavnychyi dim Dmytra Buraho (in Ukr.).

Грунскій, 1918 – Hrunskyi, M. (1918). Ukrainian Grammar. Kyiv (in Ukr.).

Грунський, 1929 – Hrunskyi, M. (1929). Fundamentals of the new Ukrainian orthography. Kyiv: Derzhrest “Kyiv-Druk” (in Ukr.).

Грунський, 1941 – Hrunskyi, M., & Коvаliоv, P. Essays of the history Ukrainian language. Lviv: Ukrvidav (in Ukr.).

Дячан, 1865 – Diachan, P. (1865). Methodical grammar of the Little Russian language. Lviv (in Ukr.).

ЕСУМ 2 – Melnychuk, O.S. (Ed.) (Eds.). (1982–2012). Etymological dictionary of the Ukrainian language. (Vol 1–7). Vol. 2. [Д–K]. Kyiv, 1985). Kyiv: Naukova dumka (in Ukr.).

Жовтобрюх, 1972 – Zhovtobriukh, M.A. (1972). Соurse of modern Ukrainian literary language. Kyiv: Naukova dumka (in Ukr.).

Загнітко, 2020 – Zahnitko, A.P. (2020). Modern Dictionary of Linguistics. Vinnytsia: «Tvory» (in Ukr.).

Загродський, 1946 – Zagrodskyi, A.O. (1946). Ukrainian Grammar. Kyiv: Radianska shkola (in Ukr.).

Ізюмов, 1931 – Iziumov, O. (1931). Orthographic dictionary. Kharkiv: Radianska shkola (in Ukr.).

КГЗ, 1906 – Zaloznyi, P.F. (1906). Short grammar of the Ukrainian language. Part 1. Poltava: Elektrychna drukarnia H.I. Markevycha (in Ukr.).

КГЗ, 1912 – Zaloznyi, P.F. (1912). Short grammar of the Ukrainian language. Part 1. Kyiv: Drukarnia A.I. Hrosmana (in Ukr.).

КГЗ, 1917 – Zaloznyi, P.F. (191). Short grammar of the Ukrainian language. Part 1. Kyiv: Druk.1 kyyivs’koi Drukars’koi Spilky (in Ukr.).

КГЗ, 1918 – Zaloznyi, P.F. (1918). Short grammar of the Ukrainian language. Part 1. Kyiv: Vydavnytstvo Iv. Samonenka (in Ukr.).

Ковалів, 1946 – Kovaliv, P. (1946). Grammar of the Ukrainian language. Munich: Drukarnia Dmytra Sazhyna (in Ukr.).

Коц., Огон., 1894 – Kotsovskyі, V., & Ohonovskyі, І. (Eds.). (1894). Methodical grammar of the Russian language for 4th grade of 5th and 6th grade schools. Lviv: Nakladnia vyd-va shkilnykh knyzhok (in Ukr.).

Коц., Огон., 1904 – Kotsovskyі, V., & Ohonovskyі, І. (1904). Methodical grammar of the Russian language (2nd ed.). Lviv: Nakladnia vyd-va shkilnykh knyzhok (in Ukr.).

Курило, 1924 – Kurylo, O. (1924). Phonetic and some morphological features of the dialect of the village of Khorobrychiv: formerly of Horodnianskyi district, now of Snovsky district in Chernihiv region. All-Ukrainian Academy of Sciences (in Ukr.).

Курило, 1928 – Kurylo, O. (1928) Materials for Ukrainian dialectology and folklore studies. All-Ukrainian Academy of Sciences (in Ukr. ).

Левицький, 1923 – Levytskyi, M. (1923?). Ukrainian grammar for self-study (3rd ed., revised and supplemented). Ukrainian publishing house in Katerynoslav (in Ukr.).

МК, 2025 – Language commentary to the Constitution of Ukraine and other normative acts. Kharkiv: Pravo (in Ukr).

Lewicki, 1834 – Lewicki, J. (1834). Grammatik der ruthenischen oder klein russischen Sprache in Galizien (Mit einer Kupfertafel). Przemysl: Gedruckt in der griech. kath. Bishoflichen Buchdruckerey (in German).

Мурський, 1918 – Mursky, V. (1918). Short grammar of the Ukrainian language for schools and self-study. Etymology – Syntax (2nd ed.) (in Ukr.).

Наконечний, 1928 – Nakonechnyi, M.F. (1928). Ukrainian language. Kharkiv: Rukh (in Ukr.).

Неврлі, 1937 – Nevrli, Ya. (1937). Grammar and spelling of the Ukrainian language. Vol. I. Phonetics and morphology. Uzhhorod: Drukarnia “Vyktoriia” (in. Ukr).

