Binominal Constructions with Instrumental N₂ in Russian: Pir goroj i piva rekoj
Abstract
This paper examines Russian [N₁ N₂.ins] constructions such as dožd’ stenoj, lit. ‘rain [falling] like a wall’ (i.e. ‘torrential rain’), where the instrumental noun maps metaphorical manner meanings onto N₁. Unlike genitive binominals such as stena doždja ‘a wall of rain’, where N₁ acts as a classifier, the instrumental pattern encodes manner-based similitude via implicit predicates. The study identifies a lexicalization gradient from productive uses to fixed idioms and compares these constructions with Italian counterparts to highlight cross-linguistic syntactic differences and similarities. Ultimately, the research shows how meaning is constructionally mediated through specific syntactic configurations.
Presentato: 13 Dicembre 2025 | Accettato: 16 Gennaio 2026 | Pubblicato Prossimamente | Lingua: en
Keywords Manner-based similitude • Russian instrumental binominal constructions • Russian genitive binominal constructions • Italian a-phrase construction • Metaphorical mapping
Copyright © 2025 Valentina Benigni, Luisa Ruvoletto. This is an open-access work distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction is permitted, provided that the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. The license allows for commercial use. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
Permalink http://doi.org/10.30687/BES/2785-3187/2025/01/001