A Study on the Evolution of the Negative Particles "busu" and "bisi" in the Mongolian Language

Authors

Keywords:

Negative particles, Historical evolution, Busu and Bisi, Vowel alternation, Mongolian negation system, Diachronic linguistics

Abstract

This research investigates the historical evolution and developmental patterns of the Mongolian negative particles "busu" and "bisi" from a diachronic linguistic perspective. The primary objective is to systematically analyze the structural and semantic shifts of these particles by utilizing a diverse corpus of written monuments spanning different historical periods alongside contemporary linguistic data. The methodology employs a combination of statistical analysis, descriptive linguistics, and comparative historical methods to examine the forms, functions, and usage frequencies of these negative markers across various chronological stages. The findings demonstrate that "busu" and "bisi" originated from the Middle Mongolian demonstrative pronoun "busu." The study further establishes that these particles, along with the adverb "basa" (also), developed through a systematic ɑ/i/u vowel alternation, a common morphological phenomenon in Altaic languages. A critical transition is identified in the 16th century, where the intermediary form "busi" transformed into and stabilized as the modern "bisi." In the contemporary Mongolian grammatical system, these particles have evolved into postpositional negators that follow nouns and verbal nouns (participles) to negate the essential nature of entities—a process indicative of a broader cyclical shift from pre-verbal to post-nominal negation. Statistical evidence reveals that "bisi" exhibits a significantly higher frequency of use and greater grammatical flexibility compared to "busu," demonstrating more robust combinability with various nominal and verbal suffixes. By offering a systematic inquiry into these particles, this article provides a novel contribution to the understanding of the Mongolian negation system and serves as a foundational resource for future research in historical linguistics.

Монгол хэлний үгүйсгэх сул үг “busu, bisi”-ийн хувьслын судалгаа

Энэхүү өгүүлэлд монгол хэлний үгүйсгэх сул үг болох “busu(бус)” болон “bisi(биш)”-ийн түүхэн хувьсал, хөгжлийн зүй тогтлыг хэл шинжлэлийн үүднээс системтэй шинжлэн судлахыг зорив. Судалгаанд түүхэн өөр өөр цаг үеийн бичгийн дурсгал болон орчин цагийн хэлний баримт хэрэглэгдэхүүнд тулгуурлан статистик шинжилгээ, дүрслэн тайлбарлах болон харьцуулан судлах аргуудыг ашиглав. Үүгээр нэгэн сул үгийн түүхэн өөр өөр үе дэх хэлбэр, утга, хэрэглээг харьцуулан шинжиллээ. Судалгааны үр дүнд “busu~bisi” нь Дундад зууны монгол хэлний заах төлөөний үг “busu”-аас хувьсан гарсан бөгөөд “basa”(бас)-ийн хамт ɑ/i/u эгшгийн сэлгэцээр бүтэж салбарласан болохыг тогтоов. XVI зууны үеэс“busi” хэлбэр нь“bisi” болон хувирч тогтворжсоныг баримтаар тодорхойлсон. Орчин цагийн монгол хэлний түвшинд эдгээр сул үгс нь нэр үг болон үйл нэрийн дараа орж, юмс үзэгдлийн мөн чанарыг ялган үгүйсгэх үүрэгтэйг нотоллоо. Хэрэглээний давтамжийн хувьд “bisi” нь илүү өндөр, хэл зүйн хорших чадварын хувьд илүү уян хатан шинжтэй байгааг илрүүлэв. Тус өгүүлэл нь үгүйсгэх сул үгийг түүхэн хувьслын өнцгөөс системтэй судалснаараа монгол хэлний үгүйсгэх тогтолцооны судалгаанд шинэлэг тал болж буй бөгөөд цаашдын гүнзгийрүүлсэн судалгааны хэрэглэгдэхүүн болох ач холбогдолтой.

Түлхүүр үг: Монгол хэл, үгүйсгэх сул үг, бус, биш, хувирал өөрчлөлт

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Author Biographies

Terigele, Department of Afro-Asian Languages, School of Oriental Languages, Jilin University of Foreign Languages, Changchun, PRC

Teacher, Master of Arts (M.A.),

Azjargal Munkhbat, Department of Afro-Asian Languages, School of Oriental Languages, Jilin University of Foreign Languages, Changchun, PRC

Associate Professor, Doctor (Ph.D)

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Published

2026-06-05

How to Cite

A Study on the Evolution of the Negative Particles "busu" and "bisi" in the Mongolian Language. (2026). Mongolian Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 11(22), 8-26. https://doi.org/10.69542/mjhss.v11i22.4964

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How to Cite

A Study on the Evolution of the Negative Particles "busu" and "bisi" in the Mongolian Language. (2026). Mongolian Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 11(22), 8-26. https://doi.org/10.69542/mjhss.v11i22.4964