Нечуй-Левіцький, 1913 – Nechui-Levitskyi, I. (1913). Grammar of the Ukrainian Language. Vol. I. Etymology. Kyiv: Drukarnia Druhoi Artili (in Ukr.).

Огієнко, 1908 – Ohiіenko, I. (1908). Ukrainian grammatical terminology. Historical dictionary of Ukrainian grammatical terminology with a preface about the history of its development. Kyiv: Drukarnia I-oi Kyivskoi Druk. spilky (in Ukr.).

Огієнко, 1909 – Ohiіenko, I. (1909). Historical dictionary of Ukrainian grammatical terminology. Notes of the Ukrainian Scientific Society in Kyiv, IV. (in Ukr.).

Огієнко, 1935 – Ohiienko, I. (1935). Syntax of the Ukrainian language. Introduction to the study of syntax. Zhovkva: Drukarnia oo. Vasyliian (in Ukr.).

О. Івах, Б.А., 1943 – Ivakh, O., B. A. (1943). The key to the language. Short Grammar of the Ukrainian language. Vynnypeh (in Ukr.).

Ог. Хр., 1881 – Ohonovskyі, О. (1881). Old Rusian chrestomathy for high classes in gymnasiums. Lviv (in Ukr.).

Осадца, 1862 – Osadtsa, M. (1862). Grammar of the Russian language. Lviv: V pechatni Instituta Stavropihiiskoho (in Ukr.).

Павловський, 1818 – Pavlovskyi, А. (1818). Grammar of the language of the Little Russian dialect or Grammatical indication of the ultimate differences that distinguish the Little Russian dialect from pure Russian language. Spb (in Rus.).

Панькевич, 1936 – Pankevych, I. (1936). Rusian language grammar for secondary and urban schools (3d ed.). Prаhа (in Ukr.).

Партицький, 1873 – Partytskyi, O. (1873). Russian grammar for use in folk schools in Galicia. Lviv (in Ukr.).

Рудницький, 1949 – Rudnytskyi, Ya. (1949). Ukrainian orthography (3d ed.). Vinnipeg: Komitet ukraintsiv Kanady (in Ukr.).

Селіванова, 2006 – Selivanova, О.О. (2006). Modern linguistics. Terminological encyclopedia. Poltava: Dovkillia-K. (in Ukr.).

Сімович, 1918 – Simovych, V.I. (1918). Practical Ukrainian grammar. Rashtat: Vydannia Tovarystva “Ukraїnskyi Rukh” (in Ukr.).

Сімович, 1921 – Simovych, V.I. (1921). Grammar of the Ukrainian language for self-study and as an aid to school science. Kyiv – Leipzig (in Ukr.).

См.-Ст., Ґарт., 1914 – Smal-Stotskyi, S., & Gartner, F. (1914). Grammar of the Russian language. Third revised edition. Vienna (in Ukr.).

Смеречинський, 1932 – Smerechynskyi, S. (1932). Essays on Ukrainian syntax (in connection with phraseology and stylistics). Kharkiv: Radianska shkola (in Ukr.).

Смотрицький, 1619 – Smotrytskyi, М. (1979). Slavic Grammar (Facsimile edition) (V.V. Nimchuk, Ed.). Kyiv: Naukova Dumka (Original work published 1619) (in Ukr.).

Тимченко, 1917 – Tymchenko, Ye.K. (1917). Ukrainian Grammar. Kyiv: Vydavnytstvo tovarystva “Chas” (in Ukr.).

Шерех, 1951 – Sherekh Yurii (1951). Essay on modern Ukrainian literary language. Munich: Molode zhyttia (in Ukr.).

Шерстюк, 1907 – Sherstiuk, H.P. (1907). Short grammar for school (Vol. 1). Poltava: Ukraїnskyi uchytel (in Ukr.).

Шевчук, 1934 – Shevchuk, А. (1934). Ukrainian Grammar (Vol. 1). Kharkiv; Kyiv: Radianska shkola (in Ukr.).

Wagilewicz, 1845 – Wagilewicz, J. (1845). Grammatyka języka maloruskiego w Galicii. Lwów: Instytut Staropugiański (in Polish).

УМЕ, 2007 – Rusanivskyi, V.M., & Taranenko, O.O. (Eds.) [et al]. Ukrainian language. Encyclopaedia. (2007).  (3d ed.). Kyiv: “Ukrainska entsyklopediia” im. M.P. Bazhana (in Ukr.).

УП, 2019 – Ukrainian orthography. (2019). Kyiv: Naukova dumka (in Ukr.).