@article{ART003343717},
author={Hyoungsup Kim},
title={Russian Generic Second-Person Singular - General-Personal Sentences vs. Expressions of Fatalistic Modality -},
journal={Journal of Humanities},
issn={1598-8457},
year={2026},
number={101},
pages={041-075}
TY - JOUR
AU - Hyoungsup Kim
TI - Russian Generic Second-Person Singular - General-Personal Sentences vs. Expressions of Fatalistic Modality -
JO - Journal of Humanities
PY - 2026
VL - null
IS - 101
PB - Institute for Humanities
SP - 041
EP - 075
SN - 1598-8457
AB - This study examines the semantic and pragmatic properties of generalizedpersonal constructions in Russian, focusing on the role of second-person singular forms as markers of generic human reference. Although morphologically associated with the addressee, these forms frequently acquire a non-referential interpretation, especially in proverbs and conventional expressions.
The paper contrasts generalized-personal constructions with indefinite-personal constructions, showing that the former express universal human experience, while the latter refer to unspecified but concrete agents. Based on data from proverbs, colloquial expressions, and corpus observations, the study argues that the second-person singular is the most productive strategy for encoding generic meaning in Russian.
Special attention is given to expressions such as ничего не поделаешь, which reveal a close interaction between generic reference and fatalistic modality. These constructions are analyzed as modalized forms expressing inevitability and resignation.
The study concludes that the generic interpretation of second-person forms arises from the interaction of grammar, pragmatics, and discourse conventions, highlighting their central role in representing generalized human experience in Russian.
KW - Generic subject;Second person singular;Generalized-personal constructions;Russian proverbs phraseology;Slavic linguistics
DO -
UR -
ER -
Hyoungsup Kim. (2026). Russian Generic Second-Person Singular - General-Personal Sentences vs. Expressions of Fatalistic Modality -. Journal of Humanities, 101, 041-075.
Hyoungsup Kim. 2026, "Russian Generic Second-Person Singular - General-Personal Sentences vs. Expressions of Fatalistic Modality -", Journal of Humanities, no.101, pp.041-075.
Hyoungsup Kim "Russian Generic Second-Person Singular - General-Personal Sentences vs. Expressions of Fatalistic Modality -" Journal of Humanities 101 pp.041-075 (2026) : 041.
Hyoungsup Kim. Russian Generic Second-Person Singular - General-Personal Sentences vs. Expressions of Fatalistic Modality -. 2026; 101 : 041-075.
Hyoungsup Kim. "Russian Generic Second-Person Singular - General-Personal Sentences vs. Expressions of Fatalistic Modality -" Journal of Humanities no.101(2026) : 041-075.
Hyoungsup Kim. Russian Generic Second-Person Singular - General-Personal Sentences vs. Expressions of Fatalistic Modality -. Journal of Humanities, 101, 041-075.
Hyoungsup Kim. Russian Generic Second-Person Singular - General-Personal Sentences vs. Expressions of Fatalistic Modality -. Journal of Humanities. 2026; 101 041-075.
Hyoungsup Kim. Russian Generic Second-Person Singular - General-Personal Sentences vs. Expressions of Fatalistic Modality -. 2026; 101 : 041-075.
Hyoungsup Kim. "Russian Generic Second-Person Singular - General-Personal Sentences vs. Expressions of Fatalistic Modality -" Journal of Humanities no.101(2026) : 041-075.
