Origin, Development, and Tendency of Grammatical Case Suffixes of Mongolic Languages and Dialects

Abstract In this article, we present the results of a comparative study on inflexional suffixes involved in the grammatical construction of nouns and verbs in nine Mongolic languages: Mongolian, Oirat, Buryat, Monguor, Mogul, Dagur, Dongxiang, Bonan, and East Yugur, as well as in some dialects. To understand any lingustic phenomenon, it is essential to study it at both synchronic and sequential levels. That said, the fundamental issue remains the dialectic unity of analysis. Accordingly, in our study, we have collected linguistic materials relating to Mongolian languages and dialects and examined them both synchronically and sequentially, that is, by comparing and analyzing them from a historical perspective, in order to determine future trends in their development. Although eight grammatical cases have traditionally been defined and described, a comprehensive analysis of Mongolian languages and dialects identifies 12 cases in active use. Suffixes are derived from independent words and root syllables or from word-forming suffixes. As they evolved, particularly during the Middle Mongolian period, they lost their status as authentic words and, in modern times, have become morphemes. Quantitatively, grammatical case suffixes have increased in number through a process of ramification. At the same time, in their meanings have become more clearly defined and precise. In terms of form, suffixes have followed the linguistic principle of abbreviation, and have often been reduced to a single phoneme (usually a consonant) carrying grammatical meaning. On the other hand, the meaning and function of each suffix have expanded. New suffixes, formed from independent words, came to share some of the functions and meanings of older ones. In this way, the twofold process of language development has continued to the present day, in accordance with General Systems Theory.